Stone Equities, LLC has filed a lawsuit against the Town of Brookhaven and several of its employees, alleging misconduct that caused financial and reputational harm. The defendants named in the complaint are the Town of Brookhaven and individuals Theresa Trejo, Amanda Paccione, and Brian Smith.
The case involves allegations that the Town of Brookhaven took unconstitutional actions against Stone Equities' properties in Suffolk County. According to the complaint, on September 23, 2022, town employees Trejo, Paccione, and Smith, along with members of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), condemned two commercial properties owned by Stone Equities. These properties were leased to businesses operated by individuals of Asian descent. The plaintiff claims these actions were part of a discriminatory effort to shut down lawful spa businesses under false pretenses.
Stone Equities alleges that these actions violated their Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights, as well as sections 1983 and 1985 of the Civil Rights Act. They contend there was no legitimate cause for condemnation or eviction and accuse the defendants of investigating to justify their actions. The complaint also references prior incidents involving the Town of Brookhaven, where property seizures allegedly occurred under questionable circumstances.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for economic losses tied to rental income and business relationships. They also seek punitive damages of no less than ten million dollars ($10,000,000), as well as attorney fees and related costs.
Stone Equities is represented by attorney Aaron C. DePass of the Law Office of Aaron C. DePass. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under case ID 1:25-cv-05237.