Named in 4 known lawsuits, $57,000 total settlements.
Mascellino, Giuseppe vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 150374/2019,
Supreme Court - Richmond, March 13, 2019, ended November 14, 2022
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about January 6, 2017, Plaintiff was wrongfully pulled over in his vehicle and unlawfully searched, seized, detained and arrested by Officers Philip Vaccarino, John Mattina, Paul Farella and other unidentified officers, without probable cause or justification. During the arrest, Officers Vaccarino, Mattina and Farella used excessive force against Plaintiff. Plaintiff was charged with possession of controlled substance.
Plaintiff was incarcerated for approximately 7 hours and had to make numerous court appearances. On or about June 14, 2017, all charges were dismissed. As a result, Plaintiff sustained personal, physical and emotional injuries and losses.
Freese, Robert vs Sergeant Mattina, John, et al.
Case # 17CV04390,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, August 15, 2017, ended August 23, 2018
$2,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On November 16, 2016, Plaintiff was driving in his sister vehicle before he was stopped by defendant officers for no cause. When Plaintiff inquired the legal reason for his arrest, defendant officers stated they are checking for drugs. Plaintiff refused to give the officers permission to search the vehicle and this irritated the officers and they started beating up Plaintiff. They hit him in the back of the neck and head and pulled him out of the vehicle, pushing his head against the trunk. They found a prescription bottle with Plaintiff’s sister’s name on it, and accused Plaintiff of being a liar despite Plaintiff telling them that this vehicle and the prescription bottle belonged to his sister. They threw Pla...
Davis, Ryan vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV03756,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, July 13, 2017, ended February 22, 2018
$25,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff was operating a motor vehicle when he was pulled over by the defendants. He was ordered out of his vehicle before he could reach for his registration and insurance, two items demanded by the defendants. As the plaintiff and his car was searched, more detectives arrived to the scene. Plaintiff was taken to the 120th precinct where he was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia on person, but these charges were dropped.
Balzano, Joseph vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV02830,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 18, 2017, ended June 15, 2018
$15,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff was driving with a female passenger when he was pulled over by police officers. Officers ordered Plaintiff and passenger out of the vehicle while Officer Agostino searched the vehicle and the Plaintiff. Passenger possessed controlled substance which she voluntarily surrendered to police officers. Plaintiff was then arrested along with the passenger, handcuffed, and placed in a police van for hours before being transported to a precinct. At the precinct, during interrogation, Agostino grabbed plaintiff by the neck and slammed plaintiff's head against the wall twice.
