Conclusion Meanings:
'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - the alleged conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Substantiated': The alleged conduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - CCRB has fully investigated but could not affirmatively conclude both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
Further details on conclusion definitions.
Named in 2 known lawsuits, $35,000 total settlements.
Menninger, Charles vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV04987,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, September 13, 2013, ended November 3, 2014
$35,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 1, 2012, Plaintiff Charles Menninger was involved in a skirmish with unknown younger males in Queens (Jackson Heights). Plaintiff was homeless and intoxicated. Fearing attacks from multiple members of the group, he grabbed a metal pipe to protect himself. The group ran away. Almost simultaneously, officers LAWRY and SAMOT appeared and ordered plaintiff to drop the pipe. Plaintiff did not respond right away due to intoxication. SAMOT hit plaintiff with baton several times and LAWRY tackled plaintiff. SAMOT continued to assault with baton and LAWRY did not stop SAMOT. LAWRY assaulted plaintiff also. A crowd gathered, becoming angry at the officers for the continued assault. One of the officers pu...
Raffaele, Thomas D. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV04607,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, August 21, 2013, ended January 17, 2018
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: On June 1, 2012, Plaintiff Judge Thomas Raffaele (Supreme Court, Queens County) and an associate arrived at midnight via vehicle at 37th Road and 74th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, observing a small crowd gathered around a homeless man being restrained by NYPD Officer Samot. Plaintiff pleaded with Officer Samot to cease driving his knee into the neck of the homeless man. As the crowd grew larger, Officer Samot became enraged and charged plaintiff outside the security perimeter surrounding the arrest scene, shoving plaintiff with his right arm and using a karate-chop motion against plaintiff's neck. The chop resulted in blinding pain and temporary loss of the ability to properly speak or breath. NYPD person...