The results reached in these cases are each based on their specific facts. The result of each case may differ based on the unique facts of that particular case and the applicable law under which that case was evaluated under. Please note that results showcased are only a sampling of the victories achieved by the Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington.
Goosby, et al v. Town of Hempstead
Class Action commenced under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, challenging the 80-year discriminatory process of selecting Town of Hempstead council members, which systematically prevented the election of candidates of choice by members of the Town's African American population. The action sought to dismantle the at-large voting system in the largest township in the United States and have it replaced with a councilmanic district system of electing town board members.
Results: After the trial Plaintiffs' verdict was rendered and then affirmed by the Second Circuit. Council District formed by order of the Court, and elections held.
Civil Rights and Voting Rights
Petition to the United States Justice Department for Monitors in the NYC Mayoral Election
The firm was part of a legal team from the Center for Constitutional Rights, which made a Voting Rights petition to the United States Justice Department requesting observers at polling places in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn in the mayoral election bid of David N. Dinkins.
Results: Petition granted.
NAACP v. Board of Elections
Co-counsel in Voting Rights lawsuit that challenged the purge of minority voters from the voting rolls in Nassau County. The action was based upon the fact that minorities were purged at a rate twice that of non-minorities.
Results: Injunction issued to stop the purge. The purging law was then changed by the New York State Legislature.
Flores et al. v. Town of Islip, et al.
Challenged the “at-large” voting system in the Town of Islip, which systematically prevented members of the Town’s minority Latino community from electing candidates of their choice to the Islip Town Board. The class action lawsuit alleged that the political disenfranchisement of the Latino community was guaranteed by the Town’s at-large voting system, which had allowed Islip’s white majority, by voting as a bloc, to deprive the Town’s Latino residents their right to elect a candidate of their choice.
Results: The case settled and the at-large voting system was dismantled and replaced with a councilmanic system which led to the election of the first Latino person on the Islip Town Board.
Employment and Housing Discrimination
Victor Snell v. Roslyn Harbor, et al.
14th Amendment lawsuit by an African American security guard who was terminated from his job after asking the mayor’s wife and daughter to move their illegally parked cars. Invoked 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and 1983.
Results: Settlement.
Bloomingfield v. Town of Hempstead, et al.
Employment discrimination action by a Black Jamaican immigrant who was passed over for promotions and paid less than their white counterparts. Invoked Title VII. 42 U.S.C. §1981 and §1983.
Results: Trial ending in plaintiff’s verdict of $123,000.
Portee v. Hastava, et. al.
Fair Housing and housing discrimination lawsuit brought by an interracial couple and their child due to the Defendant’s refusal to rent them a house in Island Park, New York. Conducted two trials and an appeal to the Second Circuit.
Results: The first jury’s damages, which awarded $330,000, were ruled excessive by the Court, and a new trial was ordered solely on the damages issue. The second jury upheld the initial award upon appeal.
Dyer v. County of Suffolk, et al.
An African-American female police officer sued the Suffolk County Police Department for race and gender discrimination, pursuant to Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The trial resulted in a hung jury. Defendants filed a post-trial motion to dismiss, which was denied, and then filed an appeal seeking dismissal of some of the claims.
Results: The appeal was denied, and the case settled prior to retrial.
Leslie v. County of Suffolk
A Suffolk County police officer, denied a promotion and transfer, alleged racial discrimination and violation of constitutional rights under Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Results: Case settled during trial.
Morris, Merrit, McCall, and Williams vs. Northrop/Grumman
African American employees of a government contractor sued for discrimination in promotion and termination.
Results: All cases settled to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.
Werring v. SUNY Farmingdale
Retaliation case invoking U.S.C. §1983 and Title VII involving a Catholic Priest, who served on a committee designated to review and evaluate charges of discrimination made by an African-American professor, who found discriminatory actions.
Results: After four days at trial, the jury awarded the Plaintiff $201,700.
Scotti v. County of Nassau, et al.
Scotti, a former Nassau County Correctional Officer sued his employer for disability discrimination and retaliation.
Results: After jury selection, the case settled for $87,500 and equitable relief including the issuance to Plaintiff of his badge.
MHANY, et al. v. County of Nassau, et al.
Case that found that the Village of Garden City violated the federal Fair Housing Act, the United States Constitution, and other civil rights statutes by enacting a discriminatory zoning ordinance for the purpose of keeping people of color out of Garden City, thereby allowing Garden City to remain an overwhelming White enclave.
Results: Trial verdict for Plaintiffs.
Osama Saleh v. Pretty Girl, Inc., et al.
Employee experienced harassment, discrimination relating to race and religion, and was violently beaten by co-worker which resulted in surgery and hospitalization. The store manager did not heed the complaints of Plaintiff and took no action to protect them.
Results: A four-day trial resulting in $4,700,000 in damages for discrimination, hostile work environment, assault, and negligence.
Wrongful Death and Personal Injury
Benjamin v. Clarklift of New York, et al.
Wrongful death and product liability case involving a tow motor accident at a New York City sewage treatment plant.
Results: Settlement of $1,220,00.
Estate of Christopher Wade, et al.
Wrongful death action invoking 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the County of Nassau and the Nassau County Police Department for the shooting death of Christopher Wade.
Results: Plaintiff’s verdict of $2,250,000.
Estate of Chris Jackson, et al.
Wrongful death and medical malpractice action invoking 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Nassau County Medical Center and Nassau County Correctional Facility for the death of detainee Christopher Jackson, who suffered from sickle-cell anemia.
Results: Plaintiff’s verdict and matter settled during post trial proceedings.
Estate of Jo’Anna Bird v. County of Nassau, et al.
The Nassau County Police Department failed to enforce a valid Order of Protection. This negligence led to the violent murder of Jo’Anna Bird by Leonardo Valdez-Cruz who continuously stalked, menaced, harassed, injured, kidnapped, threatened, and endangered Bird.
Results: Settlement of $7,750,000.
Gonzalez (Lazo) v. County of Suffolk, et al.
The family of Kenny Lazo bought a lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983 to redress the death of Mr. Lazo at the hands of Suffolk County Police Officers. The claims included excessive force, denial of medical care, battery, wrongful death, and negligence.
Results: The jury awarded $14,303,500 in compensatory damages and $21,500,000 in punitive damages for a total of $35,803,500. The case settled for $20,000,000.
Herbert McGraw v. City of New York, et al.
Police brutality case invoking 42 U.S.C. §1983 brought on behalf of an unhoused man in a city shelter.
Results: Settlement of $60,000.
Police Misconduct & Criminal Defense
Estate of Jimmy Lee Bruce v. Middletown
Police brutality and wrongful death action invoking 42 U.S.C. §1983 involving the wrongful use of a chokehold by an off-duty police officer.
Results: As part of the settlement, a federal judge ordered the Middletown police department and town officials to enter into a dialogue with leaders of Middletown’s Black community.
People v. Sherman Manning, Sr., Barbara Manning, and Nolan Manning
Criminal charges of felony assault, harassment, and reckless endangerment in a bias incident involving the Mannings, a Black family, and a white family. Trial of assault charges against Nolan Manning resulted in an acquittal.
Results: All charges were dismissed.
People v. Robinson; Robinson v. Village of Rockville Centre, et al.
Initially was a criminal trial, which ended in acquittal. Subsequent false arrest, police brutality, and excessive force action invoking 42 U.S.C. § 1983. After the jury trial, the verdict for the Plaintiff resulted in $443,725.
Results: Criminal charges dismissed and Plaintiffs’ verdict eventually settled without appeal.
Darryl Dodson v. City of New York
Wrongful death action invoking 42 U.S.C. § 1983 where an unarmed African American man was shot and killed by a white police officer while returning from a job interview in Brooklyn, New York.
Results: Settled during jury selection.
People v. Toombs
Toombs v. City of New York
An eighteen-year-old African American woman was arrested, charged, and beaten by a New York City police officer and suffered a broken nose and lacerations requiring sutures in her lip.
Results: Full acquittal on criminal charges. The civil suit case was settled prior to trial.
Boylan v. County of Nassau, et al.
False arrest and malicious prosecution action invoking 42 U.S.C. § 1983 where the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office brutalized a man suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The man, who was falsely accused of a crime, suffered a fractured skull and other serious injuries while in the custody of correctional officers.
Results: Criminal charges dismissed and the civil case ended with a $1,000,000 settlement.
Smith v. County of Nassau, et al.
A young African-American male under eighteen was taken off his bicycle by Nassau County Police Officers, arrested, and beaten in front of civilian witnesses.
Results: The jury awarded the Plaintiff $45,000.
Ronald Lanier v. Village of Garden City, et al.
An African-American man was racially profiled by white Village of Garden City Police Officers while shopping. The officers threw the man to the ground and proceeded to beat him.
Results: Rule 68 Judgement accepted by Ronald Lanier for $150,000.
Kelly v. County of Suffolk, et al.
An African-American man was wrongfully stopped by the Suffolk County Police and subjected to excessive force, false arrest, fabrication of evidence, abuse of process, and an attempt to cover up an extreme constitutional violation. He was shot by the Suffolk County Police and suffered serious and life-lasting physical injuries and had to undergo numerous surgeries.
Results: Settled for $1,700,000.
McCune v. County of Suffolk, et al.
Suffolk County Police beat, taunted, stunned with a taser in Plaintiff’s groin, and ground Plaintiff’s head into the concrete after he was on the ground and handcuffed.
Results: Settled for $500,000.
Besedin v. County of Nassau, et al.
A 79-year-old Air Force veteran was physically abused by two Nassau County police officers at his home, despite listening to their demands. The officers engaged were charged with excessive force, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process.
Results: The jury awarded the Plaintiff $2,360,000 in damages.