Conclusion Meanings:
'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - the alleged conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Substantiated': The alleged conduct 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.
Further details on conclusion definitions.
Named in 4 known lawsuits, $172,500 total settlements.
Yarborough, Ronnell vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 150013/2016E,
Supreme Court - New York, April 11, 2016, ended January 5, 2021
Settlement
Complaint
Description: On December 13, 2014, around 12:30 a.m., Plaintiff was lawfully in the long underground passageway to the PATH train from the 14th Street "1" station. Officer Harrigan and Officer "Doe" approached Plaintiff. Officer "Doe" immediately handcuffed Plaintiff, purposely making the handcuffs painfully tight, without telling Plaintiff why he was being arrested and without reading Plaintiff his rights. When Plaintiff complained of the pain of the handcuffs, Officer "Doe" told Plaintiff to "shut up" and punched Plaintiff in the stomach. Officer Harrigan then punched Plaintiff in the face and genitals. Plaintiff fell to the ground and the officers carried him upstairs to the police wagon. On the way to the police wagon, ...
Valencia, Aurelio vs Police Officer Alazraki, Christop, et al.
Case # 13CV06128,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, February 4, 2014, ended January 18, 2018
$100,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint
Description: After an officer asked Plaintiff to move his car so that they could respond to a dispute that didn't involve Plaintiff, Plaintiff got into his vehicle. Defendant Officer Harrigan then asked Plaintiff what he was doing, pulled him from the car, and assaulted him. Defendant Officer Alazraki charged Plaintiff with Dis Con and Resisting Arrest, which where ACD'd.
Witherspoon, Charles vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV02055,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 8, 2013, ended May 1, 2014
$20,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint
Description: On August 1, 2011, Plaintiff was breakdancing on a subway platform. Defendant Officers Chistopher Cerny and John Harrigan approached Plaintiff and placed him under arrest. On August 2, 2011, 30 hours after his arrest, Plaintiff was arraigned on a single charge of disorderly conduct and the charge was immediately dismissed. As a result of the arrest Plaintiff was terminated from his full time job with benefits.
Thommen et al v. City of New York et al
Case # 15CV05797,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$52,500 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint
Description: Plaintiffs were in an "E" subway train when they saw the defendants. Plaintiffs raised their middle finger to the defendants. At t he next stop, plaintiffs were asked to exit the subway train and were arrested for disorderly conduct.