Federal Civil Rights Law Suit Against Spring Valley Police Announced

April 27, 2009

White Plains, New York Law firm Tilem & Campbell announces the filing of a Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit naming the Village of Spring Valley, its Police Department, the Building Department, two building inspectors and several police officers. One of the police officers, Roxanne Lopez, named as a defendant in the suit, is featured prominently on Manhunters, a television program which airs on the A&E network and follows the exploits of a task force of local police officers and federal marshals that apprehends wanted fugitives.

The law suit alleges that on or about July 1, 2008, Police Officer Roxanne Lopez and other police officers tricked an individual named Moshe Katz into going to 20 Franklin Avenue in Spring Valley, New York, the location of an apartment Mr. Katz was attempting to rent out. Once there, Detective Lopez and another Officer named in the Federal Complaint only as Detective "Ted" demanded that Mr. Katz give an individual named "Hector" $1000, which they claimed Mr. Katz owed "Hector". "Hector" is believed to be a friend or acquaintance of Detective Lopez. According to Court papers, when Mr. Katz refused to pay money to "Hector", Detective Lopez contacted co-defendant, Assistant Building Inspector Manny Carmona, who immediately arrived at the scene. Both Detective Lopez and Assistant Building Inspector Carmona then threatened an illegal building inspection unless Mr. Katz paid $1000 to "Hector."

According to the Federal Complaint, Mr. Katz paid "Hector" $600 and was then forced by Detective Lopez to go the bank to get the additional $400, under further threat of an illegal building inspection. Detective Lopez and Detective Ted instructed Assistant Building Inspector Carmona to remain at the location until Mr. Katz returned with the additional $400. The Lawsuit alleges that the police, under color of law, acted as judges and jury in collecting a debt for a friend.

If anyone has any information on this case or other misconduct by any of the individuals involved in this case they should contact the law firm at info@tilemandcampbell.com" target=_new>info@tilemandcampbell.com.

SOURCE Tilem & Campbell