Named in 10 known lawsuits, $342,500 total settlements.
Wrenn, Roy et Al vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 23CV08968,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, February 8, 2024
Complaint
Description: In 2006, a black man in a hoody entered the Plaintiff 1's apartment lobby and brandished a firearm at Plaintiff 1. Plaintiff 1 ran in fear of his life and the man began chasing Plaintiff, never identifying himself as a police officer. As Plaintiff was running, someone identified themselves as police and Plaintiff 1 laid down on the floor, and an officer hit Plaintiff in the back of his head with a firearm. No contraband was found in a strip search but Plaintiff 1 was placed under arrest anyway without probable cause. In the police van, Defendant Police Officer Jerry Bowens planted drugs in Plaintiff 1's vicinity and used this as evidence to falsely arrest and charge Plaintiff 1.
In 2006, Plaintiff 2 was stand...
Simms, Michael vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 535675/2023,
Supreme Court - Kings, December 14, 2023, ended July 1, 2025
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff's complaint is against defendants officers Jason Arbeeny, Michael Arenella, Michael Bergman, Jerry Bowens, Richard Danese, Sasha Diaz, Michael Foder, Richard Hall, Sean Johnstone, Admir Kacamakovic, Eddie Martins, Oscar Sandino, and Henry Tavarez. P (together the "defendants"). Plaintiff pleaded guilty to drug charges without being told that his accusers were tainted and incredible. This resulted in unjust convictions which negatively impacted the plaintiff including the denial of housing, benefits, employment opportunitites and family reunion.
A 2022 investigation revealed serious misconduct by the defendants. As a result of this investigation writs of error coram novis convicting 378 people were v...
Durham, Ifeanyi, et Al vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 21CV00822,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, February 23, 2021, ended October 20, 2021
$30,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 29, 2018 at approximately 10 pm, plaintiffs Durham and Cinque, who had been lawfully out in the streets, were chased by defendant Danese, then knocked to the ground and dragged as they stood with their hands up in surrender, seized, cuffed, searched, and taken to the precinct for processing even though they had committed no crime. Plaintiffs did not resist and did not behave in a manner that endangered others. Danese arrested plaintiffs and transported them to a police precinct. Plantiffs were transported to Central Booking and arraigned on charges based on fabricated claims by defendant that were communicated to the District Attorney's Office; all charges were later dismissed and sealed.
Newton, Zantanesha, et Al vs Danese, Richard D., et al.
Case # 514757/2017,
Supreme Court - Kings, September 6, 2017, ended January 18, 2018
$35,000 Settlement
Dennis, Darrell vs City of New York et al.
Case # 510385/2016,
Supreme Court - Kings, June 30, 2016, ended April 4, 2017
$77,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On July 28th, 2015, the Plaintiff was walking outside when he stopped to greet friends on his way to the bodega. The Plaintiff was approached by a police officer who requested to see identification. While the Plaintiff was asking about the legal requirement to carry identification, he was handcuffed and thrown in the back of a police van by 3 other officers. While in the van, Plaintiff was kneed in his neck, back, and punched repeatedly in the face and/or body. While being transported to the 79th precinct, Plaintiff was placed in a chokehold. The officers did not have an arrest warrant or probable cause to believe a crime had been committed. They nonetheless arrested the Plaintiff. At the precinct, the Plaintif...
Weatherspoon, Darrell vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV04971,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, September 2, 2014, ended February 3, 2016
$50,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On October 25, 2012, plaintiff was walking on the street when he was stopped by an officer for no apparent reason. When plaintiff asked why he was being stopped, the officer told him to shut up and show his ID. Plaintiff attempted to call 311 to make a complaint against the officer. The officer then grabbed plaintiff's arm and twisted it in such a way to cause extreme pain. The officer then handcuffed plaintiff and took him to a precinct. When plaintiff was taken to central booking,
Jordan, Moesha vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV01876,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, April 3, 2014, ended September 9, 2014
$20,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On September 19, 2012, plaintiff sat on the stairs of her apartment building in Brooklyn, speaking with neighbors. Defendant POs Kaufman and Mohammed, told plaintiff she had to leave. Plaintiff told defendant Officers she lived in the building.
Defendant Officer Kaufman took out handcuffs and grabbed plaintiff, pushed her against a wall causing her pain in her back and fear for the health of her unborn child. Plaintiff was arrested and taken to Woodhull Hospital via ambulance.
At Woodhull Hospital, plaintiff was treated for lower back pain and examined for
injuries to her unborn child. After her release from Woodhull Hospital, plaintiff was transported to the 79th precinct in Brooklyn. On September 20, 2012, p...
Pajoohi, Ashkahn vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV01937,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, April 3, 2014, ended March 12, 2015
$55,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On July 21, 2013, Mr. Pajoohi (Plaintiff) was inside his home at 48 Madison St.,
Brooklyn, NY with his wife and young daughter. At approximately 10:30PM, Mr. Pajoohi awoke to the sound of banging on his front door. Frightened, Mr. Pajoohi instructed his family to stay in their rooms and he walked to his front door. The officers had repeatedly kicked the front door causing damage to the door and the chain locks. Mr. Pajoohi slowly opened his front door and observed two uniformed police officers. The officers angrily demanded entry into his home. Mr. Pajoohi explained that everything was fine and his family was sleeping. The officer told Mr. Pajoohi that if he didn’t allow them entry he would “kick his teeth in”....
Dutchin, Michelle vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV06874,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, December 6, 2013, ended June 17, 2014
$55,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On August 23, 2012, plaintiff was on the sidewalk near her home at 272 Kosciuszko, Brooklyn, NY. Plaintiff was with a friend and several of his family members. The friend experienced an adverse physical reaction outside his home nearby. Friend's grandmother lead him in the house when Danese and Elliassen, drove by and approached the group. Officers were advised they were not needed and the friend would be taken by family to the ER. Defendants ignored requests to be left alone and radioed an ambulance. Upon arrival, EMS personnel grabbed friend against his will and tried to forcibly remove him. Friend pushed the EMS worker away which prompted defendants to radio for back-up. Fifty officers arrived, causing pand...
Thomas, Latisha vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 12CV05061,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, October 19, 2012, ended April 10, 2014
$20,000 Settlement