Named in 5 known lawsuits, $227,500 total settlements.
Mcknight, Niesha, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV03000,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, July 31, 2017, ended May 30, 2019
$30,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On February 16, 2016, NYPD officers stormed plaintiffs' apartment unannounced with weapons drawn. Detective Jorge Salazar shoved one of the plaintiffs, who was pregnant, onto the floor and pushed his knee into her back. Another officer pointed his weapon at a different plaintiff, ordered him to the ground, and pushed his foot into his back. The officers transported one of the plaintiffs to the 102nd Precinct and two others to Central Bookings. One plaintiff was charged with crimes without probable cause by Detective Joseph Cortright, Officer Francis Noonan, and their supervisor, Sergeant Christopher Schmitt. Another was arraigned in criminal court on a criminal court complaint containing false charges signed by...
Sipic, Steven vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV07163,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, January 17, 2017, ended August 14, 2017
$50,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On Feb. 19, 2016, plaintiff was handcuffed inside a holding cell when Emergency Service Officers Cella and Salazar informed the plaintiff he was going to the hospital, despite plaintiff not being injured. The officers placed a restraint bag on the floor and told plaintiff to get in. When plaintiff protested, Officer Salazar withdrew his taser and punched the plaintiff twice in the eye. Officer Cella and Salazar then threw the plaintiff onto the restraint bag.
Plaintiff suffered a left periorbital contusion, bruising and swelling of his eye socket. Plaintiff was treated at the hospital for his injuries. His injuries did not heal for 2-3 months, for which he had blurry vision and headaches.
Prekas, Marko vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV05744,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, October 14, 2014, ended October 30, 2015
$75,000 Settlement
Complaint,
Second Amended Complaint
Description: On March 13, 2012, ten NYPD officers executed a search warrant at 311 Gordon Street, Staten Island, but unlawfully entered and searched Marko Prekas' separate basement apartment, not covered by the warrant. Michael Driscoll And Robert Patelli, entered Prekas’ apartment with firearms. Prekas was awakened by an officer pointing guns at him. When PREKAS stood up out of his bed, a defendant officer pressed his firearm against Prekas’ chest and a defendant officer, believed to be Robert Patelli, handcuffed Prekas without cause. Defendants Matthew Edelman, Donald Stewart, Luis Torino, William Russo, Kevin Sills, Matthew Bilotti, Michael Zak, and Dennis Maira, entered the location and searched both the first floor and...
Allen, Unique, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV03204,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 28, 2014, ended December 10, 2014
$27,500 Settlement
Complaint,
First Amended Complaint,
Stipulation
Description: On or about March 27, 2014, the two Plaintiffs were at one of the Plaintiff’s cousin’s house when several police officers rushed into the premises with guns drawn and flashlights, screaming and instructing everyone to freeze. Officers immediately grabbed one of the Plaintiffs, banged his head against a wall, and then threw him to the floor. One of the officers thereafter placed one of his feet on the head of Plaintiff, applying excessive and unnecessary pressure to his head with an intent to injure him. That Plaintiff was subsequently thrown on a bed, where he, including his private parts, were searched in full view of other officers. Meanwhile, the other Plaintiff was grabbed off the chair where he was sitting...
Britton et al v. The City Of New York et al
Case # 15CV06710,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$45,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint
Description: Defendant officers warrantlessly entered Plaintiff's home on multiple occasions searching for a suspect. On this occasion, defendant Sambolin created arrest paperwork in which he stated that the defendants had recovered a decorative sword, a machete, a gravity knife, and marijuana from the premises. DA declined to prosecute.