A Queens resident is suing the City of New York and several police officers, alleging civil rights violations. Dubi Zigelstein filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Nov. 14, naming the City of New York and officers identified as John Ray and John Doe 1-3.
The lawsuit stems from a Feb. 1, 2024, traffic incident near the Queensborough Bridge, when Zigelstein's work vehicle was reportedly sideswiped by an MTA bus, leaving his vehicle stranded in an undesignated lane.
According to the lawsuit, as Zigelstein tried to gather insurance information from the bus driver, Officer John Ray allegedly approached him aggressively.
"Defendant RAY came to [the] plaintiff and began to yell and scream obscenities towards him," the complaint states. Despite Zigelstein's attempts to explain the situation, Ray and other unnamed officers allegedly ignored him and escalated their behavior.
The plaintiff claims that the officers refused to provide assistance and then physically assaulted him with flashlights. Zigelstein suffered injuries and continues to receive medical treatment.
The lawsuit includes multiple claims against the officers, including: assault, battery, harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of human rights laws, negligence in hiring practices, and unlawful seizure.
Zigelstein seeks $250,000 in compensatory damages per cause of action, along with punitive damages and attorney fees. He argues that the officers’ actions were extreme and outrageous, causing severe emotional distress and violating his rights under state and federal law.
Representing the plaintiff is attorney Vik Pawar from Pawar Law Group P.C. Case I.D. 1:24-cv-07923.