In recent years, RIOC has been the target of a lot of lawsuits. Some were for whistleblower retaliation; others for creating a hostile workplace. But the new lawsuit arrives from the outside with accusations of police brutality.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
On April 12th, last year, officers allegedly pulled Michael Adam Center out of his USPS truck. They then arrested him. This happened in front of 510 Main. Although the specific criminal charges are not included in his lawsuit, Center insists he “had not committed or attempted to commit any illegal acts).”
Supporting his claim, the criminal charges were dismissed the very next day.
What the new lawsuit alleges
Center’s lawsuit accuses unnamed NYPD officers. RIOC, PSD, Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso and Officer Jomar Arce Gonzalez as defendants. Two more PSOs also face accusations, but Center does not know their names.
A host of allegations fill the new lawsuit. These include a RIOC failure to train and control its officers. They also involve false imprisonment. (See the full lawsuit attached below.)
Here’s the gist of the allegations against Amaroso and Gonzalez:
“…on or about April 12, 2023 the Plaintiff MICHAEL ADAM CENTER was, without any just cause of provocation, intentionally stopped and surrounded Plaintiff’s Postal truck, forcibly attempted to enter Plaintiff’s Postal truck, forcibly dragged Plaintiff to remove Plaintiff from his Postal truck, touched, pulled, pushed, battered, assaulted, searched, humiliated, photographed and handcuffed in the most egregious manner…”
These are nothing more than allegations, and RIOC, PSD, Amaroso and Gonzalez have firmly denied them through their attorneys. A trial or discussions among lawyers will decide the outcome. But the charges serve as a reminder of an earlier incident.
The Still unexplained deli incident
As we reported, on a Saturday afternoon, a small female truck driver was manhandled by three public safety officers. The problem: a parking violation. All charges against her were dropped.
After this incident, PSD ignored multiple requests for details about the incident and any disciplinary actions. For us, it suggests the very lack of training, discipline and accountability alleged in Center’s lawsuit.
What happens now?
The new lawsuit includes a staggering array of charges, but no evidence has yet been offered. PSD did not at the time publicly report the arrest, and RIOC would not comment now. Often in such cases, NYPD and others issue a note of support, saying they expect a positive resolution. Whether intentionally or not, silence equals lack of transparency and lack of support for RIOC’s officers.
Now that the plaintiff has filed and RIOC answered, the simple track goes into discovery where we learn much more. A trial follows, but that’s only theory. Negotiations between parties are inevitable and, in most cases, a resolution before trial.
We may never get all the facts or even the officers’ defense, which they surely have. RIOC has a penchant for extreme secrecy. The lawsuit will definitely cost Roosevelt Island another small fortune in outside legal fees. This is regardless of the outcome.
Howard Polivy, the Man Who Never Left
There is a particular rhythm to board meetings. Once you have sat through enough of them, they begin to blend together. The agenda appears. The minutes are approved.
