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.
'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.
Further details on conclusions.
Melendez, Amanda vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 152253/2015,
Supreme Court - New York, March 11, 2015, ended December 8, 2015
$2,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On November 13, 2013, Plaintiff deposited a check for her employer at a bank. The bank found out the check had already been cashed under someone else's name despite Plaintiff having no knowledge the check was illegitimate. Plaintiff showed the police the email exchange between Plaintiff and her employer, evidencing she had no knowledge that the check was fraudulent. Plaintiff was arrested in front of her children, charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument and incarcerated for 24 hours. Plaintiff was subjected to an unlawful abusive search. On May 29, 2014, all charges were dismissed.