Named in 4 known lawsuits, $280,000 total settlements.
Dimou, Vangel vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 709836/2020,
Supreme Court - Queens, August 5, 2020, ended September 22, 2021
Administrative Closing
Complaint
Description: On or about August 5, 2013, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Plaintiff Vangel Dimou was at the premises of Sterling Real Estate, Inc. located at 28-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria, New York, when he was assaulted by (former) NYPD Officer Besnik Llakatura. Llakatura, an active-duty officer at the time, was involved in extortion schemes targetting various small business owners, including Mr. Dimou. Despite being aware of Llakatura's criminal activities, other NYPD officers present, identified as John Does 1-10 from the 120th Precinct, failed to intervene or protect Dimou, allowing the assault to take place.
The assault was part of a broader extortion operation, and Llakatura was later convicted of Hobbs Act Extortion Conspir...
Gray, Roderick vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV05515,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, November 1, 2013, ended October 27, 2014
$75,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On October 6, 2010, an NYPD Officer believed to be Officer Salvatore Sacco cursed at Plaintiff, who responded in kind. Later on, Plaintiff was approached by Officer Sacco and his partner Officer "John" Anderson. Officer Sacco asked Plaintiff to repeat himself and Plaintiff obliged. Officer Sacco responded with a racial slur, pulled Plaintiff out of his vehicle, and assaulted Plaintiff along with his partner and Officers Dominick Latorre, Besnik Llakatura, and "John" Santoro, who had arrived separately. Plaintiff was slammed against his vehicle, punched in the face and ribs, and thrown to the ground, where he was struck repeatedly in the back and handcuffed. Once in handcuffs, Plaintiff was picked up and forced ...
Ramirez, Miguel By Mng Molina, Yolanda vs Cerventes-Simon, D.m., et al.
Case # 101799/2011,
Supreme Court - Richmond, June 2, 2011, ended December 11, 2013
$30,000 Settlement
Galvin, Colleen vs Cervantes-Simon, Diane M., et al.
Case # 101985/2010,
Supreme Court - Richmond, September 10, 2010, ended May 14, 2014
$175,000 Settlement