Conclusion Meanings:
'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 7 known lawsuits, $165,000 total settlements.
Boone, Henry L. vs Joseph, Canale; et al.
Case # 25CV02440,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, June 26, 2025
Delorbe-Bell, Joel vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 24CV09956,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, December 31, 2024
Complaint
Description: On January 22, 2024, Defendant NYPD Officer Espenberg and others unlawfully detained Plaintiff Joel Delorbe-Bell while he was walking on 165th Street in the Bronx. Defendant Officer Espenberg shoved Plaintiff into a gate and demanded identification, falsely accusing him of possessing an "open container". Despite Plaintiff having only apple juice in a clear plastic cup, he was searched and arrested without cause. No weapon or other contraband was found during the search. Plaintiff was handcuffed and transported to the 44th Precinct. He was later released with a ticket for "open container of alcohol" sworn out by Defendant office Espenberg. Plaintiff had to seek medical treatments due to continued pain after bein...
Geebro, Nathaniel W. vs City of Ny
Case # 812230/2025E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, July 16, 2024
Lawes, Kiandae vs City of Ny
Case # 816857/2023E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, October 26, 2023, ended September 26, 2024
$70,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On April 20, 2023, Michael Espenberg (Sheild No. 3086) and other police officers, without a warrant, stopped, searched, grabbed, assaulted, battered, and detained him in an aggressive and excessive manner.
Vasquez, Eniel vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 021853/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, February 15, 2018, ended January 31, 2019
$22,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about December 11, 2016, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Plaintiff Eniel Vasquez was lawfully in the vicinity of Jerome Avenue and East 167th Street in the Bronx. At this time, New York City Police Officers Michael Espenberg, Kenia Acosta, and other officers, including John Doe and John Roe, approached Vasquez without any probable cause or legal justification. The officers allegedly stopped, searched, grabbed, assaulted, battered, and detained Vasquez in an aggressive and excessive manner. He was subjected to a strip search while in custody, despite the absence of any legal reason to do so. Following this incident, Vasquez was arraigned and falsely charged with a crime. He remained incarcerated for over 24 h...
Gonzalez, Larry Compusano vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 300603/2017,
Supreme Court - Bronx, March 31, 2017, ended April 19, 2018
$60,000 Settlement
Frederique, Jasmine Johnson vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV08350,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, October 29, 2015, ended August 2, 2016
$12,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers falsely arrested Plaintiff on charges of Assault, Menacing, and Harassment, which were later dismissed.