Named in 10 known lawsuits, $335,358 total settlements.
Padilla, Joeal vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 804217/2021,
Supreme Court - Bronx, March 26, 2021
Complaint
Description: On July 5, 2018 Plaintiff was in the vicinity of Morris Ave. and East 190th St. in the Bronx, having a conversation with his friend, when Defendant Officers, including Officers Vargas and Cruz, aggressively approached Plaintiff and unlawfully questioned Plaintiff regarding illegal activity. Defendant Officers violently grabbed and contorted Plaintiff's arms behind his back and applied metal handcuffs to his wrists in an excessively tight fashion without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Defendant Officers falsely accused Plaintiff of illegally possessing narcotic drugs despite the absence of any probable cause to support their allegations, and despite having no legal right to go through Plaintiff's pocket...
Fernandez, Christian, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 034036/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, December 14, 2018, ended July 11, 2019
$80,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 12, 2018, Detective Edward French, Manuel Cruz, Luilly Vargas, William Rojas, Luis Sanchez, and other police officers stopped, searched, grabbed, assaulted, battered, arrested and detained the plaintiff Christian Fernandez and Joalfred Luciano in an aggressive and excessive manner without a warrant, probable cause, reasonable cause or any legal justification. Because of the defendants conduct, the plaintiffs suffered great and permanent bodily injury in and about his head, neck, back, body and limbs and was rendered sick, sore, lame and disabled, and suffered conscious pain. The plaintiffs were falsely and maliciously prosecuted with committing a crime, but the criminal actions against them were term...
Fernandez, Christian, et Al vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 029750/2018,
Supreme Court - Bronx, August 28, 2018, ended July 11, 2019
$80,000 Settlement
Williams, Lorez vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 026567/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, June 8, 2018, ended March 3, 2020
$10,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 27, 2015, Police Officer Manuel Cruz and other police officers stopped, searched, grabbed, assaulted, battered, arrested and detained the plaintiff in an aggressive and excessive manner without a warrant, probable cause, reasonable cause or any legal justification. Because of the defendants conduct, the plaintiff suffered great and permanent bodily injury in and about his head, neck, back, body and limbs and was rendered sick, sore, lame and disabled, and suffered conscious pain. The plaintiff was falsely and maliciously prosecuted with committing a crime, but the criminal action against him was terminated favorably on July 13, 2017.
Villar, Leonardo vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV03819,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, July 11, 2017, ended November 7, 2018
$30,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On September 11, 2015, as plaintiff was riding his bicycle down a street, defendant Cruz charged and forcibly pushed plaintiff from his moving bicycle, causing plaintiff to fall to the ground and lose consciousness. Defendants then tightly placed plaintiff in handcuffs, and formally arrested him. Plaintiff was taken to the hospital for his injuries and subsequently sent to Rikers Island Correctional Facility, where he remained for several days. Plaintiff eventually received a conditional discharge in exchange for accepting a plea to a non-violent charge of disorderly conduct.
Pottinger, Mark vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 025732/2017E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, June 28, 2017, ended December 8, 2017
$30,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On October 26, 2016, named Defendant Officer Manuel Cruz, along with two unnamed Defendants, Officers John Doe and John Roe, stopped the Plaintiff without a warrant or cause. The Defendants grabbed, pushed, assaulted, battered, arrested, detained, and strip searched the Plaintiff in a violent manner. As a result of their actions, the Plaintiff sustained severe and permanent bodily injury to his head, neck, back, body, and limbs. The Plaintiff also suffered emotional distress, significant damage to his standing and reputation, and loss of liberty and companionship. Criminal charges were filed against the Plaintiff based on fraud, perjury, and misrepresentations. All charges were ultimately dismissed.
Livingston, Jamel, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 301230/2016,
Supreme Court - Bronx, July 18, 2016, ended January 19, 2018
$35,000 Settlement
Cowan, Joletha, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 025865/2016E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, March 8, 2016, ended August 10, 2018
$42,500 Settlement
Government Employees Insurance Company Aso Figueroa, Raymond vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 039963/2012,
Civil Court - Queens, November 28, 2012, ended January 4, 2013
$5,858 Settlement
Hoyte, Steven vs Szot, Amanda, et al.
Case # 12CV04622,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, August 2, 2012, ended October 3, 2013
$22,000 Settlement
Complaint,
Settlement
