Conclusion Meanings:
'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unable to Determine': The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'Within NYPD Guidelines': The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
Further details on conclusions.
Named in 5 known lawsuits, $42,500 total settlements.
Hanuka, Shaul vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV05231,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, October 18, 2016, ended February 8, 2018
$12,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: The plaintiff was standing near an automobile the defendant officers were searching. The officers found empty needles inside of the vehicle, which was later explained to be used by an individual for his insulin injections. The defendant officers falsely reported there was heroine in the needles and charged the plaintiff who was near the vehicle with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. The charge was later dismissed.
Sepulveda, Barry vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV05187,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, September 18, 2015
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers pulled over a car where Plaintiff was the passenger for not signaling on a turn. Police searched the car, found a gravity knife, and arrested both driver and plaintiff for criminal poss of a weapon. Plaintiff was taken to the 121st Precinct, strip searched, then held at the hospital for 5 days and forced to ingest laxatives so that his excretion could be searched.
Roth, Christopher vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV07251,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, December 26, 2014, ended July 9, 2015
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On September 14, 2013, Plaintiff was legally operating a motor vehicle when he was pulled over by Defendant Officers Daniel Golat and Kenneth Greene. Defendants Golat and Greene illegally removed Plaintiff from the car, handcuffed him, searched him, searched the car, arrested him, transported him to the 121st Precinct. Plaintiff was released 3 hours later. Plaintiff was arraigned about a month later on baseless charges, and was force to appear twice more before all charges were dismissed.
Little, Michael vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 150722/2014,
Supreme Court - Richmond, September 9, 2014, ended September 30, 2015
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On September 21, 2013, at approximately 12:01 AM, Plaintiff was lawfully walking on a sidewalk when Sgt. Guido, Officer Daniel Golat, Officer Shatlick and other unknown officers, without probable cause, arrested Plaintiff and placed him into handcuffs. During this arrest, at least 7 of the officers threw Plaintiff to the concrete sidewalk, punched Plaintiff in the back of the head while he was face down in handcuffs, then dragged and grinded Plaintiff's face across the sidewalk. As a result, Plaintiff suffered among other things, personal injury and mental anguish.
Akpoke et al v. City of New York et al
Case # 15CV06960,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
Amended Complaint,
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officer Hesterhagen pulled over Plaintiff's car saying he "wanted to investigate", saw garden tools through the window, and then forcefully pulled Plaintiff out of the car. Plaintiff was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree for the garden tools, which he pleaded guilty to.