FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
Eric Sanders, Esq., of ¸£Àû¼§., announces the filing of a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of New York, Lieutenant Filastin Srour, Lieutenant Tanya S. Bennett, Lieutenant Julio E. Calle, Sergeants Wilson O. Ramos, Daniel M. Miller, Alfred J. Gallicchio and Asa G. Barnes, Police Officers Ryan A. Marrero, Peter G. Montalbano, Detective Third Grade Michael J. Ganz, Police Officer Jimmy D. Gutierres and FDNY Firefighter Evan R. Santana
 

New York, June 15, 2021 – Former Police Officer Maria Mendez alleges that she was assigned to the 32nd Precinct. According to the lawsuit, Mrs. Mendez alleges that from Late 2014 through January 28, 2019, while on and off duty, Defendants’ RYAN A. MARRERO; MICHAEL J. GANZ; JIMMY D. GUTIERRES and EVAN R. SANTANA forced her to ingest copious amounts of opioids, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) aka ecstasy or molly and alcohol, physically assault and menace her, then forcibly rape and sodomize her.

Throughout this time period, Mrs. Mendez alleges that she sustained numerous contusions and lacerations about her body including but not limited to her head, physical deformities to her vagina and anus requiring surgical repair, according to the lawsuit.

Mrs. Mendez alleges to have suffered ‘egregious’ emotional distress.

According to the lawsuit, Defendants’ THE CITY OF NEW YORK; FILASTIN SROUR; JULIO E. CALLE; TANYA S. BENNETT; WILSON O. RAMOS; DANIEL M. MILLER; ALFRED J. GALLICCHIO; ASA G. BARNES and others were aware that Mrs. Mendez was subjected to ‘incalculable’ acts of sexual violence and mental abuse on and off duty but, failed to intervene.

Mrs. Mendez alleges that feeling that she had no other viable avenue of support, on January 28, 2019, she resigned from the Police Department City of New York leaving a lucrative career with promotional opportunities, medical and retirement benefits.

In March 2019, Mrs. Mendez attempted suicide and had to be admitted to an area hospital in response to the sexual violence and mental abuse she endured as a police officer at the hands of Defendants’ THE CITY OF NEW YORK; FILASTIN SROUR; JULIO E. CALLE; TANYA S. BENNETT; WILSON O. RAMOS; DANIEL M. MILLER; ALFRED J. GALLICCHIO; ASA G. BARNES; RYAN A. MARRERO; PETER G. MONTALBANO; RISEL V. MARTINEZ; MICHAEL J. GANZ; JIMMY D. GUTIERRES; and EVAN R. SANTANA and others, according to the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, in January 2020, Mrs. Mendez received a medical diagnosis regarding her persistent vaginal and anal pain and incontinence.

On March 19, 2020, Mrs. Mendez she filed an application for social security benefits with the Social Security Administration. In that application, Mrs. Mendez alleges that all of her claims related to the sexual violence and mental abuse she endured as a police officer at the hands of Defendants’ THE CITY OF NEW YORK; FILASTIN SROUR; JULIO E. CALLE; TANYA S. BENNETT; WILSON O. RAMOS; DANIEL M. MILLER; ALFRED J. GALLICCHIO; ASA G. BARNES; RYAN A. MARRERO; PETER G. MONTALBANO; RISEL V. MARTINEZ; MICHAEL J. GANZ; JIMMY D. GUTIERRES; and EVAN R. SANTANA and others.

On March 2, 2021, Mrs. Mendez had her bladder, vagina and anus surgically repaired due to the sexual assaults of Defendants’ RYAN A. MARRERO; MICHAEL J. GANZ; JIMMY D. GUTIERRES; and EVAN R. SANTANA, according to the lawsuit.

On March 26, 2012, Mrs. Mendez received a Fully Favorable Decision. The Agency determined among other things that:

The claimant has the following severe impairments: labral tear and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy per EMG, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, hereinafter “PTSD” (20 CFR 404.1520(c).

The claimant has moderate limitations in her ability to interact with the public, be aware of hazards, and set goals. She has marked limitations in her ability to travel to unfamiliar places and extreme limitations in her ability to sustain a work routine and tolerate stress. The claimant “sustained significant trauma and abuse� and has severe symptoms consistent with PTSD that include anxiety, hypervigilance, mistrust of others, flashbacks, and intrusive memories.

The undersigned finds that Ms. Markouizos’s opinion is highly persuasive, as it is supported by her treatment notes and consistent with the remaining medical evidence. The claimant’s treatment records from various providers document her reports of sexual and physical abuse. She pursued care with her gynecologist for incontinence and vaginal pain that resulted from injuries sustained during her sexual abuse. The claimant was ultimately recommended for vaginal reconstruction. The claimant’s treatment records also document her to begin mental health treatment in July of 2019. Her diagnosed impairments include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The claimant’s treatment notes accredit her reported symptoms to years of sexual and physical abuse that occurred during her employment as a police office. Exhibits SF and 7F/2. The claimant’s ongoing mental health symptoms and minimal improvement despite her years of treatment support.

“Frankly, I think that the Manhattan District Attorney and the department dropped the ball here. Now, Mrs. Mendez seeks redress through the federal court to hold her abusers accountable,� said lawyer Eric Sanders.

Eric Sanders, Esq., of ¸£Àû¼§., filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Docket No.: 21 cv 5294, on June 15, 2021.

ABOUT THE SANDERS FIRM, P.C.

¸£Àû¼§. offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights,Ìýcivil service rights,Ìýcriminal lawÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýdiscrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights.

CONTACT

Eric Sanders, Esq.
President and Owner,Ìý¸£Àû¼§.
Business Phone: 212-652-2782

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York Civil Rights Lawyer Eric Sanders, Esq., of ¸£Àû¼§., Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and New York City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., join together to push for new legislative changes and an audit of NYPD facilities to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws regarding a nursing mother’s right to express milk during work hours

NEW YORK, January 2, 2020 – Today, after a class-action lawsuit filed by NYPD ‘Nursing Mothers,’ New York Civil Rights Lawyer Eric Sanders, Esq., Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, New York City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., along with named plaintiffs’ Simone Teagle and Viviana Ayende, and advocacy groups, join together to push for new legislative changes to ensure that lactation rooms are safe and sanitary, and for New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer to conduct a comprehensive audit of NYPD facilities to ensure compliance with federal, state and laws regarding a nursing mother’s right to express milk during work hours.

“The disturbing allegations in this lawsuit show that our City is failing working mothers. We cannot claim we are leading on gender equality when women cannot safely pump breast milk without facing ridicule or dangerous conditions. I urge the City Council to expeditiously pass Intro 1662, which would ensure lactation rooms are safe and sanitary for working mothers in the NYPD and throughout the city. I also call on the Comptroller’s office to conduct a comprehensive audit of this issue so we can understand the full extent of the challenges faced by working mothers in New York’s Finest. The boys club culture in our law enforcement must change to embrace and support mothers who are trying to balance the demands of work and family,â€� said .

“I would like to commend the courage of the named plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit against the NYPD seeking redress for the agency’s failure to comply with various laws that aim to support new and breastfeeding mothers,â€� said . “This policy fight, which I and colleagues have been in front of, is not just a fight for the equality of women in our society, and our workforce, but a fight to embrace family values and make our government more family-friendly. I call on the NYPD to come into compliance with all laws requiring lactation accommodations, and on City Council to bring Intro 1662-2019 to a hearing, and to get it passed as soon as possible.â€�

“With the assistance of the Borough President and other advocates in this space, we intend to ensure the NYPD complies with law and stops treating nursing mothers as second-class citizens. It’s time we provided decent conditions for women who need to express breast milk while on the job,â€� said Sanders.

Legislation sponsored by Council Member Cornegy and introduced at the request of Borough President Adams, Intro 1662, would require the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to provide mandatory annual training to staff at locations required to make lactation rooms available. It would also require DOHMH to inspect the lactation rooms at least quarterly for cleanliness, safety, and accessibility.

The federal civil rights lawsuit was filed on December 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Docket No.: 19 cv 7211.

ABOUT THE SANDERS FIRM, P.C.

¸£Àû¼§. offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights, civil service rights, criminal law and discrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights.

CONTACT

Eric Sanders, Esq.
President and Owner, ¸£Àû¼§.
Business Phone: 212-652-2782

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Facebook Live: Brooklyn Pols. Joins Fight for NYPD ‘Nursing Mothers’ Rights

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, September 22, 2014 – Today, New York Civil Rights Attorney Eric Sanders, Esq., of ¸£Àû¼§., announces he has filed a Charge of Discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging discrimination and corruption within the Promotional Review Board process of the Troy Police Department.

John Coons, who self-identifies as Irish-American was promoted to sergeant on January 23, 2004. Since then, Mr. Coons have always aspired to ascend the promotional ladder to captain. When Mr. Coons had the opportunity, he sat for the civil service examination.

According to the Charge, on September 25, 2010, Mr. Coons sat for the Promotion to Captain, Police Department City of Troy. Shortly thereafter, he placed second on the certified eligible’s list. Mr. Coons claims he was passed over for promotion in 2011, 2013 and 2014 because he publicly complained about he and Anthony Conyers (African-American Male) being passed over for promotion due to their race and political affiliation. Mr. Coons claims Chief John Tedesco (Italian-American Male) promotes Italian-American males and other males political affiliated with him over other employees.

Since appearing on the eligible’s list, Mr. Coons claims at least three lower list numbers were promoted over him notably, Joseph Centanni (Italian-American).

Mr. Coons claims the Promotional Review Board process under Chief John Tedesco is subjective operating without established guidelines and the City of Troy either condones, acquiesces and/or actively participates in this subjective process.

Mr. Coons seeks retroactive pay and benefits, along with substantial changes in the Promotional Review Board process.

“Diversity and open-competitiveness seems to be flawed concepts under Chief John Tedesco. Diversity and open-competitiveness arguably supports a more flexible and efficient approach to modern policing. Unfortunately, sometimes these concepts must be enforced with costly litigation. We certainly look forward to continuing working in partnership with the City of Troy, the Department as well as other interested stakeholders to ensure diversity and open-competitiveness in police management are enthusiastically embraced,� says Eric Sanders.

ABOUT THE SANDERS FIRM, P.C.

¸£Àû¼§.  offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights, civil service rights, criminal law and discrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights. We are your voice for justice!

CONTACT

Eric Sanders, Esq.
President and Owner, ¸£Àû¼§.
Business Phone: 212-652-2782

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, July 31, 2014 – New York Civil Rights Attorney Eric Sanders, Esq., of ¸£Àû¼§., files a $175 Million dollar lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Kenneth J. Moreno against the accuser, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, ¸£Àû¼§ Box Office, Inc., and the accuser’s law firm for conspiracy to violate his constitutional rights for their pecuniary gain.

Mr. Moreno was a tenured civil servant close to his 20th year anniversary when he would have been eligible for full retirement benefits.

Mr. Moreno alleges the New York County District Attorney’s Office under Robert Morgenthal and Cyrus Vance investigates, prosecutes and makes other charging decisions based upon race, political affiliations and other improper factors designed to ensure their own pecuniary gain. In the verified complaint, Mr. Moreno notes differences in how his case was handled as opposed to Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Fox News Anchor Greg Kelly, both Caucasian males with privilege and political power.

The original callout alleging Mr. Moreno raped Ms. Katherine Chow was assigned to Detective Second Grade Diane L. Davis for the initial part of the investigation. After interviewing Ms. Chow, Detective Davis found her not credible. In Detective Davis’s opinion, she believed this matter was not criminal but a form of misconduct based upon similar matters handled by the NYPD.

Ms. Chow alleged Mr. Moreno raised her pelvic area and had vaginal sex with her from behind. Mr. Moreno denies having any sex with Ms. Chow. There was no physical evidence to support Ms. Chow had sex with Mr. Moreno. On Ms. Chow’s Facebook personal page, she messaged her friend but says nothing about allegedly being raped until she meets with her friend attorney Ms. Yasmine R. Saeed. They begin meeting with the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau and the New York County District Attorney’s Office.

Prior to the criminal trial, Ms. Chow maliciously filed several frivolous federal civil rights lawsuits in the Southern District of New York alleging Mr. Moreno raped and assaulted her in an attempt to extort monies out of him and the taxpayers, according to the verified complaint.

Prior to the criminal trial, the New York County District Attorneys’ Office obtained a search warrant and seized a hair sample from him, which yielded no credible evidence to support any criminal charge.

During the criminal trial, Mr. Moreno accuses New York State Supreme Court Judge Gregory Carro of being inattentive including using his personal cellular telephone to send text messages.

Shortly before the trial ended, Mr. Moreno finds out Cyrus Vance, Lisa Friel, Coleen Balbert and Edward J. Taachi throughout his prosecution were actively participating in violating his ‘Brady’ and other constitutional rights by participating in ¸£Àû¼§ Box Office, Inc. and Lisa F. Jackson’s documentary entitled ‘Sex Crimes Unit’ where discussions and other materials were developed but not turned over to him including more than eighty hours of raw footage. New York Supreme Court Judge Gregory Carro refused to declare a ‘mistrial.’

After a short deliberation, the jury acquitted Mr. Moreno of Rape in the First Degree and convicted him of three counts of official misconduct. After losing several legal arguments and appeals, Mr. Moreno was sentenced to one year in jail. Mr. Moreno served approximately nine months incarcerated on Rikers Island.

Lisa Friel and Edward J. Taachi were terminated for violating Mr. Moreno’s ‘Brady’ rights. Ms. Friel is now the Vice President of Sexual Misconduct Consulting & Investigations for T & M Protections Services. Ms. Balbert is now the Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit in the Kings County District Attorneys’ Office and Adjunct Professor with the Pace University School of Law.

“This case and others like it are scary propositions for all law abiding citizens. We failed Mr. Moreno on so many levels here because of people’s own personal self-agendas. Thank goodness, the jury saw through this false rape scheme. We think the jury only convicted Mr. Moreno of official misconduct due to their confusion about what constitutes a ‘benefit’ which no Court clarified. Where were the checks and balances to protect his constitutional rights? Now Mr. Moreno is forever scarred with the scarlet letter of ‘Rape Cop.’ Mr. Moreno hopes this lawsuit will vindicate his name and make the schemers pay for their malicious conduct,� says Eric Sanders.

Mr. Moreno filed his verified complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of the Bronx. The name of the case is KENNETH J. MORENO v. THE CITY OF NEW YORK, ET AL., Index No.: 304087-2014, filed on July 30, 2014.

About ¸£Àû¼§.

¸£Àû¼§. offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights, civil service rights, criminal law and discrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights.

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