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 6 known lawsuits, $79,000 total settlements.
Gutierrez, Maximus vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 529821/2024,
Supreme Court - Kings, February 26, 2025
Tavarez, Kedwin vs The City of Ny, et al.
Case # 24CV02507,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 11, 2024, ended May 14, 2025
$39,000 Settlement
Insular, Charmaine, et Al vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 24CV01252,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, March 28, 2024, ended April 2, 2026
$40,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 5, 2021, the Plaintiffs, some of whom have disabilities were falsely arrested. The defendants planted and staged photographs of firearms on the premises. During pre-trial hearings, the entire indictment was dismissed.
Campbell, Jason vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 23CV02872,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 16, 2023
Complaint
Description: On March 5, 2021, PO Estharlin Lopez and Detective Vasilios Vasilopoulos executed an illegally obtained search warrant at an unidentified premises related to Plaintiff. The warrant was based on knowingly falsified information and obtained from coercion of an informant. While executing the search Lopez and Vasilopoulos planted and moved weapons and staged photographs to support their false information. Lopez and Vasilopoulos recovered an envelope with Plaintiff’s name on it from the premises that purports to link him to the possession of weapons. On March 8, 2021, Plaintiff was falsely arrested, detained, and taken to Kings County Central Booking by Detective Raymond Higgins where he was charged with numerous we...
Rivers, Michael vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 507940/2020,
Supreme Court - Kings, June 3, 2020, ended April 20, 2023
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: On January 17, 2020, Plaintiff was lawfully present in his apartment building when Defendant Officers Lopez, Romanelli and John Does 1-10 unlawfully arrested and handcuffed Plaintiff without probable cause. Plaintiff was searched, and no contraband, or anything illegal was found on him. Plaintiff was transported to the 70th Precinct for processing. Defendant Officers repeatedly refused to tell Plaintiff the reason for the arrest. Plaintiff was then transported to Kings County Central Bookings. Defendant Officers maliciously prosecuted Plaintiff by providing the DA’s office with false information that Plaintiff committed the crime of Criminal Possession of a controlled substance. On January 18, 2020, after appro...
Walker, Michael Tracy vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV05202,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, September 26, 2017
Complaint
Description: While defendant was handcuffed, face down in the street, Defendant Officers repeatedly punched him in the face and assaulted him.