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.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - CCRB has fully investigated but could not affirmatively conclude both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
Further details on conclusion definitions.
Named in 2 known lawsuits, $10,000 total settlements.
Diallo, Alpha, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 708783/2022,
Supreme Court - Queens, April 25, 2022
Description: On or about March 20, 2021, Plaintiffs were stopped on the street for no lawful reason by P.O. Michael Fortunado, Michael Agunzo, Sergeant Sean Doheny and another officer. The defendants unlawfully ordered Plaintiffs to exit the car and then observed a loaded firearm inside of a purse, being held by one of the other two woman. Despite the loaded firearm being on the person of another, the defendants arrested Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs were then transported to the 106 police precinct and strip-searched. After the malicious prosecution, all charges were dismissed.
Merizalde, Johnny, et Al vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 21CV01822,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 14, 2021, ended February 25, 2022
$10,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On May 28, 2019, Plaintiffs Johnny Merizalde and Raymond Pastrana were working for Plaintiff Xtreme. Xtreme is a towing/impound company. Plaintifs Merizalde and Pastrana went to a commercial property to tow an illegally parked car when Sgt Edilio Cruz and Officer "John Doe" approached and began yelling at them from their police vehicle. Merizalde was arrested and spent over 24 hours in police custody amd was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
On January 8, 2020, Merizalde and Pastrana returned to the same commercial property to tow three illegally parked vehicles. Officer E. Cruz, Michael Fortunato, and "John Doe," arrived and arrested them both. Officer Fortunato told Mrizalde at the precinct "We jus...