Dunham v. City of New York et al, No. 1:2011cv01223 - Document 117 (S.D.N.Y. 2019)
Court Description: OPINION AND ORDER re: 107 MOTION to Amend/Correct the Third Amended Complaint filed by Jermaine Dunham. For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Amend is GRANTED. Plaintiff shall file the Fourth Amended Complaint within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Opinion and Order, including the correct citations to the appropriate OIG reports in paragraphs 42 and 43 of the Fourth Amended Complaint. (Signed by US Magistrate Judge Sarah L Cave on 10/28/2019) (mro)
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Dunham v. City of New York et al Doc. 117 IN THE UNITED “TATE“ DI“T‘ICT COU‘T FO‘ THE “OUTHE‘N DI“T‘ICT OF NEW YO‘K JE‘MAINE DUNHAM, Plai tiff, agai st LAMA‘ OLIVE‘, et al., Defe da ts. CIVIL ACTION NO.: Ci . ALC “LC OPINION AND ORDER SARAH L. CAVE, U ited “tates Magist ate Judge: Befo e the Cou t is Plai tiff s Motio fo Lea e to A e d the Thi d A e ded Co plai t Thi d A . Co pl. a d File the P oposed Fou th A e ded Co plai t Fou th A . Co pl. ECF No. the Motio . Fo the easo s set fo th elo , Plai tiff s Motio is GRANTED. O Fe ua , I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY , Plai tiff Je ai e Du ha Du ha fili g p o se a o plai t that asse ted lai s u de of Ne Yo k the Cit ‘a U.“.C. § o e ed this a tio agai st Defe da ts the Cit , the Ne Yo k Cit Poli e Depa t e t NYPD , NYPD Co issio e o d Kell , Poli e Offi e La a Oli e , a d Joh Doe Ph si ia s at Li ol Hospital. ECF No. . Du ha alleged that o o a out Fe ua , , he suffe ed se ious i ju ies as a esult of a poli e stop a d f isk du i g hi h a poli e a i e atta ked a d it hi se e al ti es. Id. . Befo e se i e as effe ted, Du ha a e ded his o plai t fo the fi st ti e ECF No. , The Cle k of Cou t is espe tfull di e ted to update the spelli g of Defe da t La a Oli e s a e i the ase aptio f o Le a to La a . Offi e Oli e s a e as isspelled i the o igi al o plai t. Dockets.Justia.com a d the follo i g se i e, he o ed fo lea e to file the “e o d A e ded Co plai t. ECF Nos. , “e o d A . Co pl. . I a Opi io a d O de dated Ma , , the Ho o a le A d e L. Ca te , J ., U ited “tates Dist i t Judge, g a ted the otio i pa t, allo i g Du ha to asse t lai s agai st thi tee edi al staff of Li ol Medi al a d Me tal Health Ce te LMMHC , a d de ied the otio i pa t, de li i g to allo Du ha to add i state la to t lai s agai st a defe da ts, ii the NYPD as a defe da t, a d iii the poli e dog as a defe da t. ECF No. . Du ha . Cit of Ne Yo k, No. , at * “.D.N.Y. Ma , Ci . ALC HBP , WL . The pa ties p o eeded to do u e t dis o e , a d Du ha etai ed the se i es of a atto e to ep ese t hi i this a tio . ECF No. Du ha . U fo tu atel , so eti e i , s atto e as suspe ded f o the p a ti e of la fo o e ea , a d the a tio as suspe ded fo o e t o ea s hile Du ha atte pted to se u e ep ese tatio . ECF Nos. , . Afte his atto e failed to espo d to a o , u i atio s f o Du ha o the Cou t, a d afte Du ha u su essfull sought oth p o o o a d etai ed ou sel, Du ha ele ted to esu e the litigatio p o se, a d sought lea e to file the Thi d A e ded Co plai t. ECF Nos. , , . The Ho o a le He B. Pit a , U ited “tates Magist ate Judge, g a ted Du ha otio i pa t, allo i g Du ha to asse t a “e tio s ali ious p ose utio lai agai st the e isti g Defe da ts, a d de ied the otio i pa t, de li i g Du ha state la lai s a d to add a i di idual defe da t. ECF No. s e uests to asse t . Judge Ca te , i his De . , O de , o side ed Du ha s August su issio s as his p oposed “e o d A e ded Co plai t. “ee ECF No. a d “epte . e , O Ma h , , Du ha filed the Thi d A e ded Co plai t, ut the e pleadi g failed to o pl ith Magist ate Judge Pit a s O de i ludi g state la lai s a d the i di idual defe da t. ECF No. s p io pleadi gs, the Thi d A e ded . U like ea h of Du ha Co plai t did ot a e the Cit of Ne Yo k as a defe da t. Id. Adopti g Magist ate Judge Pit a s ‘epo t a d ‘e o e datio , Judge Ca te g a ted Defe da ts otio to dis iss the state la lai s a d the i di idual defe da t. ECF Nos. , . O August , , Judge Ca te e te ed a o de di e ti g the Cle k s Offi e to atte pt to lo ate p o o o ou sel fo Du ha . ECF No. . Atto e s f o “ulli a & C o ell, LLP su se ue tl e te ed oti es of appea a e to ep ese t Du ha p o o o i the dis o e phase of this a tio . ECF No. , . Follo i g a Ju e , status o fe e e, Magist ate Judge Pit a oted that the Cit as ot the a defe da t i the a tio , ut set a iefi g s hedule fo the otio fo lea e to a e d if Du ha ele ted to add the Cit as a defe da t. ECF No. . Th ough his p o o o ou sel, Du ha ti el filed the p ese t Motio a d a o pa i g p oposed Fou th A e ded Co plai t, hi h seeks to easse t lai s agai st the Cit as a defe da t. ECF Nos. II. , . RELEVANT FACTS AS ALLEGED IN THE FOURTH AMENDED COMPLAINT A. Eve ts of Fe ruary 5, Du ha s “e tio lai s a ise out of his a est, dete tio , t eat e t, a d p ose utio as alleged i the Fou th A e ded Co plai t. ECF No. . O Fe ua , Du ha lai s Offi e Philip Lo ello stopped hi a d asked hi to p odu e Pa ag aph of the Fou th A e ded Co plai t i di ates a date of Fe ua , o te t i di ates that this is a t pog aphi al e o a d should i stead ead Fe ua , ut the , . , ide tifi atio . ECF No. app o i atel ¶ pou d Ge . Lo ello as i his poli e ehi le, a o pa ied a a “hephe d poli e dog a ed ‘o o. Id. ¶ . As Du ha ea hed fo his ide tifi atio i his po ket, Lo ello e ited his poli e a ith a agitated ‘o o o a leash. Id. ¶ to a ds Du ha . Id. ¶ . ‘o o as a ki g e agg essi el a d epeatedl lu gi g . Af aid of ei g itte , Du ha asked Lo ello to hold the leash tighte , ut Lo ello said, No. He s a offi e a d he a sea h ou too! Id. . O Du ha i fo s atio a d elief, Lo ello s de isio to deplo ‘o o a d his failu e to u ‘o o s agg essi e eha io as o siste t ith NYPD p a ti es of e ou agi g o e ai i g deli e atel i diffe e t to offi e s disp opo tio ate use of fo e agai st la k i ilia s a d e ou agi g o e ai i g deli e atel i diffe e t to offi e s use of e essi e fo e. Id. ¶ Afte Lo ello e a i ed Du ha s ide tifi atio a d etu ed it to hi , Du ha elie ed he as f ee to go a d ega to alk a a , ut Lo ello put his ha d o Du ha hest to stop hi f o lea i g. Id. ¶ – s . The , [ ]ithout a a i g o p o o atio , Lo ello eleased his hold o the leash a d ‘o o i Id. ¶¶ . ediatel a d i iousl atta ked Du ha . . Du ha did ot esist the dog, a d s ea ed fo Lo ello to stop the atta k, ut i stead, Lo ello e ou aged ‘o o to o ti ue iti g Du ha . Id. ¶ . ‘o o d agged Du ha o to the pa e e t, iti g hi o the head, e k, a d left a , ausi g Du ha to leed to the poi t that he lost o s ious ess. Id. ¶¶ – . E e tuall , Du ha as t a spo ted to LMMHC, he e he as t eated fo his i ju ies, hi h i luded a . e ti ete la e atio o the left side of his e k, ultiple la e atio s o his left a , a d ites o his head. Id. ¶¶ – . He e ai ed i the hospital fo o e a eek, ha d uffed to the ed a d gua ded NYPD offi e s. Id. ¶ . Afte his elease f o LMMHC, he as dep i ed of his li e t a d kept i poli e ustod . Id. As a esult of the i ide t, Du ha s a a d e k e ai disfigu ed, a d he o ti ues to e pe ie e se e e ph si al a d ps hologi al pai a d suffe i g. Id. ¶ . “o eti e late , Du ha lea ed that at the ti e of his a est, the NYPD, i ludi g Offi e Lo ello a d Offi e La a Oli e , ho is also a defe da t i this a tio , e e sea hi g fo t o la k e , d essed i la k, ho had o ed a li e a . Id. ¶ . O the ight of the i ide t, Du ha sa s that he had a disti ti e appea a e, ith his hai i lo g d eadlo ks, a da k olo ed i te ja ket ith fau fu o the olla , lue pa ts, a d ta oots. Id. ¶ . Othe tha ei g a Af i a A e i a a , he alleges that he did ot ese le the des iptio of the suspe ts. Id. . Offi e s Lo ello a d Oli e late ade false state e ts to a g a d ju , hi h i di ted Du ha o fou ou ts of o a uitted hi . Id. ¶¶ – e , of hi h a ju ulti atel . B. Allegatio s Regardi g Poli ies a d Pra ti es Du ha alleges o i fo atio a d elief that the a tio s of Offi e s Lo ello a d Oli e e e pu sua t to lo gsta di g a d pe asi e Cit poli ies o p a ti es of e ou agi g, o e ai i g deli e atel i diffe e t to, dis i i atio agai st Af i a A e i a s i oth stoppi g the a d usi g e essi e fo e agai st the . Id. ¶ . Du ha ai tai s that Offi e Lo ello i itiall detai ed hi e ause of his a e, a d the used e essi e fo e agai st hi pu sua t to the NYPD s p a ti e of disp opo tio atel usi g fo e agai st la ks ithout justifi atio . Id. He alleges that the Cit ai tai ed a poli o p a ti e of faili g to dis ipli e offi e s ho used e essi e fo e, the e e po e i g offi e s to use fo e ithout dis ipli e. Id. ¶ . I suppo t of his allegatio s ega di g these poli ies a d p a ti es, Du ha i ludes i the Fou th A e ded Co plai t efe e es to se e al e te al sou es. Fi st, he otes the fi di g of the U ited “tates Dist i t Judge “hi a A. “ hei dli that the Cit has a usto of o du ti g u o stitutio al stops a d f isks that a e a iall dis i i ato . Id. ¶ of Ne Yo k, F. “upp. d “.D.N.Y. uoti g Flo d . Cit . Du ha also ites pu li atio s that epo ted the heighte ed likelihood fo la k a d Lati o i ilia s to e stopped the NYPD i o pa iso to hite i ilia s. Id. ¶ . With ega d to his allegatio that the NYPD had a p a ti e o poli of disp opo tio atel ta geti g la k i ilia s ith e essi e fo e, Du ha ites to pu li atio s that des i e the i ju ies that a esult f o poli e dog ites a d a e a ple of disp opo tio ate use of poli e dogs i a othe ju isdi tio . Id. ¶¶ – . He the ites to additio al statisti s a d pu li atio s allegi g the NYPD s disp opo tio ate use of fo e agai st i o it i ilia s i o pa iso to hite i ilia s. Id. ¶¶ – . Du ha alleges that, despite atte tio o lo gsta di g a d pe asi e a iall dis i i ato p a ti es ithi the NYPD, the Cit has still ot ade uatel add essed a ial dis i i atio NYPD offi e s. Id. ¶ . He ites to epo ts f o o that des i e the Cit s alleged failu e to dis ipli e offi e s fo ias o use of e essi e fo e, a d asse ts that as a esult, the NYPD has eated a e i o Id. ¶¶ – e t i hi h poli e offi e s a e o e likel to use fo e. . I pa ti ula , he ites to the O to e , epo t of the NYPD s Offi e of the I spe to Ge e al e titled Poli e Use of Fo e i Ne Yo k Cit : Fi di gs a d ‘e o o NYPD s Poli ies a d P a ti es the OIG ‘epo t . Id. ¶ e datio s . Du ha lai s that the Cit s poli ies o p a ti es of e ou agi g o tole ati g a ial dis i i atio i the use of fo e a d NYPD offi e s use of fo e agai st i o ities di e tl aused his i ju ies. Id. ¶ . C. Causes of A tio Du ha asse ts fi e auses of a tio u de of a poli e dog to atta k hi ith i ediate . Fi st, Offi e Lo ello s use o stituted e essi e fo e i iolatio of the Fou th a d Fou tee th A e d e ts. Id. ¶ p o ide hi U.“.C. § . “e o d, the failu e of Offi e s Lo ello a d Oli e to edi al atte tio o stituted deli e ate i diffe e e to his edi al eeds i iolatio of the Fou tee th A e d e t. Id. ¶ . Thi d, Offi e s Lo ello a d Oli e s false state e ts a d eatio of false e ide e ega di g the o e o stituted ali ious p ose utio i iolatio of the Fou th a d Fou tee th A e d e ts. Id. ¶ . Fou th, the Cit e ou aged, tole ated, o e ai ed deli e atel i diffe e t to the poli o idesp ead p a ti e NYPD offi e s of usi g e essi e fo e agai st i di iduals i iolatio of the Fou tee th A e d e t, a d Offi e Lo ello a ted i o fo p a ti e he he used ‘o o to atta k Du ha . Id. ¶ a e ith this poli o . Fifth a d fi all , the Cit e ou aged, tole ated, o e ai ed deli e atel i diffe e t to the poli o idesp ead p a ti e NYPD offi e s of usi g dispa ate a d e essi e fo e agai st Af i a A e i a s i iolatio of I his p oposed pleadi g, Du ha also efe s to a se o d, o e e e t epo t NYPD s Offi e of the I spe to Ge e al ECF No. ¶ , as suppo ti g his lai that, ega dless of the i ti s a e, the Cit tole ates the use of e essi e fo e faili g to dis ipli e offi e s e e he e e essi e fo e as su sta tiated, the itatio fo hi h he o e ts i his ief. “ee ECF No. at . . the Fou tee th A e d e t, a d Offi e Lo ello a ted i o fo p a ti e he he used ‘o o to atta k Du ha . Id. ¶ a e ith this poli o . Du ha seeks o pe sato da ages agai st all Defe da ts, pu iti e da ages agai st Offi e s Lo ello a d Oli e , easo a le atto e s fees, a d pe a e t i ju ti e elief p e e ti g Defe da ts f o disp opo tio atel usi g fo e agai st i di iduals ased o thei a e o tole ati g the use of e essi e fo e NYPD offi e s. Id. ¶¶ III. – . LEGAL STANDARDS A. Sta dard for Leave to A e d The ou t should f eel gi e lea e [to a e d] he justi e so e ui es. Fed. ‘. Ci . P. a . The fede al ou ts e plo a li e al poli to a d allo i g a e d e ts to o e t e o s su h as i suffi ie tl stated lai s e ause it is desi a le a d fu the s the o je ti e of dete i i g ases o thei e its. Bo d . Nola , No. * “.D.N.Y. Ap . , Ci . JFK , WL , at . I so e i u sta es, a ou t a e e allo a pa t to a e d to asse t e lai s lo g afte the ha e a ui ed the fa ts to suppo t those lai s. Id. A dist i t ou t a de lea e to a e d fo good easo , i ludi g futilit , ad faith, u due dela , o u due p ejudi e to the opposi g pa t . Du ha , uoti g Hol es . G u a , F. d , d Ci . WL , at * . A a e d e t is futile if the lai s plai tiff seeks to asse t ould ot su i e a otio to dis iss u de ‘ule Du ha , WL , at * . A lai ill e dis issed u de ‘ule . if it fails to o tai suffi ie t fa tual atte , a epted as t ue, to state a lai to elief that is plausi le o its fa e. B odt . Cit of N.Y., No. uoti g Ash oft . I al, Ci . U.“. PKC , , WL , at * “.D.N.Y. Ma . , . Fa ial plausi ilit e ists he the plai tiff pleads fa tual o te t that allo s the ou t to d a the easo a le i fe e e that the defe da t is lia le fo the is o du t alleged. I U de ‘ule al, U.“. at . , a a e d e t to a o plai t a elate a k to the o igi al o plai t fo statute of li itatio s pu poses if e tai o ditio s e ist. Fed. ‘. Ci . P. . If the a e ded lai a ose out of the o du t, t a sa tio o o u e e set fo th i the o igi al pleadi g, Fed. ‘. Ci . P , the a e d e t a e ti el . “ee Bo d, a e d e t seeks to add a e defe da t, it e ui e e ts of Fed. ‘. Ci . P. WL , at * . If the a e ti el if the lai , the p oposed defe da t has e ei ed oti e ithi the pe iod e ui ed fo se i e of the su o s a d o plai t, the p oposed defe da t ill ot e p ejudi ed, a d the p oposed defe da t k e o should ha e k o that ut fo a istake as to the ide tit of the p ope pa t , [it] ould ha e ee a ed. Bo d, * ; see Du ha , B. Se tio WL satisfies the WL , at , at * . Lia ility A lai u de “e tio ust allege that the o du t as o itted a pe so a ti g u de olo of state la , a d dep i ed [plai tiff] of ights, p i ileges, o i se u ed the Co stitutio o la s of the U ited “tates. Co ejo . Bell, Ci . i te al itatio s o itted ; Du ha , a “e tio WL F. d u ities , d , at * . A plai tiff ust i g lai ithi th ee ea s of the date the plai tiff k o s o has easo to k o of the i ju . “ee “ho o . Cit of Ne Yo k, F. d , d Ci . ; Du ha , WL , at * . A u i ipalit a ot e held lia le u de “e tio u less a tio pu sua t to offi ial u i ipal poli of so e atu e aused a o stitutio al to t. Mo ell . Dep t of “o ial “e s., U.“. , . To p e ail o a Mo ell lai agai st a u i ipalit u de “e tio ased o the a ts of a pu li offi ial, a plai tiff ust p o e: of la ; dep i atio of a o stitutio al o statuto ight; that a offi ial poli of the Wate u , F. d e su e that a , ausatio ; da ages; a d u i ipalit aused the o stitutio al i ju . ‘oe . Cit of d Ci . u i ipalit is to tfeaso . Bd. of C t . Co a tio s take u de olo . The pu pose of the fifth ele e t of this i ot [] held lia le u de § s of B a Ct . . B o , ui is to solel e ause it e plo s a U.“. , . Thus, the e ust e a di e t ausal li k et ee a u i ipal poli o usto a d the alleged o stitutio al iolatio . Ku ha z k . West heste C t ., F. “upp. d of Ca to . Ha is, Dete U.“. “.D.N.Y. uoti g Cit . i i g u i ipal lia ilit e ui es the ou t to o du t a sepa ate i hethe the e e ists a poli “.D.N.Y. , , , aff d o usto . Da is . Cit of Ne Yo k, F. App plead the poli o usto d Ci . ui F. “upp. d i to , . A plai tiff a satisf the e ui e e t to e ui e e t allegi g: a fo al poli offi iall e do sed the u i ipalit ; a tio s take go e e t offi ials espo si le fo esta lishi g the u i ipal poli ies that aused the pa ti ula dep i atio i uestio ; a p a ti e so o siste t a d idesp ead that, although ot e p essl autho ized, o stitutes a usto o usage of hi h a supe isi g poli ake ust ha e ee a a e; o a failu e poli ake s to p o ide ade uate t ai i g o supe isio to su o di ates to su h a e te t that it a ou ts to deli e ate i diffe e e to the ights of those ho o e i to o ta t ith the u i ipal e plo ees. Ku ha z k, F. “upp. d at – uoti g B a do . Cit of Ne Yo k, F. “upp. d – “.D.N.Y. i te al itatio s o itted . No , all , a [p] oof of a si gle i ide t of u o stitutio al a ti it is ot suffi ie t to i pose lia ilit u de Mo ell, u less p oof of the i ide t i ludes p oof it as ause a e isti g, u o stitutio al u i ipal poli that a e att i uted to a u i ipal poli ake . Okla. Cit . Tuttle, B ogdo . Cit of Ne ‘o helle, F. “upp. d , U.“. “.D.N.Y. , – ; see . The ulti ate uestio is hethe the plai tiff has suffi ie tl alleged that, th ough its deli e ate o du t, the u i ipalit as the Bo , U.“. at o i g fo e ehi d the alleged i ju . ‘oe, F. d at uoti g . At the pleadi g stage, the plai tiff eed ot p o e these ele e ts, ut still ust plead the suffi ie tl to ake out a plausi le lai fo elief. Ku ha z k, su i e a otio to dis iss a Mo ell lai , the , a plai tiff a of a u i ipal poli o usto , ut F. “upp. d at . To ot e el allege the e iste e ust allege fa ts te di g to suppo t, at least i u sta tiall , a i fe e e that su h a u i ipal poli o usto e ists. Id. uoti g “a tos . Ne Yo k Cit , F. “upp. d , “.D.N.Y. ; B ogdo , F. “upp. d at dis issi g Mo ell lai fo failu e to plead e ide e of the e iste e of a poli o usto , o a dete i atio a poli aki g offi ial that esulted i a iolatio of [plai tiff s] ights . [C]o luso allegatio s of a u i ipal usto o p a ti e of tole ati g offi ial is o du t a e i suffi ie t to de o st ate the e iste e of su h a usto u less suppo ted fa tual details. Ku ha z k, F. “upp. d at . IV. ANALYSIS A. The Mo ell Clai Relates Ba k A d Is Therefore Ti ely The Cit fi st opposes Du ha s e uest to add a Mo ell u i ipal lia ilit lai o the g ou d that the lai does ot elate a k u de ‘ule ECF No. C a d is the efo e u ti el . at – . The Cou t disag ees. Fi st, ‘ule C is ot the ele a t p o isio fo pu poses of e aluati g the ti eli ess of Du ha s p oposed a e d e t. Du ha a ed the Cit as a defe da t i his o igi al o plai t ECF No. , as ell as i the Fi st a d “e o d A e ded Co plai ts. ECF Nos. , . Although Du ha , o e agai p o eedi g p o se afte his dis a ed atto e a a do ed hi a d this a tio as suspe ded fo o e tha t o ea s, did ot i lude the Cit o the list of a ed defe da ts i his Thi d A e ded Co plai t, as Judge Ca te oted i uli g o Du ha s otio fo lea e to file the “e o d A e ded Co plai t, the Ne Yo k Cit Cha te e ui es that [a]ll a tio s a d p o eedi gs fo the e o e of pe alties fo the iolatio of a la shall e ought i the a e of the Cit of Ne Yo k a d ot i that of a age § , e ept he e othe ise p o ided la . ECF No. at uoti g N.Y.C. Cha te Ch. . The Cit has thus effe ti el ee a pa t i i te est th oughout this a tio . A o di gl , the p ope i ui is ot hethe Du ha a asse t a ti el lai agai st a e defe da t u de ‘ule C , ut athe u de ‘ule B , hi h asks hethe the e lai agai st a e isti g defe da t a ose out of the o du t, t a sa tio , o o u e e set out—o atte pted to e set out—i the o igi al pleadi g. Fed. ‘. Ci . P. o B . Du ha a gues pe suasi el that his Mo ell lai agai st the Cit does sha e a o o e of ope ati e fa ts, that is, Du ha s i te a tio s ith the NYPD o Fe ua , , ith the fa ts he alleged i ea h of his p io pleadi gs. ECF No. uoti g T ia o . To of Ha iso , F. “upp. d , . “.D.N.Y. at . The su sta e of his o stitutio al lai s has e ai ed the sa e as i the p io pleadi gs i hi h the Cit as a ed as a defe da t: that he as o gfull su je ted to e essi e fo e o a ou t of his a e, i iolatio of his o stitutio al ights. Co pa e ECF No. Nos. , , . Du ha Yo k, F. “upp. , s Mo ell lai ests o this sa e fa tual o e. Hood . Cit of Ne “.D.N.Y. . The Cit o edes that it had oti e of Du ha Fe ua , ith ECF ECF No. s la suit o the da it as filed at , a d that Du ha s pleadi gs a e e titled to li e al i te p etatio . Id. at . The Cit e e theless o te ds that Du ha u dul dela ed gi i g the Cit oti e of his p oposed Mo ell lai aiti g eight ea s afte he fi st a e ded his o plai t, to the p ejudi e of the Cit s defe se. ECF No. at – poi ts to a foot ote i Magist ate Judge Pit a s opi io o Du ha . I suppo t, the Cit s otio fo lea e to file the Thi d A e ded Co plai t that listed the ele e ts of a Mo ell lai as p oof that Du ha had failed to allege u i ipal lia ilit i that p oposed pleadi g. Id. at iti g ECF No. . at . That foot ote, ho e e , appea s i the se tio of the opi io dis ussi g the p oposed ali ious p ose utio lai , a d Magist ate Judge Pit a ade o fi di g, e p ess o i plied, as to hethe Du ha ould allege a Mo ell lai . ECF No. The Cit s dela a gu e t o e looks the allegatio s i Du ha at . s p oposed “e o d A e ded Co plai t a out the Cit s espo si ilit fo the a tio s of Offi e s Lo ello a d The Cit states that the Co plai t as filed o Fe ua , Fe ua , , so the Cou t assu es that Fe ua , , ut it appea s o the do ket o is a t pog aphi al e o . Oli e : Du ha alleged that the Cit as u de a dut to t ai , i st u t, supe ise, di e t a d o t ol its poli e offi e s to i te a t i a easo a le a d p ude t a e oth i thei deali gs ith the ge e al pu li as ell as i aki g a ests a d i estigati g i es. ECF No. ¶¶ – . As Du ha poi ts out i his ief, these allegatio s ha e o legal sig ifi a e u less he i te ded to asse t a Mo ell lai . ECF No. at Joh so , No. , Ci . F. “upp. at DC , The o WL , at * “.D.N.Y. O t. uoti g Mask . . “ee also Hood, i atio of the pro se o plai t s allegatio s of u o stitutio al a ts o the pa t of the o e tio offi e s a d the fa t that the Cit as a ed as a defe da t should ha e put the Cit o oti e that plai tiff as atte pti g, al eit u su essfull , to asse t so e fo of supe iso lia ilit agai st it. . Fu the p e iousl oted, Du ha o e, as Magist ate Judge Pit a s o issio of the Cit as a a ed defe da t i his p o se Thi d A e ded Co plai t as i ad e te t. ECF No. at . I additio , dela alo e, a se t a sho i g of ad faith o u due p ejudi e, does ot p o ide a asis fo a dist i t ou t to de the ight to a e d. “tate Tea he s ‘et. Bd. . Fluo Co p., , F. d d Ci . , d Ci . ; see also Pa ke . Colu [W]e ha e held epeatedl that to justif de ial of a ‘ule ia Pi tu es I dus., F. d e e dela is ot, of itself, suffi ie t a otio . . . . He e, e e though a sig ifi a t pe iod of ti e has passed p io to fili g a otio to a e d, the e is a ade uate e pla atio fo the dela : the o fo i atio of his p o se status, the suspe sio of this a tio fo o e t o ea s follo i g his e atto e s dis a e t, a d hat Magist ate Judge Pit a oted as the i ad e te t o issio of the Cit f o his Thi d A e ded Co plai t ECF No. at . This o i atio of fa to s o stitutes a plausi le e pla atio fo the dela . Age F. “upp. d , “.D.N.Y. i k . Model “e i e LLC, . Fi all , e ause the Cit has ee pa ti ipati g i this a tio si e the egi had oti e of Du ha i g a d s Mo ell lai s i the “e o d A e ded Co plai t, it ill ot e u dul p ejudi ed allo i g the a e d e t o . “ee Mask, WL , at * fi di g o p ejudi e he e the Cit ha[d] ee i ol ed i this ase esse tiall si e its i eptio WL ; Bo d, , at * Whe e the e is o st u ti e oti e, ge e all the e is also a a se e of p ejudi e. Du ha is o ep ese ted p o o o ou sel e p essl fo the pu poses of dis o e ECF Nos. , , , hi h ill fa ilitate the pa ties o pletio of dis o e o the Mo ell lai , as ell as a othe e ai i g fa t dis o e . All p et ial deadli es ha e ee adjou ed si e die, a d o t ial date has ee set ECF No. , so the Cit s a ilit to o plete its defe se is ot at isk. “ee Ma gel . E.G.L. Ge La Ltd., No. PAC HBP , WL , at * “.D.N.Y. Fe . , Ci . oti g that [t]he p ejudi e that ould flo f o a additio al e ui ed dis o e a ge e all e itigated adjust e ts to the dis o e s hedule . The Cit has the efo e ot et its u de of de o st ati g that su sta tial p ejudi e ould esult f o allo i g the a e d e t. Age i k, at , ; see A.V. Ve sa e, I . . Gia i Ve sa e “.p.A., F. “upp. d F. “upp. d “.D.N.Y. allegatio s that a a e d e t ill e ui e the e pe ditu e of additio al ti e, effo t, o o e do ot o stitute u due p ejudi e . A o di gl , the Cou t fi ds that Du ha elates a k u de ‘ule s p oposed Mo ell lai agai st the Cit B , a d is the efo e ti el . B. Du ha ’s A e d e t Would Not Be Futile . Du ha plausi ly alleges o e or ore o stitutio al violatio s Du ha s Mo ell lai p ese ts t o pote tial theo ies of u i ipal lia ilit . Fi st, he alleges that Offi e Lo ello s use of a poli e dog to atta k hi o stituted e essi e fo e i iolatio of the Fou th a d Fou tee th A e d e ts. ECF No. ¶ . A poli e offi e s use of fo e is e essi e i iolatio of the Fou th A e d e t if it is o je ti el u easo a le i light of the fa ts a d i u sta es o f o ti g the , ithout ega d to the offi e s u de l i g i te t o oti atio . Ca pe te . Cit of Ne Yo k, “.D.N.Y. , i te al itatio o itted . Whethe the fo e used as u easo a le, a d the efo e e essi e, i ol es a fa t spe ifi i at issue, F. “upp. d ui that o side s hethe the a estee poses a i othe s, a d the se e it of the i e ediate th eat to the safet of the offi e s o hethe the a estee is a ti el esisti g a est o atte pti g to flee. Ma li . Cit of Ne Yo k, No. G aha . Co o , Ci . U.“. , , WL , at * “.D.N.Y. “ept. , iti g . The se e it of the plai tiff s alleged i ju ies is highl ele a t, although ot dispositi e to the a al sis of hethe the offi e s fo e as easo a le. Ma li , , WL WL , at * , at * “.D.N.Y. De . uoti g Joh so . Poli e Offi e # , , Ci . . If the i ju ies a e o e tha de i i is, ou ts ge e all de li e to dis iss o the pleadi gs, espe iall he e the i es a e elati el i o o o e iste t a d the a estee does ot pose a ph si al th eat. Ma li , WL , at * . The Cit appea s ot to dispute that Du ha has suffi ie tl alleged a “e tio e essi e fo e lai . “ee ECF No. at the o l u de l i g o stitutio al lai is fo e essi e fo e . He e, Du ha does allege i ju ies that a e o e tha de i i is see sup a “e tio II. B , a d the allegatio s i the p oposed Fou th A e ded Co plai t do ot suggest that Du ha posed a safet th eat o as a ti el esisti g a est. Ma li at * ; see also id. at * WL , Despite the fa t that the i es at issue e e ot se ious, a d that Plai tiff posed o safet th eat, the fo e used to a est Plai tiff as g eat a d the i ju ies he sustai ed e e se ious. Although a g a d ju ulti atel i di ted Du ha fo the se ious i e of o e , at the ti e Offi e Lo ello allegedl u leashed ‘o o o Du ha , Du ha alleges his a e, athe tha p o a le ause to elie e he o itted the o as the easo fo stoppi g hi a d usi g e essi e fo e. ECF No. e i uestio , ¶ . A o di gl , Du ha has alleged a Fou th a d Fou tee th A e d e t e essi e fo e lai o hi h a Mo ell lai ould e p edi ated. A se o d pote tial theo of u i ipal lia ilit a ises f o Du ha s allegatio that the offi e s stoppi g hi a d usi g e essi e fo e agai st hi as a iall dis i i ato i iolatio of the E ual P ote tio Clause of the Fou tee th A e d e t, hi h esse tiall di e t[s] that all pe so s si ila l situated e t eated alike. Cit of Cle u e . Cle u e Li i g Ct ., I ., U.“. , . He ai tai s that his is a p otot pi al e ual p ote tio lai of a ial dis i i atio . ECF No. “upp. d , “.D.N.Y. at uoti g Fie o . N.Y.C. Dep t of Edu ., F. . Although the Cit a gues that Du ha has addu ed o e ide e that, o pa ed to those si ila l situated to hi , he has ee sele ti el t eated, ECF No. at e phasis added , the ua tit of e ide e is ot the sta da d of e ie at this stage. “ee sup a p. hi as that he, like the o . He e, Du ha has alleged that the easo Offi e Lo ello stopped e suspe t, as Af i a A e i a , a d that Offi e Lo ello used e essi e fo e i the fo of the poli e dog e ause of his a e. ECF No. ¶ . A epti g these allegatio s as t ue at this stage of the p o eedi gs, Du ha has lea ed the fi st hu dle to asse ti g a Mo ell lai . “ee ‘agusa . Cit of Ne Yo k, “.D.N.Y. F. “upp. d , oti g that, suffi ie tl allegi g the u de l i g o stitutio al iolatio is the hu dle that t ips up a plai tiffs . . Du ha plausi ly alleges u i ipal poli ies The Cit asks the Cou t to dis ega d[] Du ha a d the a gues that Du ha s lai s ased o his stop o a est, s Mo ell lai fails fo la k of e ide e of a p a ti es a out ta geti g la k i ilia s fo e essi e fo e i . ECF No. at . Fo the easo s set fo th a o e, ho e e , the Cou t has fou d that oth the e essi e fo e a d the E ual P ote tio theo ies a e ia le p edi ates fo the Mo ell lai . “ee sup a pp. – . Tu i g to hethe Du ha has suffi ie tl alleged u i ipal usto o poli , Du ha poi ts to the fa ts ega di g the NYPD s o siste t a d idesp ead p a ti e i of dis i i ati g agai st la k i ilia s, i ludi g Du ha , i iolatio of the E ual P ote tio Clause of the Fou tee th A e d e t, ta geti g the fo stops, a ests a d e essi e fo e. ECF No. at . I suppo t of his lai , he elies o the p e ede t i Flo d . Cit of Ne Yo k, i hi h Judge “ hei dli fou d that the Cit s poli of ta geti g the ight people fo stops lea l iolates the E ual P ote tio Clause. ECF No. “upp. d at . Du ha otes that Flo d as filed i Ja ua ulti atel fou d that [f]o the pe iod th ough at uoti g Flo d, F. a d that Judge “ hei dli , afte o t olli g fo suspe ted i e a d p e i t ha a te isti s, la ks ho e e stopped [ the NYPD] e e a out likel . . . tha hites to e su je ted to the use of fo e. F. “upp. d at % o e . Apa t f o Flo d, Du ha also poi ts to othe pu li atio s that appea to e ased o NYPD data a d statisti s that de o st ate the Cit pe itted a d tole ated the NYPD s use of disp opo tio ate fo e agai st la ks a d failed to dis ipli e offi e s ho used e essi e fo e. ECF No. at iti g Fou th A . Co pl. ¶¶ p e a d post date – ; id. at . listi g pu li atio s that . The Cou t fi ds that these allegatio s suffi ie tl allege a u i ipal poli du i g the ele a t ti e pe iod to allo Du ha to i lude the Mo ell lai i his Fou th A e ded Co plai t “ee Ku ha z k, F. “upp. d at fi di g allegatio s suppo ted Depa t e t of Justi e epo t that ide tified idesp ead p a ti e to allege plausi le Mo ell lai Cit of Ne Yo k, No. Ci . AJN , WL , at * “.D.N.Y. Aug. ; Bishop . , allo i g a e d e t to asse t Mo ell lai fo u o stitutio al stop a d f isk he e plai tiff elied o Flo d a d des i ed a u histle lo e epo ts ; ‘agusa, e of fo s of e ide e i ludi g statisti s a d F. “upp. d at lai ased o the stop a d f isk p og a allo i g a e d e t to asse t Mo ell of Ne Yo k Cit , hi h as i full s i g at the ti e of th[e] i ide t . The Cou t otes that so e of the Dist i t Judges i this Dist i t ha e ea hed diffe e t o lusio s ega di g the suffi ie of the OIG ‘epo t to esta lish the u i ipal poli ele e t of a Mo ell lai . Co pa e Delo e Bell . Cit of Ne Yo k, No. WL , at * – “.D.N.Y. Ap . , , at * “.D.N.Y. Ap . , LG“ , dis issi g Mo ell lai that elied e lusi el o the OIG epo t a d Boddie . Cit of Ne Yo k, No. WL Ci . Ci . GHW , fi di g that the OIG epo t as i suffi ie t to allege that the Cit as o oti e of the alleged patte of is o du t e ause the i ide t at issue took pla e efo e the OIG epo t as pu lished ith Ma li , WL , at * – fi di g that pu li atio s plai tiff ited, oupled ith the data o hi h the OIG ‘epo t as ased p o ide[d] suffi ie t fa tual suppo t to fo e lose dis issal of the Mo ell lai . He e, ie i g the fa ts i the light ost fa o a le to Du ha , as the Cou t ust do i o side i g the p oposed a e d e t, the Cou t fi ds that Du ha s allegatio s, hi h i lude ut a e ot li ited to the OIG ‘epo t, eate a plausi le i fe e e that i Fe ua the NYPD had a poli o p a ti e of stoppi g a d usi g e essi e fo e o the asis of a e, that the Cit had oti e of ut did ot e ed the poli o p a ti e, as sho dis ipli e offi e s, a d that the Cit s failu e to a t aused Du ha WL , at * the failu e to s i ju ies. “ee Ma li , . V. CONCLUSION Fo the fo egoi g easo s, Plai tiff s Motio fo Lea e to A e d is GRANTED. Plai tiff shall file the Fou th A e ded Co plai t ithi fou tee da s of the date of this Opi io a d O de , i ludi g the o e t itatio s to the app op iate OIG epo ts i pa ag aphs of the Fou th A e ded Co plai t. Dated: O to e , Ne Yo k, Ne Yo k __________________________ SARAH L. CAVE U ited States Magistrate Judge a d
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