By David Kocieniewski
Newsday, November 14, 1991
 

The 10 largest police brutality claims New York City paid in 1990 costtaxpayers $6.8 million and involved 34 officers. Two officers were convictedof assault in one incident that resulted in two lawsuits. City attorneyssaid that in the other cases, they stand behind the officers' innocence,including the cases that were settled.
 

Number 9:

Domingo Ortiz

Date: Dec. 14, 1982

Complaint: Ortiz, a bicycle messenger, said an officer, wrongly believingthat his bicycle was stolen, beat him with a nightstick at 54th Streetand Madison Avenue. Two witnesses reported the incident to the CivilianComplaint Review Board and gave a physical description of the officer,the name "Moore" on his name tag and a partial badge number.
 
Action: The review board closed the case because it did not know whothe victim was, had no record of an arrest at that location and couldn'tidentify the officer. Meanwhile, Ortiz filed suit, and his lawyer foundout that Officer Gregory Moore had recorded issuing a summons to Ortizat the time and place of the alleged beating. The city settled the casefor $350,000. No disciplinary action taken against officer.
 
SOURCES: City comptroller's office, court records.