Named in 3 known lawsuits, $79,800 total settlements.
Iglesia, Mario vs P.O. Andersen, Robert E., et al.
Case # 14CV02266,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, October 15, 2014, ended March 13, 2015
$64,800 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On November 3, 2012, one of four plaintiffs was lawfully exiting a bodega when police officers unlawfully assaulted him, including by striking him in his face and chest with closed fists. Without probable cause or reasonable suspicion to believe he had committed any crime or offense, officers threw the plaintiff up against a car, handcuffed and maced him. Three other plaintiffs started to record the officers' acts on their cellphones. Then, a police officer ran toward a second plaintiff, threw him to the ground, took his cellphone and handcuffed him. After the second plaintiff was on the ground and handcuffed, a police officer punched him squarely in his face several times while other officers kicked him. A thi...
Oquendo, Joseph vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV02582,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 13, 2014
Complaint
Description: On May 1, 2011, Sgt. Viet W. Cao arrested and charged Plaintiff with Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI”). Plaintiff was not intoxicated and was not operating his vehicle in an impaired condition. Plaintiff had fallen asleep in his car at a red light; the vehicle stood stationary and did not move during this time. At no time did Plaintiff exhibit any signs of intoxication and/or being under the influence. There was an open beer can in the car, but the beer belonged to a passenger Plaintiff had dropped off before falling asleep at the red light. Plaintiff told Sgt. Cao, on several occasions, that Sgt. Cao should/could secure the beer can and check it for fingerprints and/or DNA evidence. Plaintiff, himself a police...
Thomas, Justin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV06139,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, November 6, 2013, ended February 3, 2014
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On April 19, 2013, plaintiff was filming the exterior of the 72nd Precinct on 4th Ave, Brooklyn, for b-roll footage for his senior class video project when he was approached by defendant Sgt. Cao. Cao demanded plaintiff stop filming the exterior of the precinct. Plaintiff's friend stood beside him and filmed the conversation between plaintiff and Cao. Cao saw the friend filming and demanded the friend turn off the camera. The friend continued to film and repeatedly stated he was not interfering with an arrest. Cao grabbed plaintiff's upper arm and jerked him forward, stating he was under arrest. Cao called for assistance through his handheld transceiver and held plaintiff by the upper arm for a couple minutes u...