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On August 21, 1997, following the highly publicized beating and sexual assault by a police officer of Abner Louima, a Haitian American man, the Department of Justice launched an excessive force investigation of the NYPD.
According to reporting, the NYPD and the DOJ engaged in settlement conversations and the city attorney appealed directly to then Attorney General Janet Reno to avoid a lawsuit. No public settlement is available. The DOJ did not file a complaint against the NYPD, and the case was closed on December 23, 2004.
Abner Louima won an $8.75 million settlement against the city for police brutality and the officers responsible for his attack were convicted of criminal charges in federal court.
Summary Authors
Robin Peterson (5/24/2023)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:36 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Closing Date: Dec. 23, 2004
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
New York City (New York, New York), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Policing: