A Wyandanch man has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Suffolk County, its police department and several officers, alleging his rights were violated during an arrest last summer in which he claims officers used “excessive force” and “physically ripped” his prosthetic leg from his body during the altercation.
The federal lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York by Waverly Lucas, 48, says he was falsely arrested, assaulted and put under a “chokehold” by officers on Aug. 18, 2021. It names the Suffolk County Police Department, the county, officers Michael Casey and Michael Renna and eight other unnamed officers.
A spokeswoman for Suffolk police, speaking for the officers and the department, said the department “does not comment on pending litigation.” County and district attorney representatives did not return a request for comment.
An internal affairs investigation was conducted in connection with the incident, but the spokeswoman would not comment on its outcome. Charges againist Lucas were later dismissed.
Sign up for the Suffolk news this week newsletter
The biggest news, politics and crime stories in Suffolk County, in your inbox every Friday at noon.
By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy.
The aim of the lawsuit, said Lucas' attorney, Heather Palmore of Melville, “is to make sure that people can walk and go about their days without being bullied, harassed, racially profiled because of the color of [their] skin.”
Lucas is Black.
According to the...
Athena Construction Group Inc. must pay about $1 million for violating the False Claims Act by making misrepresentations about its eligibility to receive contracts set aside for HUBZone companies,...