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Settlement

This document outlines a settlement agreement between plaintiffs and the City of New York regarding lawsuits alleging violations of constitutional rights during protests in 2020. Key points: - The parties agree to settle without admitting fault or liability. - The settlement establishes a process for notifying class members, submitting claims, opting out, and objecting. - Eligible class members who submit claims will receive monetary awards from a total settlement amount paid by the City within set timeframes. - The agreement is subject to court approval, including preliminary approval of the settlement terms and class certification, then final approval after the claims process.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
585 views37 pages

Settlement

This document outlines a settlement agreement between plaintiffs and the City of New York regarding lawsuits alleging violations of constitutional rights during protests in 2020. Key points: - The parties agree to settle without admitting fault or liability. - The settlement establishes a process for notifying class members, submitting claims, opting out, and objecting. - Eligible class members who submit claims will receive monetary awards from a total settlement amount paid by the City within set timeframes. - The agreement is subject to court approval, including preliminary approval of the settlement terms and class certification, then final approval after the claims process.

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Queens Post
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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You are on page 1/ 37

Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 1 of 37

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
-------------------------------------------------------------------------X
SAMIRA SIERRA, AMALI SIERRA,
RICARDO NIGAGLIONI, ALEX GUTIERREZ,
and CHARLES WOOD, on behalf of themselves and
all others similarly situated,

Plaintiffs,

-against-
20-CV-10291 (CM)(GWG)
CITY OF NEW YORK, a municipal entity; and 20-CV-10541 (CM)(GWG)
BILL DE BLASIO, TERENCE A. MONAHAN,
KENNETH LEHR, ROBERT GALLITELLI,
HARRY WEDIN, JOHN D’ADAMO, GERARD
DOWLING, JULIO DELGADO, KENNETH RICE,
THOMAS GARGUILO, JOHN MIGLIACCIO,
THOMAS MOSHER,

Defendants.
------------------------------------------------------------------------X

STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT AND ORDER

This class action lawsuit settlement agreement is made and entered into as of the

28th day of February, 2023, by and among Defendants City of New York, former Mayor Bill De

Blasio, Terence A. Monahan, Kenneth Lehr, Robert Gallitelli, Harry Wedin, John D’Adamo,

Gerard Dowling, Julio Delgado, Kenneth Rice, Thomas Garguilo, John Migliaccio, and Thomas

Mosher (collectively, the “Defendants”); and Plaintiffs Samira Sierra, Amali Sierra, Ricardo

Nigaglioni, Alex Gutierrez, and Charles Wood, on behalf of themselves and the plaintiff class of

which they are proposed Class Representatives (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) (altogether, the

“Parties”).

WHEREAS, on December 7, 2020, plaintiffs Samira Sierra, Amali Sierra, Ricardo

Nigaglioni, and Alex Gutierrez commenced this action by filing a complaint under 20 Civ. 10291,

on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, alleging, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983,

1
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 2 of 37

violations of their rights under the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States

Constitution; and

WHEREAS, on December 14, 2020, plaintiff Charles Wood commenced this

action under 20 Civ. 10541 by filing a complaint, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging violations

of his rights under the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution;

and

WHEREAS, on September 16, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a consolidated and Amended

Class Action Complaint (“this Civil Action”), on behalf of themselves and all others similarly

situated, consolidating both actions and alleging violations of their rights under the First, Fourth

and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and certain state law claims; and

WHEREAS, Defendants have denied any and all liability arising out of Plaintiffs’

allegations; and

WHEREAS, the Parties now desire to resolve the issues raised in this litigation

without further proceedings and without admitting any fault or liability; and

WHEREAS, the terms of this Stipulation of Settlement and Order (“Stipulation”)

were extensively and vigorously negotiated in good faith over several months; and

WHEREAS, the negotiations have resulted in this Stipulation, which, subject to

the approval of the Court, settles this Civil Action in the manner and upon the terms set forth

below; and

WHEREAS, the signatories hereby represent that they are fully authorized to enter

into this Stipulation and to bind the Parties to the terms and conditions hereof, subject to Court

approval.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 3 of 37

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED, by and

between the undersigned, as follows:

INTRODUCTION

1. The terms of this Stipulation provide a substantial benefit to the Settlement

Class, as defined below. The Parties consider this Settlement Agreement to be fair, reasonable,

and adequate.

2. Defendants deny any and all liability and deny that they had or have a

policy, or engaged in or currently engage in a pattern or practice, that deprived persons of their

rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution and laws of the United

States and the State of New York.

3. This Stipulation does not, and shall not be deemed to, constitute an

admission by Defendants as to the validity or accuracy of any of the allegations, assertions, or

claims made by Plaintiffs. This Stipulation does not constitute an admission, adjudication, or

finding on the merits of this Civil Action.

SETTLEMENT SCHEDULE

4. The Parties propose to administer the Settlement on the following schedule

with a Final Fairness Hearing to be held on October 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (or a later date and

time set by the Court):

EVENT DATE

Stipulation is signed by the Parties February 28, 2023

City provides Class Counsel with 30 days after Stipulation is signed or 14


documentation of any potential Class Member days after the Court grants Preliminary
with a settled claim Approval, whichever is later

3
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 4 of 37

Plaintiffs file Motion seeking Preliminary


Approval of the Settlement, class certification,
February 28, 2023
approval of the Claims Administrator, along
with the Stipulation of Settlement and Order

Preliminary Approval Order TBD (“Preliminary Approval Date”)

City to start to pay the Claims Administrator


within 15 days of Preliminary
costs necessary to fulfill the Proposed Notice
Approval Date
Plan (as set forth herein)

Parties to provide Claims Administrator


within 15 days of Preliminary
with necessary information concerning
Approval Date
Class Members

within 30 days of Preliminary


Notification to Class Members
Approval Date

Bar Date (i.e., deadline to submit Claims 180 days after Preliminary
Forms, Opt Outs, and objections) Approval Date

Plaintiffs to file Motion for Final Approval of October 17, 2023


Settlement (one week before Fairness Hearing)

Fairness Hearing October 24, 2023


(or a later date and time set by the Court)

Final Approval Order TBD (“Final Approval Date”)

31 days after Final Approval Date


(unless an appeal is taken, in which case,
Effective Date
15 business days after affirmance of the
Final Approval Order)

Payment of the Total Class Settlement Amount


45 days after Final Approval Order
by the City, Class Representatives service
awards, and attorneys’ fees and costs)

Claims Administrator pays all valid Claims Within 30 days of receipt of the Total
Awards Class Settlement Amount from the City

4
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 5 of 37

DEFINITIONS

The terms described below shall have the meanings defined in this Section

wherever used in this Stipulation, and for the purposes of this Stipulation only.

5. “Bar Date” is the date established by the Court by which any presumptive

Class Member who wishes to receive payment pursuant to this Stipulation must submit a Claim

Form.

6. “City” means the City of New York.

7. “Civil Action” means the above-captioned litigation before the Honorable

Colleen McMahon in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

8. “Class Notice” means the long-form class notice to be mailed to potential

class members, and which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

9. “Class Notice Summary” means the short-form class notice to be published

as described herein at paragraph 37, and which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

10. “Claim Form” means the form that Class Members must complete and

timely submit in order to receive payment under this Settlement, and which is attached hereto as

Exhibit C.

11. “Claim Package” means the Class Notice and Claim Form.

12. “Claims Administrator” or “Administrator” means the firm appointed by

the Court to administer the class and whose duties are defined below, in paragraphs 48 through 70.

The Parties agree to Rust Consulting, Inc. as the Claims Administrator for this Settlement.

13. “Claims Award” means the amount to be paid to each class member who

timely submits a claim form as defined in paragraph 40.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 6 of 37

14. “Class Counsel” means Hamilton Clarke LLP, Rickner PLLC, Kaufman

Lieb Lebowitz & Frick LLP, and Michael Spiegel, Esq.

15. “Class Members” means individuals who satisfy the Class Definition in

paragraph 32.

16. “Class Representatives” or “Plaintiffs” means Samira Sierra, Amali Sierra,

Ricardo Nigaglioni, Alex Gutierrez and Charles Woods.

17. “Class Representative Service Awards” means the service award payments

to Plaintiffs as described in paragraph 41.

18. “Counsel for Defendants” or “Defendants’ Counsel” means the New York

City Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel.

19. “Court” means the United States District Court for the Southern District of

New York.

20. “Defendants” means the City of New York, former Mayor Bill De Blasio,

Terence A. Monahan, Kenneth Lehr, Robert Gallitelli, Harry Wedin, John D’Adamo, Gerard

Dowling, Julio Delgado, Kenneth Rice, Thomas Garguilo, John Migliaccio, and Thomas Mosher.

21. “Effective Date for Payment” is forty-five (45) days after the Final

Approval Date, unless an appeal is taken from the Final Approval Order, in which case, the

“Effective Date for Payment” is fifteen (15) business days after any appeal is exhausted and the

Court enters an order confirming approval of this Stipulation of Settlement and Order.

22. “Final Approval Order” means an order entered by the Court, after a

Fairness Hearing, granting final approval to this Stipulation of Settlement and Order, approving

Class Counsel’s fees and costs, and approving Class Representative Service Award, and

dismissing the Civil Action with prejudice, unless the Court orders otherwise.

6
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 7 of 37

23. “Final Approval Date” means the date of entry by the Court of the Final

Approval Order.

24. “NYPD” means the New York City Police Department.

25. “Opt-Out” is any Class Member who submits a timely request to be

excluded from this Settlement as described in the Class Notice and Summary Class Notice and in

paragraphs 71 through 75.

26. “Parties” means Plaintiffs and Defendants as described herein at paragraphs

16 and 20.

27. “Preliminary Approval Date” means the date of entry of the Preliminary

Approval Order by the Court.

28. “Preliminary Approval Order” means the order entered by the Court

preliminarily approving this Stipulation, scheduling a Fairness Hearing, appointing the Claims

Administrator, appointing class counsel, and approving a plan of notice to the Class and claims

administration.

29. “Released Parties” means any and all Defendants, namely the City of New

York, former Mayor Bill De Blasio, Terence A. Monahan, Kenneth Lehr, Robert Gallitelli, Harry

Wedin, John D’Adamo, Gerard Dowling, Julio Delgado, Kenneth Rice, Thomas Garguilo, John

Migliaccio, and Thomas Mosher, and any of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors,

successors and/or assigns and in the case of all such entities, their respective past and present

representatives, officers, directors, attorneys, agents, employees, privies and insurers.

30. “Released Claims” means any and all claims for physical injury, emotional

distress, loss of liberty, or excessive detention, and/or any other damages including, but not limited

to, damages arising from claims of false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, delayed or

7
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 8 of 37

excessive detention, illegal search under New York State Law, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and any other

applicable federal, state (including state law false arrest and false imprisonment, assault and

battery, denial of medical attention, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress,

negligent hiring, screening, retention, training, supervision, and discipline, and excessive

detention), or local statutes, common law, or regulation that were or could have been asserted by

the Class Representatives and/or any Class Member against the Released Parties based upon or

arising out of the same transactions, series of connected transactions, occurrences or nucleus of

operative facts that form the basis of the claims that were or could have been asserted in this Civil

Action. This Release does not include or cover any actions or omissions occurring after the

Preliminary Approval Date.

31. “Total Class Settlement Amount” is the total amount to be paid by the City

for all timely valid Claims accepted in accordance with the terms, conditions, and instructions in

this Stipulation, minus any monies that are subject to any applicable liens.

SETTLEMENT CLASS DEFINITION

32. The “Settlement Class” means all persons who were detained, arrested,

and/or subjected to force by police officers on June 4, 2020, on East 136th Street between Brook

Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, and all

persons who also were given a summons or Desk Appearance Ticket following their arrest at that

location, and allege any of the Released Claims described herein at paragraph 30.

33. Excluded from the Settlement Class are individuals who have settled claims

with New York City Comptroller’s Office arising out of the events on June 4, 2020 on East 136th

Street from Brown Place to Brook Avenue at Mott Haven, in the Bronx, New York. Also excluded

are individuals who brought lawsuits against the City and/or individual members of NYPD arising

8
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 9 of 37

out of the events on June 4, 2020 on East 136th Street from Brown Place to Brook Avenue, at Mott

Haven, in the Bronx, New York, and whose claims were settled, dismissed or otherwise disposed.

CLASS CERTIFICATION

34. The Parties agree to the certification of a class pursuant to Rule 23(c) and

Rule 23(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

35. Class Counsel will submit a motion to the Court, on consent of Defendants,

seeking certification of the Settlement Class at the time Class Counsel seeks preliminary approval.

PROPOSED NOTICE PLAN

36. Direct Mailing: Notice of this Civil Action shall be provided to Class

Members by mailing the Claim Package to all individuals known to the parties who satisfy the

Settlement Class Definition. The address used for the initial mailing shall be each Class Member’s

last known address.

37. Publication Notice: The Parties shall cause to be published a Class Notice

Summary in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. Such Notice shall be published in The Daily

News and El Diario, in English and in Spanish, three times within the same three-week period, or

as otherwise ordered by the Court. The City will bear the cost of this publication.

38. Website: As described below, the Claims Administrator will establish a

website containing information about this lawsuit and settlement, and where anyone can view this

Settlement Stipulation and Order, the Class Notice attached at Exhibit A. At this website, a Class

Member may also obtain a Claim Form and submit a Claim Form.

39. At least one week before the Fairness Hearing, Class Counsel shall file with

the Court a declaration confirming that Notice was provided consistent with the Stipulation and

any Preliminary Approval Order entered by the Court.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 10 of 37

CLAIMS AWARDS TO CLASS MEMBERS

40. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Stipulation of Settlement and

Order, and the Class Definition at paragraph 32, the City agrees to pay $21,500.00 (Twenty-One

Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) to each Class Member and an additional $2,500.00 (Two

Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) for a total of $24,000 (Twenty-Four Thousand Dollars) to each

Class Member who was also given a Desk Appearance Ticket. These Class Members must have

timely submitted a Claim Form and be eligible for payment under the Class Definition as set forth

in paragraph 32 and not excluded from the Settlement Class as set forth in Paragraph 33.

Approximately 320 individuals meet the Settlement Class Definition as set forth in paragraph 32

and less than 100 individuals are believed to be excluded from the Settlement Class as set forth in

Paragraph 33.

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE SERVICE PAYMENT AWARDS

41. Subject to the Court’s approval, the City agrees to pay awards for the

services provided to the class by each Class Representative, including engaging in discovery and

being deposed, in the amount of $21,500.00 (Twenty-One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars).

These service payment awards shall be in addition to any amounts otherwise due to them with

respect to their individual claim as Class Members.

FUNDING OF THE SETTLEMENT

42. No later than fifteen (15) days after the Preliminary Approval Order, the

City shall pay the Claims Administrator the costs necessary to fulfill the Proposed Notice Plan

described in paragraphs 36 to 39 and any other notice requirements established by the Court in the

Preliminary Approval Order. This initial payment shall be fifty percent (50%) of the total amount

estimated to fulfil the Claims Administrator’s duties to the Class, plus the reasonable cost for

publishing the Class Notice Summary. If the Settlement is not ultimately approved by the Court,

10
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 11 of 37

then all such funds paid to the Claims Administrator, to the extent they are available after payment

of all accrued class administration expenses, shall be returned to the City.

43. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Stipulation and final approval of

the Court, the City shall, by the Effective Date for Payment, deposit or cause to be deposited into

a bank account designated by the Claims Administrator, the Total Class Settlement Amount. The

Total Class Settlement Amount will be determined from the calculations made by the Claims

Administrator of the eligible Claims Forms that are timely submitted.

44. No payment shall be made to eligible Class Members before the Effective

Date for Payment. Claims will be processed between the date of Preliminarily Approval and the

Effective Date for Payment. Upon the Effective Date for Payment, processed claims may be paid.

45. Within 45 days of the Final Approval Order, the City will pay the Class

Representative Service Awards, as set forth in paragraph 41. Plaintiffs shall execute and deliver to

the Defendants’ Counsel all documents necessary to effect such payments to them, including,

without limitation, General Releases, Affidavit of Status of Liens, and W-9s. Prior to tendering

the requisite documents, Medicare-recipient plaintiffs must obtain and submit a final demand letter

from their Medicare provider(s) for the reimbursement of any conditional payments made for the

injuries claimed in this matter. A Medicare Set-Aside Trust may also be required if future

anticipated medical costs are found to be necessary pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b) and 42 C.F.R.

§§ 411.22 through 411.26.

46. Within 45 days of the Final Approval Order or a court order as a result of a

fee application (whichever is later), the City will pay Class Counsel any amount awarded by the

Court for attorneys’ fees and costs – unless a party appeals the Court’s award of attorneys’ fees,

in which case, the City will pay Class Counsel the amount awarded by the Court for attorneys’

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 12 of 37

fees and costs within 15 business days of the final appellate decision or district court order

concerning fees and costs. Class Counsel shall execute and deliver to Defendants’ Counsel all

documents necessary to effect such payments to them, including without limitation, General

Releases and W-9s.

47. Any funds remaining of the Total Class Settlement Amount after award

payments to Class Members and any bank account interest will revert to the City of New York one

year after the Effective Date for Payment.

CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR

48. The Parties agree that the Court should appoint Rust Consulting, Inc., as the

Claims Administrator. Rust Consulting, Inc., has provided the Parties a proposal setting forth the

estimated administrative costs of fulfilling the responsibilities set forth herein. The City agrees to

pay the administrative costs set forth in the proposal from Rust Consulting dated February 10,

2023. Within 15 days of the Preliminary Approval Order, the City will pay Rust Consulting 50%

of the amount set forth in the proposal from Rust Consulting dated February 10, 2023. Thereafter,

the City will make payments for the work performed based on monthly Statements provided by

Rust Consulting, Inc. as set forth herein paragraph 70. In no event will the City pay administrative

costs in excess of $25,000.00, plus the reasonable cost for publishing the Class Notice Summary.

49. The Claims Administrator shall (1) transmit the Claim Package, in both

English and Spanish, to Class Members by means listed in this Stipulation unless otherwise

directed by the Court; (2) establish a website where information about the Settlement will be

available and where Class Members can ask, and receive responses to, questions; (3) publish the

summary Class Notice as set forth in this Stipulation, unless otherwise directed by the Court; (4)

respond to questions from Class Members; (5) review and assess the validity of information in the

Claims Forms submitted by Class Members; (6) calculate the amounts of payments to the

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 13 of 37

individual Class Members consistent with this Stipulation; (7) arrange for and distribute payments

to Class Members as set forth in this Stipulation; (8) arrange for reversion back to the City of any

remaining amounts from the Total Class Settlement Amount and any remaining bank account

interest; (9) create a database of Class Members who submitted timely and valid Claim Forms;

(10) create a database of Opt Outs; (11) deduct any applicable liens from the Claim Awards and

forward these deductions to the New York City Comptroller or any other appropriate agencies as

set forth in this Stipulation; and (12) perform any other duties necessary to fulfill the foregoing

responsibilities and any other responsibilities set forth in this Stipulation.

50. The Parties agree to facilitate the work of the Administrator by, among other

things, obtaining and providing to the Administrator information and data which are relevant and

appropriate to facilitate the administration of this Stipulation, to the extent such information is

disclosable to the Administrator under federal, state and/or local laws.

51. Within 15 days of the Preliminary Approval Order, the Parties will provide

the Administrator with spreadsheets containing the names of Class Members and other relevant

information known to the Parties that is relevant to facilitate administration of this Stipulation. The

City’s obligation regarding the information listed in this paragraph only extends to the extent

eligible Class Member provided accurate and complete information to NYPD.

52. Information provided to the Administrator pursuant to paragraph 51 and as

part of the claims administration procedure described in this Stipulation shall be confidential and

may not be disclosed to anyone except Class Counsel, Defendants’ Counsel, certain City agencies

(including NYPD, Human Resources Administration (“HRA”), and the City Comptroller’s

Office), the Administrator, or if necessary, the Court under seal. Class Counsel and the

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Administrator shall not disclose confidential information to any person not a member of their staff

and only when necessary to facilitate the terms and conditions of this Stipulation.

53. To facilitate the release of personal identifying information of the Class

Members within the parties’ possession and not disclosable to the Administrator under federal,

state and/or local laws, the Parties will submit to the Court a proposed confidentiality order related

to the release of the information to the Claims Administrator, HRA, the City Comptroller’s Office,

and any other relevant City agencies. To the extent Class Counsel or the Administrator seeks to

disclose this information to any other person or entity, they must first seek Defendants’ Counsel’s

consent in writing. In addition, after consent is given, but before disclosing the confidential

information to anyone else, including, any agent, contractor, or expert, the Administrator or Class

Counsel shall first have such person or organization read and sign the confidentiality order. A

signed copy of the exhibit to the confidentiality order shall be provided to Defendants’ Counsel by

expedited transmission immediately but no later than two business days after execution. Class

Counsel and the Administrator shall take all reasonable steps to insure that the confidential

information concerning all proposed Class Members and eligible Class Members remain private

and confidential. In addition, the information provided regarding the Class Members will not be

used for any other purpose other than in this Civil Action and for the administration of this

Stipulation.

54. The Administrator will apply for a tax ID number, if necessary, and will

take all necessary steps for the timely creation of a bank account to administer this Settlement. The

Administrator shall provide to the City the tax ID number, a completed W-9 Form, and the routing

and account information for the bank account to deposit the Total Class Settlement Amount, within

twenty (20) days of the Final Approval Date.

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55. The Administrator will treat income taxes as the first priority for payment,

and therefore, shall, on a quarterly basis, set aside an amount sufficient to pay all income taxes, if

any, owed by the bank account on interest earned to date. The Administrator shall pay all income

taxes, if any, on a quarterly basis. The City Comptroller’s Office and Class Counsel shall have the

right to inspect and copy all tax forms (and worksheets), and monthly bank statements of the Total

Class Settlement Amount bank account. The City will not be responsible for taxes, penalties, or

interest incurred on the Total Class Settlement Amount. The Administrator shall issue all required

IRS forms.

56. Within thirty (30) days of the Preliminary Approval Date, the Administrator

shall mail a copy of the Claim Package by first class mail, postage prepaid, to all Class Members

for whom a valid address is available.

57. For any Claim Package that is returned with a forwarding address, the

Claims Administrator will re-mail the Claim Package to the forwarding address within two weeks

of receiving the returned envelope. In the event that a Claim Package is returned because the

address of the recipient is no longer valid, i.e., the envelope is marked “Return to Sender”, the

Claims Administrator shall perform a standard skip trace in an effort to attempt to ascertain the

current address of the particular Class Member in question and, if such an address is ascertained,

the Claims Administrator will re-send the Claim Package within two weeks of receiving the newly

ascertained address; if no updated address is obtained for that Class Member, the Claim Package

shall be sent again to the Class Member’s last known address. With respect to envelopes marked

“Return to Sender”, the Claims Administrator will also call any identified last-known telephone

numbers (and telephone numbers updated through public and proprietary databases) of Class

Members for the purpose of obtaining the Class Members’ current addresses.

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58. The Claims Administrator shall provide to Defendants’ Counsel and Class

Counsel, at least ten (10) days prior to the Final Fairness Hearing, a list of Class Members for

whom Claim Packages were returned as undeliverable and for whom efforts to obtain an alternative

address failed.

59. To be eligible for payment of a Claim Award, Claim Members must timely

submit a completed and signed Claim Form to the Administrator by the Bar Date, unless such date

is extended by order of the Court. The Administrator shall reject Claim Forms that are untimely.

A Claim Form is deemed submitted upon deposit in a prepaid properly addressed wrapper, in a

post office or official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the U.S. Post Office,

when submitted for delivery by a commercial express carrier, when submitted to the Administrator

through the Settlement website or by email, or when actually received by the Administrator,

whichever date is earlier.

60. Any eligible Class Member who fails to submit a Claim Form by the Bar

Date, or any court-mandated extension thereto, shall be forever barred from receiving payment

pursuant to this Stipulation. Such persons shall be bound by all of the terms of this Stipulation,

and the judgment entered herein, including but not limited to the release of all Released Claims as

defined herein at paragraph 30.

61. Claims Award will be reduced as a result of outstanding New York child

support liens. Award amounts may also be reduced as a result of unpaid City taxes including

personal income tax, real estate related taxes, unpaid parking tickets, unpaid Environmental

Control Board fines; or any medicaid costs correctly paid against bills from the New York City

Health and Hospitals Corporation. No benefits currently received by Claim Member may be

terminated as a result of payment of a Claim Award unless required by federal or state law

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regulations. This does not constitute a waiver of any right to separately recoup overpayments or

any amounts owed solely to federal or state governments if such is required by federal or state law

or regulation.

62. Every thirty (30) days after the Claim Packages are sent, the Administrator

shall provide the Parties with a list of Claims Forms received to date.

63. If the City identifies any Claims Form(s) that it believes should be rejected,

the City shall provide Class Counsel written notice thereof and the reasons therefore. The Parties

shall confer within fifteen (15) days after the City provides such notice to Class Counsel. If the

Parties cannot reach agreement on whether the disputed Claims Form(s) should be accepted or

rejected, the Parties may submit any such disputes to the Court for determination at the time the

motion for Final Approval is filed.

64. The City may, on a rolling basis, determine whether any Claims Awards

will need to be reduced as a result of New York child support liens. Within 70 (seventy) days of

receiving the final list of Claims Forms received, the City shall provide the Administrator with a

list of those Class Members who have New York child support liens and the amount that shall be

deducted from each such Class Members’ Claim Award by the Administrator to be forwarded to

the beneficiary of the child support lien by the City Comptroller’s Office. Prior to providing this

list, the City shall send each Class Member owing child support liens a notice describing that they

owe these liens and information on how to file a challenge regarding the deduction of the child

support liens from the Claim Award. If the City later determines that the amount of the lien was

incorrect, the City shall directly pay that person the over-deduction of the amount that was withheld

from that person’s Claim Award. The Administrator shall follow a similar procedure to the

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extent parking violation liens are assessed by the Department of Finance, or other applicable liens

are assessed by the New York City Comptroller’s Office or another agency.

65. The Administrator shall mail letters and/or otherwise contact Class

Members who by the Bar Date submit partially completed Claim Forms that are deficient to

provide such Class Members ten (10) additional business days to validate their Claim Forms. The

absence of a social security number shall not be a basis for withholding payment of a Claim Award

to an otherwise eligible Class Member if the Administrator can otherwise confirm the identity of

that individual through sufficient and appropriate identification documentation.

66. The Administrator shall begin to submit payment for all valid Claims

Awards within ten (10) days of receipt of the Total Class Settlement Amount from the City.

67. Rights and claims hereunder shall survive the death of Class Members. If a

Class Member who is eligible to receive monetary relief under this Stipulation is deceased, the

amount payable to such deceased eligible Class Member shall be paid to the appropriate

representative of his/her estate. The representative of the estate shall provide proof of death and

appropriate documentation to show that she/he is properly a representative of the estate. If the

Administrator determines, after reasonable opportunity has been given, that there is insufficient

information or proof regarding the deceased person’s estate to permit such payment, the deceased

person’s Claim Award shall be distributed in accordance with the terms set forth in paragraphs 40

and 64.

68. To the extent that the Administrator and/or Class Counsel receive inquires

that they cannot resolve, the Administrator and/or Class Counsel shall group such inquires and

submit them in writing to a designated person at the Office of Corporation Counsel on a recurring

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 19 of 37

basis, but not more often than a weekly basis. Results of the investigations of such inquires will be

provided in writing.

69. The Administrator has the discretion to void checks mailed to eligible Class

Members that are not cashed within 90 days of issuance. Notice of this procedure will be provided

at the time the checks are issued. Class Counsel, on written notice to the City and the Court, shall

have the discretion to: (a) reissue the checks, or (b) issue checks to persons who make late claims

for good cause shown. If permission is granted to make late claims for good cause shown, any

amount due and owing attributable to New York child support liens or other liens shall be deducted

and forwarded to the City prior to any payment to an eligible Class Member who submitted a late

claim.

70. The Claims Administrator will submit monthly statements to Class Counsel

and the City identifying the administrative costs incurred. A copy of the Claims Administrator’s

final accounting shall also be provided to the City and the Court in connection with the motion for

final approval.

EXCLUSION FROM THE SETTLEMENT

71. Any Class Member who wishes to be excluded from the Settlement must by

the Bar Date:

i. submit to the Claims Administrator a written request to opt out of the

settlement as described in the Class Notice, or

ii. have a separate lawsuit pending before the Preliminary Approval Date

and not file a Claim Form.

72. Any Class Member who has a separate lawsuit pending before the

Preliminary Approval Date and who files a Claim Form will be bound by this Stipulation and the

releases described below in paragraph 76.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 20 of 37

73. Originals of all opt out requests shall be retained by the Administrator until

such originals are filed with the Court.

74. Named Plaintiffs will not request exclusion from this Settlement. A list of

all opt outs, as well as copies of the opt out requests sent to the Administrator, shall be provided

to Class Counsel and Defendants’ Counsel.

75. Any Class Member who is not excluded from the Settlement pursuant to

paragraph 76 shall conclusively be deemed to be bound by this Stipulation and by all subsequent

proceedings, orders, and judgments herein.

RELEASES

76. Upon the Effective Date for Payment, in consideration for the agreements

between the Parties and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which

is hereby acknowledged, all Class Representatives and Class Members, on behalf of themselves,

their heirs, executors, administrators, predecessors, successors and assigns shall hereby release,

remise and forever discharge any and all of the defendants as well as their past or present affiliates,

subsidiaries, parents, successors and predecessors, officers, directors, agents, employees,

attorneys, advisors, insurers and any person, firm, trust, corporation, officer, director or other

individual or entity in which any defendant has a controlling interest or which is related to or

affiliated with any Defendant, and the legal representatives, heirs, successors in interest or assigns

of the Defendants, from each and every Released Claim, and shall forever be barred and enjoined

from initiating, continuing, filing or otherwise prosecuting any Released Claim against any of the

Released Parties. Unless a Class Member opts out of the Settlement pursuant to paragraphs 71

through 75 this release shall apply whether or not such Class Member has executed and delivered

a Claim Form or otherwise actively participated in the Settlement.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 21 of 37

77. Every Class Member, except for those who opt out of the Settlement

pursuant to paragraph 71 through 75 shall be deemed to and shall have knowingly and voluntarily

waived, released, discharged and dismissed the Released Claims, with full knowledge of any and

all rights they may have, and they hereby assume the risk of any mistake in fact in connection with

the true facts involved, or with regard to any facts which are now unknown to them. No Class

Member who is excluded or opt out shall share in any monetary benefits provided by this

Stipulation.

78. The Parties and Class Members acknowledge that the covenants and

promises made by the City and Defendants herein constitute adequate consideration in exchange

for the Released Claims.

79. Nothing in this Stipulation shall be construed to bar any claims of Class

Representatives or Class Members based on or arising out of events occurring after the date of the

Final Approval Order.

80. The Parties hereby agree not to appeal any aspect of this Stipulation, or to

otherwise collaterally attack or challenge this Stipulation, except any award of attorneys’ fees.

ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS

81. The City will pay Class Counsel reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. The

parties will continue to negotiate the amount for that payment, and Class Counsel will make an

application seeking Court approval for the final amount as agreed to by the City or on Class

Counsel’s motion. Defendants reserve the right to respond to any motion by Class Counsel for

attorney’s fees, and all parties reserve the right to appeal any court decision awarding such fees

and costs.

82. Within 45 days after a Court order concerning attorneys’ fees and costs, or

any appeal thereof, the City will pay Class Counsel the amount awarded as attorneys’ fees. Class

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 22 of 37

Counsel shall execute and deliver to Defendants’ Counsel all documents necessary to effect such

payments to them, including, without limitation, General Releases and W-9s.

DISMISSAL OF CLAIMS AGAINST INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANTS

83. Pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,

any and all of the claims and rights of action arising out of the facts and circumstances that are the

subject of this action, and that were asserted or could have been asserted by or on behalf of

Plaintiffs against Defendants former Mayor Bill De Blasio, Terence A. Monahan, Kenneth Lehr,

Robert Gallitelli, Harry Wedin, John D’Adamo, Gerard Dowling, Julio Delgado, Kenneth Rice,

Thomas Garguilo, John Migliaccio, and Thomas Mosher; their successors and assigns, and any

present or former employees and agents of the City of New York, or any entity represented by the

Office of the Corporation Counsel, are hereby dismissed and discontinued, with prejudice, and

without additional attorney’s fees, costs or disbursements to any party in excess of the amount

authorized by the Court or agreed upon by the Parties as stated in this Stipulation.

MUTUAL FULL COOPERATION

84. The Parties agree that they will fully cooperate with each other to effectuate

and implement all terms and conditions of this Stipulation and exercise good faith efforts to

accomplish the terms and conditions of this Stipulation.

EFFECT OF THE STIPULATION ON THE PENDING CIVIL ACTION AND


CONTINUING JURISDICTION

85. The Court, and any appellate court from which appeals of the Court’s

decisions may properly be brought, shall retain jurisdiction for the implementation and

enforcement of the terms of this Stipulation, and the Parties hereto and their counsel shall submit

to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court for purposes of implementing and enforcing the

settlement embodied in this Stipulation.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 23 of 37

86. Plaintiffs will take all necessary and appropriate steps to obtain approval of

this Stipulation and dismissal of this Civil Action with prejudice. If the Court approves this

Stipulation, and if there is an appeal from such decision, Defendants will join Plaintiffs in defense

of the Stipulation.

87. On the Final Approval Date, or a later date as determined by the Court, the

Court will dismiss the above-captioned action, with prejudice and without costs, expenses, or fees

in excess of the amount authorized by the Court or agreed upon by the Parties.

88. The terms of this Stipulation shall be a full, final, and complete resolution

of this Civil Action.

MODIFICATION OF THE STIPULATION AND ORDER

89. This Stipulation represents the entire agreement among the Parties, and no

oral agreement entered into at any time nor any written agreement entered into prior to the

execution of this Stipulation shall be deemed to exist, or to bind the Parties hereto, or to vary the

terms and conditions contained herein, or to determine the meaning of any provisions herein. This

Stipulation can be modified only on the written consent of all counsel for the Parties.

COUNTERPARTS

90. This Stipulation may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of

which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument,

and will be binding when it has been executed and delivered by the last signatory. A facsimile or

scanned signature is an original signature for purposes of this Stipulation.

GOVERNING LAW

91. This Stipulation shall be governed by and construed and interpreted

according to the laws of the State of New York without reference to conflicts of law principles.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 24 of 37

MUTUAL INTERPRETATION

92. The Parties stipulate that this Stipulation was negotiated at arm’s length

between parties of equal bargaining power, to resolve a bona fide dispute between the Parties

concerning liability and the availability of equitable relief and damages. Also, Class Counsel and

Defendants’ Counsel jointly drafted this Stipulation. Accordingly, this Stipulation shall not be

construed in favor of or against any of the Parties. Neither Party shall be considered the drafter of

this Stipulation for purposes of interpreting the Stipulation, or the application of any rule of

construction.

93. Any dispute regarding interpretation of this Stipulation, including but not

limited to any Class Member’s eligibility for a Claims Award, may be submitted to the Court for

determination, consistent with the parties’ agreement on issues to present to the Court.

BINDING UPON SUCCESSORS

94. This Stipulation shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties

and their respective personal representatives, administrators, heirs, successors, and assigns.

NULLIFICATION

95. This Stipulation is null and void in the event that any of the following do

not occur:

i. Preliminary Approval of this Stipulation by the Court; or

ii. Final Approval by the Court.

24
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 25 of 37

Dated: February 28, 2023


New York, New York

Altorneysf l•
[ 2z__
By:-��----­
Joshua S. Moskovitz, Esq.
By: Aft;CM rQ
Douglas E. Lieb, Esq.
HAMILTON CLARKE, LLP Alison Frick, Esq.
48 Wall Street, Suite 1100 KAUFMAN LIEB LEBOWITZ & FRICK LLP
New York, New York 10005 18 E. 48th Street, Suite 802
(212) 729-0952 New York, New York 10017
JM@HamiltonClarkeLLP.com (212) 660-2332
dlieb@kllflaw.com
africk@kllflaw.com

By:�L¥-rt By:
ffbL
Michael L. Spiegel, Esq. Rob Rickner, Esq.
48 Wall Street, Suite 1100 RICKNER PLLC
New York, New York 10005 14 Wall Street, Suite 1603
(212) 587-8558 New York, New York 10005
mikespieg@aol.com (212) 300-6506

Attorneys for Defendants


HON. SYLVIA HINDS-RADIX
Corporation Counsel ofthe City ofNew
York 100 Church Street
New York N w York 10007

By:
Genevi
Omar Si 1q1
Jenny Weng

Fairness hearing set for October 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. [or ___________j.

SO ORDERED

HON. COLLEEN MCMAHON

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 26 of 37

EXHIBIT A
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 27 of 37
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

SAMIRA SIERRA, AMALI SIERRA,


RICARDO NIGAGLIONI, ALEX Class Action
GUTIERREZ, and CHARLES WOOD,
Civil Action No. 20 Civ. 10291 (CM)(GWG)
v.
Civil Action No. 20 Civ. 10541 (CM)(GWG)
CITY OF NEW YORK, et al.,

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AND SETTLEMENT HEARING IN CLASS ACTION

TO: ALL PERSONS WHO WERE DETAINED, ARRESTED, AND/OR SUBJECTED TO FORCE BY
POLICE OFFICERS ON JUNE 4, 2020, ON EAST 136TH STREET BETWEEN BROOK
AVENUE AND BROWN PLACE IN THE BRONX DURING THE “GEORGE FLOYD
PROTEST” IN MOTT HAVEN, AND ALL PERSONS WHO ALSO WERE GIVEN A SUMMONS
OR DESK APPEARANCE TICKET FOLLOWING THEIR ARREST AT THAT LOCATION
(“THE SETTLEMENT CLASS”)

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY


YOUR RIGHTS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND
YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO MONEY FROM THIS SETTLEMENT

TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SETTLEMENT, A CLAIM FORM MUST BE FILED BY [BAR DATE]


YOU CAN FILE A CLAIM FORM BY MAIL OR AT WWW.________.COM (as explained below)

Summary of this Notice

This Notice is being sent to you, by order of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“the
Court”). It describes a proposed settlement (“the Settlement”) of a class action against the City of New York (“the City”)
and your right to receive money from this Settlement.

The case is known as Sierra, et al. v. City of New York, et al. (the “Civil Action” or “lawsuit” or “case”). The Court in
charge of the case is the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the judge overseeing the
case is United States District Judge, the Honorable Colleen McMahon.

This Notice is being sent to all persons who were detained, arrested, and/or subjected to force by police officers on
June 4, 2020, on East 136th Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George
Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, and all persons who also were given a summons or Desk Appearance Ticket
following their arrest at that location (the “Proposed Settlement Class Member(s)” or “Settlement Class Member(s)”).

The Settlement provides for payment of $21,500 to each Settlement Class Member; an additional payment
of $2,500 to each Settlement Class Member who was given a Desk Appearance Ticket (“DAT”) as a result
of their arrest on June 4, 2020; a service award payment of $21,500 to each Plaintiff/Class Representative
who brought this lawsuit; and payment of reasonable legal fees and costs to Plaintiffs’ attorneys.

The Court has preliminarily approved the Settlement and wishes to inform you of the general terms of the Settlement and
what actions you need to take to participate in the benefits provided by the Settlement.

The Court will hold a hearing to consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate, and to decide whether to
give final approval to this Settlement. The hearing will be held on _________ at _________, at the United States District
Court, 500 Pearl Street, Courtroom _____, New York, New York 10007. If the Court approves the Settlement, the Court’s
judgment will be final and binding, and payments will be made after the completion of all claims processing.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 28 of 37
You may attend this hearing if you wish, but you are not required to appear at the hearing. If you are a Settlement Class
Member, you will be represented by Class Counsel at no cost to you.

If you wish to accept the Proposed Settlement, opt out from the Settlement, or object to it, this Notice will describe
the procedures to do so.

INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS NOTICE

I. PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE .......................................................................................................................................


II. LITIGATION BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................................
III. CLASS DEFINITION ....................................................................................................................................................
IV. THE SETTLEMENT TERMS .......................................................................................................................................
V. RELEASE OF CLAIMS ................................................................................................................................................
VI. THE SETTLEMENT PROCESS, FINAL FAIRNESS HEARING, AND YOUR RIGHTS ........................................
VII. THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING THE CLASS .......................................................................................................
VIII. CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR .......................................................................................................................................
IX. GETTING MORE INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................

I. PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE

This Notice explains the Civil Action, the Settlement, the certification by the Court of the Settlement Class, your legal
rights, what benefits are available, who is eligible for them, and how to get them.
The interests of the Settlement Class have been represented in the Civil Action by Hamilton Clarke, LLP, Rickner PLLC,
Kaufman Lieb Lebowitz & Frick, LLP, and Michael Spiegel (collectively “Class Counsel”). Class Counsel represents the
interests of all Proposed Settlement Class Members.
If you want to be represented by your own lawyer (other than Class Counsel), you may hire one at your own expense.

II. LITIGATION BACKGROUND

On December 7, 2020, four of the Class Representatives filed Sierra, et al. v. City of New York, et al., Civil Action No. 20
Civ. 10291 (CM)(GWG), on behalf of themselves and a class of individuals who were arrested on June 4, 2020 on East
136th Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the protest in Mott Haven following the killing
of George Floyd. On December 14, 2020, the fifth Class Representative filed a related lawsuit, Wood et al. v. City of New
York et al., Civil Action No. 20 Civ. 10541 (CM)(GWG). On March 26, 2021, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss and
on July 9, 2021, the Court denied in part, and granted in part, that motion. On September 15, 2022, the Court granted a
motion filed by the Class Representatives in both cases to consolidate their two lawsuits. Discovery has been ongoing.
In order to secure certain, prompt and extensive relief for the Proposed Settlement Class and to avoid the risk of future
litigation, trial and appeals, the Parties engaged in settlement negotiations. In December 2022, the Parties reached an
agreement providing for the settlement of the class action. In February 2023, the parties executed a Stipulation of Settlement
and Order (the “Agreement” or “Settlement Agreement”). The Parties agree that the Agreement is fair, reasonable and
adequate and that it serves the best interest of the Proposed Settlement Class based on all the facts and circumstances.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 29 of 37

III. CLASS DEFINITION

You are a member of the Settlement Class if you fit within this definition:
Individuals who were detained, arrested, and/or subjected to force by police officers on June 4, 2020,
on East 136th Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George Floyd
protest” in Mott Haven, and all persons who also were given a summons or Desk Appearance Ticket
following their arrest at that location.
You are excluded if, between June 4, 2020 and [Preliminary Approval Date], you entered into an individual release as part
of a settlement agreement with the City concerning the same or similar claims as this case. You are also excluded if you
previously sued the City of New York and/or individual New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officers for damages
arising from your arrest at the June 4, 2020 protest in Mott Haven and your claims was settled, dismissed by the Court or
otherwise disposed.
You have received this Notice because the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) records reflect that you were
detained and arrested on June 4, 2020, on East 136th Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during
the “George Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, and therefore, you may be a Settlement Class Member.

IV. THE SETTLEMENT TERMS

Under the terms of the Settlement, the City has agreed to make payments of $21,500 to each Settlement Class Member; an
additional $2,500 to each Settlement Class Member who was given a Desk Appearance Ticket (“DAT”) as a result of their
arrest on June 4, 2020; a service award payment of $21,500 to each Plaintiff/Class Representative for their participation in
the litigation; and reasonable legal fees and costs to Plaintiffs’ attorneys.
All parties agree that the Settlement—under all the facts and circumstances—constitutes fair, adequate, and reasonable
consideration for the settlement of all claims that were raised or could have been raised by the Class Representatives or any
member of the Proposed Settlement Class in the Civil Action, whether individually or as a class.
PAYMENT UNDER THIS SETTLEMENT IS NOT AUTOMATIC. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A
SETTLEMENT PAYMENT, YOU MUST SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM.
EACH SETTLEMENT CLASS MEMBER WHO SEEKS TO RECEIVE A SETTLEMENT PAYMENT
MUST COMPLETE A CLAIM FORM, WHICH IS INCLUDED WITH THIS NOTICE. THE CLAIM
FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED BY [BAR DATE].
YOU CAN FILE A CLAIM ONLINE AT WWW.________.COM OR BY MAIL TO:
Rust Consulting, Inc.
[ADDRESS]
A. How Will My Settlement Award Be Calculated?
Settlement Class Members will receive payments as described above. Any amount(s) owed for Child Support, Medicaid
liens, and other liens by the City of New York will be deducted from your settlement payment.
B. Will the Individuals Who Litigated This Case Receive Payment?
Plaintiffs/Class Representatives will each receive service award payments of $21,500 to compensate them for the time and
effort they devoted to representing the Class in this case.
C. Who Will Pay the Attorneys’ Fees and Costs and How Will They Be Calculated?
As described below, the City will pay the reasonable legal fees and costs incurred by Plaintiffs’ attorneys in this litigation.
The final amount will be determined by the Court after negotiations between the City and Plaintiffs’ attorneys.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 30 of 37

V. RELEASE OF CLAIMS

If the Court grants final approval of the Settlement, then all Settlement Class Members who do not opt out will fully, finally,
and forever release all claims covered by the Settlement Agreement against Defendants and any of their respective affiliates,
subsidiaries, parents, successors and predecessors, officers, directors, agents, employees, attorneys, advisors and insure,
present or former employees and agents of the City of New York, from any and all liability, claims, and rights of action
alleging a violation of my civil rights and any and all related state law claims arising out of the protest on June 4, 2020 as
described above. When claims are “released” it means that a person granting the release cannot sue the City for the same
claims that are covered by the lawsuit as set forth below and in the Settlement Agreement.
What this means for you is that you will not be able to bring any other lawsuit for anything related to your arrest in Mott
Haven on June 4, 2020, unless you opt out of the settlement as described below. More specifically, you will be releasing
any and all claims for physical injury, emotional distress, loss of liberty, or excessive detention, and/or any other damages
including, but not limited to, damages arising from claims of false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, delayed
or excessive detention, illegal search under New York State Law, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and any other applicable federal, state
(including state law false arrest and false imprisonment, assault and battery, denial of medical attention, intentional or
negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, screening, retention, training, supervision, and discipline, and
excessive detention), or local statutes, common law, or regulation that were or could have been asserted by the Class
Representatives and/or any Class Member against the Released Parties based upon or arising out of the same transactions,
series of connected transactions, occurrences or nucleus of operative facts that form the basis of the claims that were or
could have been asserted in this Civil Action. This is true whether or not you are aware of those claims now. This Release
does not include or cover any actions or omissions occurring after [Preliminary Approval Date].
If you are a plaintiff in another, separate, lawsuit concerning your arrest in Mott Haven on June 4, 2020, and you have not
resolved that lawsuit by [Preliminary Approval Date] (through a settlement, verdict, or dismissal), you may choose to accept
the Settlement in this case by filing a Claim Form, which will release your claims in your separate case, or you may continue
to pursue your claims separately in your own lawsuit and doing nothing. If you decide to pursue your claims in a separate
lawsuit filed after [Preliminary Approval Date], you will need to opt out of this settlement as described below. You should
consult your attorney in your separate lawsuit.
This Release does not affect your rights, if any, to pursue other lawsuits, whether currently pending or which may be filed
in the future, concerning incidents other than your arrest in Mott Haven on June 4, 2020. It also does not affect your rights
to any claims that might arise after [Preliminary Approval Date].
The terms of the Release are set forth in Paragraph 76 of the Settlement Agreement. You may obtain a copy of the Settlement
Agreement at www._________.com, by contacting Class Counsel as listed below, or you can view a copy of the Settlement
Agreement at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street,
New York, New York 10007.

VI. THE SETTLEMENT PROCESS, FINAL FAIRNESS HEARING, AND YOUR RIGHTS

In order to decide whether to approve the proposed Settlement, the Court will consider related papers and comments
submitted by the Parties or others. The Court will also hold a hearing in open court. This Final Fairness Hearing will be
held at the Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, Courtroom ___, New York, New York 10007 on ______
at ______.
You do not need to appear at the hearing. However, you may attend and you may also enter an appearance in the case
through your own attorney at your own cost, if you so desire. This appearance must be filed with the Clerk’s Office and
served on the Rust Consulting (Claims Administrator) and Class Counsel no later than forty-five (45) days after this Notice
is postmarked.
If you submit a Claim Form, the Claims Administrator shall be entitled to deny the claim if it is determined that you were
not detained, arrested, and/or subjected to force by police officers on June 4, 2020, on East 136th Street between Brook
Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, and/or were not given a summons
or Desk Appearance Ticket following your arrest at that location, or you are otherwise ineligible for the reasons stated in
Section III.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 31 of 37
You also may decide to “opt out” or ask to be excluded from the Settlement. If you exclude yourself from the Settlement,
you will not be legally bound by the Court’s judgments in this Civil Action but you also will not receive any money from
this Class Action lawsuit—even if the proposed Settlement is approved.
To ask to be excluded or “opt out” of this settlement, you must submit a request that includes the following information:
(1) your name, address, and telephone number, and it must be personally signed by you; and
(2) the following language: “I understand that I am requesting to be excluded from the Settlement and that I will
receive no money under the Settlement Agreement entered into by the parties. I understand that if I am excluded
from the Settlement, I may pursue a separate legal action seeking damages, but may receive nothing or less than
what I would have received if I had filed a claim under the Settlement in this case.”
Your request for exclusion must be submitted by _______. It can be submitted online at www.______.com or mailed and
postmarked by the same date to the Claims Administrator at:
Rust Consulting, Inc.
[ADDRESS]
If you do not provide written notice of your intention to opt out of the class, and also do not return a Claim Form, you will
not receive payment pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, and you will not be able to start a lawsuit after [Preliminary
Approval Date] involving your detention, arrest, or force used against you by police officers on June 4, 2020, on East 136th
Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, nor
concerning any summons or Desk Appearance Ticket you received following your arrest at that location.
You may also submit any objections to this proposed settlement in writing. For any such written objections to be considered,
you must follow the steps detailed below:
(1) You must file your written objection with the Clerk of the Court, United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, New York, New York 10007. Please do not send any comments directly
to or attempt to contact Judge McMahon in person.
(2) Your objection must be postmarked by [Bar Date].
(3) Copies of all such papers must be mailed and postmarked by the same date to the Claims Administrator at:
Rust Consulting, Inc.
[ADDRESS]

Any objection must detail the specific reason for the objection.

VII. THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING THE CLASS

As a Settlement Class Member, you are represented in this litigation by the following Class Counsel:

Joshua S. Moskovitz Rob Rickner Alison Frick Michael L. Spiegel, Esq.


Lance Clarke RICKNER PLLC Douglas E. Lieb 48 Wall Street, Suite 1100
H AMILTON C LARKE, LLP 14 Wall Street, Suite 1603 K AUFMAN LIEB LEBOWITZ New York, NY 10005
48 Wall Street, Suite 1100 New York, NY 10005 & FRICK LLP (212) 587-8558
New York, NY 10005 www.ricknerpllc.com 18 E. 48th Street, Suite 802 mikespieg@aol.com
www.hamiltonclarkellp.com New York, NY 10017
www.kllflaw.com
Unless you elect to exclude yourself from the Settlement, you will continue to be represented by Class Counsel in connection
with administration of the Settlement throughout the remainder of the Settlement at no cost to you.
Plaintiffs intend to seek $2,550,000 for the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred up to [Preliminary Approval Date],
plus all subsequent reasonable fees and costs incurred through the Court’s final approval of the settlement.

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Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 32 of 37
If you are a Settlement Class Member and receive a settlement payment, you will not owe any fees or expenses to the
lawyers who have represented you as a part of the Settlement Class. Whatever the Court awards to Class Counsel
in fees and expenses will be paid only if and after the Settlement has been finally approved by the Court.
As is routine in class actions, Class Counsel will file a motion seeking court approval for an award of attorneys’ fees and
expenses already incurred, as well as fees and costs for work associated with the finalization of the Settlement Agreement
and overseeing the administration process. Class Counsel has litigated this case which involved extensive discovery
including, production of hundreds of thousands of documents, hundreds of hours of audio visual materials, depositions and
motion practice. Class Counsel has litigated this case on behalf of the Settlement Class without receiving any compensation
for their services or reimbursement of their out-of-pocket litigation expenses and has undertaken significant risks in pursuing
this matter.

VIII. CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR

The Claims Administrator for this Settlement is Rust Consulting, Inc. For answers to most common questions about this
Notice and the Settlement, to obtain copies of the Claim Form, and to file a Claim Form or Opt Out statement, visit
www._______.com. You can also contact Rust Consulting at _________ or by writing to:
Rust Consulting, Inc.
[ADDRESS]

Rust Consulting is not a law office and cannot provide legal advice. The role of the Claims Administrator is to provide the
claim forms, provide information about the Settlement, process Claims Forms, and process settlement payments.

IX. GETTING MORE INFORMATION

If you have further questions or are still not sure whether you are included, you can get free help by contacting the Claims
Administrator or Class Counsel listed above.
This Notice contains only an overview of the Settlement and related matters. For a more detailed statement of the proposed
Settlement of this Class Action, you may examine the pleadings, the Settlement Agreement, and all other papers and
documents filed with the Court in this Class Action, which may be inspected during normal business hours at the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, New York, New York 10007.
SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE, THIS CLASS ACTION, THE
PROPOSED SETTLEMENT, OR THE FINAL FAIRNESS HEARING, YOU SHOULD DIRECT THEM TO
CLASS COUNSEL SET FORTH ABOVE, OR THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR. PLEASE DO NOT
CONTACT THE CLERK OF THE COURT OR THE JUDGE OR THE DEFENDANTS.

Dated: , 2023 BY ORDER OF THE COURT

6
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 33 of 37

EXHIBIT B
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 34 of 37
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

If you were detained, arrested, and/or subjected to force by police officers on June 4, 2020, on
East 136th Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George
Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, and/or received a summons or Desk Appearance Ticket
following your arrest at that location, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION.
You must file a claim by [Bar Date] to be included in this Class Action settlement.
Visit www.[WEBSITE].com for more information.
1. What is this lawsuit about? Am I included?
• This lawsuit is about police action that took place on June 4, 2020 on East 136th Street between Brook Avenue and
Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George Floyd protest” in Mott Haven.
• If you were detained, arrested, and/or subjected to force by police officers on June 4, 2020 on East 136th Street
between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx during the “George Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, and/or
received a summons or Desk Appearance Ticket following your arrest at that location, you may be entitled to money
as a Settlement Class Member.

2. What does the Settlement provide?


• The City of New York has agreed to pay $21,500 to each Settlement Class Member.
• The City has agreed to pay an additional $2,500 to each Settlement Class Member who was given a Desk
Appearance Ticket (“DAT”) as a result of their arrest on the date and location described above.
• By filing a Claim Form and accepting payment of the Settlement, you give up your right to bring any claim arising
from your detention, arrest, the use of force, receipt of a summons or DAT, or any other claim based on the events
on June 4, 2020 on East 136th Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx.

3. How do I get money from the Settlement?


• To be eligible for any payment, you must submit a Claim Form online or by mail by [Bar Date].
• To get a Claim Form, visit www.[WEBSITE].com or contact the Claims Administrator, Rust Consulting, at the
phone number or address below.
4. What are my rights and options in this Settlement?

By submitting a Claim Form, you give up your legal right A Claim Form must be mailed
Submit a Claim
to pursue further claims from the events described above. and postmarked or filed online
Form
This is the only way to be paid from this Settlement. by: [Bar Date]
Get no payment from the Settlement. This option allows An opt-out statement must be mailed
Opt Out of the
you to be part of a separate lawsuit against the and postmarked or filed online by:
Settlement
Defendants about the claims in this case. [Bar Date]
Remain a Class Member but write to the Court An objection must be filed by [Bar
Object to the
about why you don’t agree with the Settlement. Date] with the U.S. District Court,
Settlement
You must still submit a Claim Form by [Bar Date]. 500 Pearl Street, NY, NY 10007
You or your own lawyer may appear and speak Attend the hearing on _______ at:
Go to the Fairness
at the hearing at your own expense. U.S. District Court, 500 Pearl Street,
Hearing
You must still submit a Claim Form by [Bar Date]. Courtroom 24A, New York, NY
Get no payment and give up all rights to sue the City or
Do Nothing other Defendants after [Preliminary Approval Date] N/A
concerning the events described above.

This is only a summary of the proposed Settlement.


For more information about the settlement, and to submit a Claim Form, visit www.[WEBSITE].com.
You can also contact Rust Consulting at ____________, or write to ____________.
Claims will be processed by the Claims Administrator, Rust Consulting. Do not contact the Court or Defendants.
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 35 of 37

EXHIBIT C
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 36 of 37

CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR
RETURN ADDRESS

IMPORTANT LEGAL MATERIALS

CLASS MEMBER
ADDRESS

CLAIM FORM

Samira Sierra, Amali Sierra, Ricardo Nigaglioni, Alex Gutierrez, and Charles Henry Wood
v. City of New York, Civil Action Nos. 20 Civ. 10291 (CM)(GWG), 20 Civ. 10541 (CM)(GWG)

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MONEY AS PART OF THIS CLASS SETTLEMENT


YOU MUST SUBMIT THIS CLAIM FORM BY [BAR DATE]. YOU MUST FULLY
COMPLETE AND SIGN THIS FORM

YOU CAN SUBMIT THIS FORM BY MAIL AND IT MUST BE POSTMARKED BY [BAR
DATE]. YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT THIS FORM ONLINE AT WWW.[WEBSITE].COM,
AND IT MUST BE SUBMITTED BY [BAR DATE]

1. Full Name:
First Name Middle Name Last Name

2. Street Address:
Apt. No.

City: State: Zip Code:

3. Telephone Number: ( ) -

4. E-Mail Address:

5. Date of Birth: / /
Month Day Year

6. Social Security Number or I-TIN (if any):

SSN: - - I-TIN: -

Check here if you do not have a Social Security Number or I-TIN.1

7. Medicare Number (if any):

Check here if you do not have a Medicare Number.

1
A Social Security Number or I-TIN is not required to submit your Claim, but sufficient
proof of your identity will be required before your Claim is paid.
Case 1:20-cv-08924-CM Document 881-1 Filed 02/28/23 Page 37 of 37

Verification & Release:

• I was detained, arrested, and/or subject to force by police officers on June 4, 2020, on East
136th Street between Brook Avenue and Brown Place in the Bronx, New York, at the “George
Floyd protest” in Mott Haven, and/or I received a summons or DAT following my arrest at
that location.

• By signing this form, I agree that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
has the authority to rule on my claim for payment as part of the Settlement Class, and that the
Court shall maintain jurisdiction of this matter for the purposes of enforcing the settlement and
Release, and that the Court has the power to enforce the Release described below as described
below.

• I also understand that the Court may allow the City of New York to access additional
information related to my arrest and/or detention referenced above, including, but not limited
to, New York City Police Department records.

• In consideration for the payment described in the Stipulation of Settlement and Order, and the
Notice accompanying this form, I release and discharge all defendants and any of their
respective affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, successors and predecessors, officers, directors,
agents, employees, attorneys, advisors and insure, present or former employees and agents of
the City of New York, from any and all liability, claims, and rights of action alleging a violation
of my civil rights and any and all related state law claims arising out of the protest on June 4,
2020 as referenced above. This includes, but is not limited to, claims for constitutional
violations (under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments) and state law claims (false
arrest, assault and battery, denial of medical care, infliction of emotional distress, negligent
hiring, training, and supervision, and disciplining subordinates, and excessive detention).

• By signing this form, I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States
that the information on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, belief and
recollection.

Date:

Signature

Printed Name

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