Officers Executed “No-Knock” Warrant upon Entering Residence

Attorney Lauren P. Raysor is calling on the City of New York to stop delaying the legal process for a Queens family who she says were harassed, intimidated and falsely arrested and imprisoned by officers from the New York Police Department. She says that, two years after she filed a notice of claim on behalf of the family, her clients are being denied the justice they deserve.

On March 5, 2021, at approximately 6 a.m., a family at 109-28 143^rd Street in Jamaica  — Andre Brown, Tijuana Brown, her infant daughter L.B., Alexis Brown, Deidre Carrington, and David Atkins — were awoken by a loud, banging sound. Ms. Carrington, who was living in a basement apartment inside the house with Mr. Brown, went upstairs to investigate. The respondent officers came downstairs and broke down a door to gain entry into the apartment and drew their weapons at Mr. Brown and Ms. Carrington.

Tijuana Brown, the home’s owner, was upstairs with her daughter, Alexis Brown and her granddaughter, Madison Brown. After hearing the noise downstairs, Alexis went to investigate. She saw the officers coming back upstairs with their guns drawn.

The officers forced the family members out of their bedrooms and into the downstairs dining room as they continued to ransack the premises. Mr. Atkins was handcuffed after being asked his age. They later forced Mr. Brown and Ms. Carrington to get dressed while claimants were detained for approximately one hour. The officers continued to search the apartment, causing significant damage. The officers announced it was a bust and thereafter apologized.

At no time did the officers produce a search warrant when asked. In addition, the officers were in plain clothes and their badges were covered with dark cloth, making it difficult for them to be identified as police officers. Further, none of the officers were wearing face coverings, which meant they could have knowingly or unknowingly transmitted COVID-19 to the home’s residents. Damage from the unlawful search included destruction of the front door and two doors in the basement, holes in the walls of the basement and destruction of the vent in the downstairs bathroom.

For 25 minutes, Mr. Brown remained handcuffed inside the van. A short while later, Ms. Carrington was released. Mr. Brown was taken to the precinct, where he was ticketed for possession of marijuana. He spent 90 minutes in a jail cell after being fingerprinted and photographed. Five days later, the District Attorney’s Office determined the NYPD did not have a case against Mr. Brown and dropped the charge.

On April 7, 2022, Ms. Raysor filed a notice of claim in New York State Supreme Court in Queens County against the New York Police Department (NYPD) under the Civil Rights Act 42 U.S.C. §1983. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and recovery of attorneys’ fees for, among other things, property damage, false arrest and false imprisonment. The items of damage and injuries sustained by the claimants are that they suffered injuries resulting in physical pain and suffering, loss of liberty, emotional trauma and suffering, including fear, embarrassment, humiliation, emotional distress, frustration, extreme inconvenience and anxiety.

Ms. Raysor says that, for the past two years, she has been more than willing to meet with the city’s attorneys, but they have constantly postponed these meetings in an effort to prevent her from deposing the defendant officers.

“It has been two years, and the case hasn’t gone anywhere,” Ms. Raysor says. “The family was victimized by the NYPD and now, they are being victimized again, this time by the City of New York. The city should stop dragging its feet on this and let the case move on. That way, the family will know they are being heard.”

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

Attorney Lauren P. Raysor is calling on Miriam Rocah, District Attorney, Westchester County, to release the results of its investigation into a hit-and-run accident that sent a 72-year-old woman to the hospital. She says that it has been nearly three months since the incident occurred and Ms. Rocah’s office has yet to disclose its findings in the case.

 

On October 19, 2021 at 5:19 p.m., Geraldine Sinceno was hit by a car, driven by 25-year-old Gillian Getlan, on North Avenue and 5^th Avenue in New Rochelle. Ms. Sinceno suffered multiple injuries and was admitted to the trauma unit at Jacobi Hospital. She underwent surgery and is currently recovering in a nursing facility.

 

Defendant Getlan was only issued a summons, but not arrested, for failing to show a driver’s license and insurance and leaving the scene of an accident. She was only given a desk appearance ticket. On December 9, 2021, she was arraigned at New Rochelle City Court. She pled not guilty to an upgraded charge of leaving the scene of an accident and causing injury — a felony — and was released on her own recognizance. She is scheduled to return to court on Friday, January 14 at 9:30 a.m.

 

Ms. Raysor and members of the community recently met with Daniel Flecha, Assistant District Attorney, Westchester County DA’s Office, to discuss the progress being made in the investigation. “We had more questions than answers,” said Ms. Raysor.

 

They were joined telephonically by Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Debra Northern, Pastors, Parish Care – The Riverside Church of New York City — two concerned members of the community. “If attorney Raysor were not raising certain issues, it would have been lost in the proceedings for justice to be served,” Rev. Dr. Forbes said.

 

Attorney Raysor says that Ms. Sinceno is still suffering from her injuries and felt that Defendant Getlan treated her like “trash.”

 

“More importantly, we believe that, if Defendant Getlan were drunk or under the influence of drugs, the charges would have been more serious,” Ms. Raysor said. “However, no drug or alcohol test was taken. We want full transparency. The public has the right to know.”

 

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

 

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

Reminds Them That January is International Child-Centered Divorce Month

Attorney Lauren P. Raysor is asking parents who are getting, or planning to get, a divorce to prioritize their children’s emotional and psychological health, as they are also affected by this difficult life event and that the month of January is International Child-Centered Divorce Month.

 

International Child-Centered Divorce Month is an annual designation set during the month of January which alerts parents of the effects that divorce has on their children and how they can eliminate the emotional and psychological toll of divorce, while and after it happens.

 

Studies from the U.S. National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health have shown that children of divorce are more likely to develop mental and physical illnesses, drop out of school, become incarcerated and commit suicide. Further, less than half of children will still live with their biological parents by the time they turn 17, according to the American Community Survey.

 

Ms. Raysor says most divorces occur in January, after the holidays end. “Both parents try to keep the family together when the holidays come around,” she says. “They try to keep a united front for the sake of the children, but it becomes too great so, when the holidays are over, that is when the marriage is over, too.”

 

The process of getting a divorce can be stressful for adults, Ms. Raysor says, but parents should take their children’s feelings into account as well. “It is important for the child’s health and wellbeing that the parents engage in counseling and in healthy communication with one another,” she says. “Children can be emotionally and psychologically scarred from divorces that become acrimonious.”

 

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

 

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

Driver Only Received a Desk Appearance Ticket

Attorney Lauren P. Raysor is calling on Miriam E. Rocah, District Attorney, Westchester County, to investigate a hit-and-run accident that sent a 72-year-old woman to the hospital. A woman and two other drivers chased 25-year-old Gillian Getlan and blocked her in to prevent her from leaving. The police arrived and the driver was apprehended, but not arrested.

 

“Over 40 days have passed by, and we are hoping that this case can now be thoroughly investigated,” Ms. Raysor said. “Likened to the Ahmaud Arbery case, we are seeking to determine if there has been political favoritism and obstruction of justice which delayed the swift prosecution of this matter. If there are any conflicts of interest that emerge, then a Special Prosecutor must be appointed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul.”

 

On October 19, 2021 at 5:19 p.m., Geraldine Sinceno, a retired hospice nurse, was hit by a car on North Avenue and 5^th Avenue in New Rochelle. She suffered multiple injuries and was admitted to the trauma unit at Jacobi Hospital. Ms. Sinceno underwent surgery and is currently recovering in a nursing facility.

 

Ms. Getlan should have been arrested, but was only issued a summons for failing to show a driver’s license and insurance and leaving the scene of an accident. She was only given a desk appearance ticket. She is scheduled to appear at New Rochelle City Court, 475 North Avenue, New Rochelle on December 9, 2021.

 

In New York State, leaving the scene of an accident that results in bodily injury is a Class E felony with a maximum penalty of seven years in jail, and a $5,000 fine.

 

“The Sinceno family believes they have been treated unfairly in this investigation,” Ms. Raysor said. “I have called on Miriam Rocah, the Westchester District Attorney, to investigate this case. We believe that Gillian Getlan should be arrested.”

 

Ms. Raysor pointed out that Ms. Sinceno has been a pillar of the community, serving as a registered nurse for more than 20 years. “She worked very hard caring for those who were seriously ill or dying, even when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred,” she said. “It is only right that she and her family get the justice that they deserve. The family asks that you appear in Court on December 9, 2021 to support Geraldine Sinceno.”

 

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

 

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK — Attorney Lauren P. Raysor said she agreed with the jury’s guilty verdicts of three men who were responsible for the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery on February 23, 2020, but added that more needs to be done to make sure the justice system is fairer for persons of color.

 

On November 24, a Georgia State Court jury found Travis McMichael guilty of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment and one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony; Gregory McMichael guilty of four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment and one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony; and William “Roddie” Bryan guilty of three counts of felony murder, and one count each of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. Each defendant could face life in prison.

 

“Today’s verdict shows that justice prevailed,” Ms. Raysor said. “However, the justice system still needs to do a better job representing Blacks who have been killed in cold blood because of the color of their skin. We hope that we can achieve a fairer system in the near future.”

 

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

 

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

 

Officers Executed “No-Knock” Warrant upon Entering Residence

On April 20, 2021, Attorney Lauren P. Raysor announced that she is filing a lawsuit against the New York Police Department (NYPD) on behalf of her client, Andre Brown. Ms. Raysor claimed officers executed a “no-knock” warrant upon entering the premises and unlawfully arresting Mr. Brown.

On the morning of March 5, 2021, Mr. Brown, who was living in the basement apartment of his family’s house in Jamaica, Queens with his girlfriend, Deidre Covington, saw a group of NYPD officers — their faces and badges covered with dark cloth — pointing their guns at him. The officers broke down the front door and trashed the basement apartment. They made him and his girlfriend get dressed, cuffed Mr. Brown and pulled them into a police van without explanation. Meanwhile, another group of officers told Mr. Brown’s family, who were upstairs, not to move. None of the officers produced a warrant before entering the residence.

Mr. Brown spent 25 minutes in the van. A short while later, Ms. Covington was released. Mr. Brown was taken to the precinct, where he was ticketed for possession of marijuana. He spent 90 minutes in a jail cell after being fingerprinted and photographed. Five days later, the District Attorney’s Office determined the NYPD did not have a case against Mr. Brown and dropped the charge.

“I can’t understand, in light of Breonna Taylor’s murder, that the police are allowed to execute ‘no-knock’ warrants,” Ms. Raysor said. “Suspending our constitutional rights under the guise of fighting crime is morally wrong. What is worse is that a majority of these ‘no-knock’ warrants are executed in communities of color. We can’t wait until someone is killed to change the law. We have a chance to make changes now.”

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

Attorney Lauren P. Raysor said that the guilty verdict handed to former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is long overdue, since too many communities of color have been victimized by questionable and, at times, unlawful tactics used by police in making an arrest.

On May 25, 2020, Mr. Chauvin, who was on the force at the time, tried to handcuff George Floyd by placing his knee on the back of Mr. Floyd’s neck for nine-and-a-half minutes. Although Mr. Floyd told him he couldn’t breathe, Mr. Chauvin continued to press his knee behind Mr. Floyd’s neck. Mr. Floyd was later transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The next day, Mr. Chauvin was fired from the force. On May 29, 2020, he was arrested in the death of Mr. Floyd and charged with murder and manslaughter. On April 20, 2021, a jury found Mr. Chauvin guilty on three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 75 years.

“I am relieved that some semblance of justice can be found in this verdict,” Ms. Raysor said. “Every time a police officer is on trial for the death of an African-American citizen, they are usually found not guilty for one reason or the other. Now that this verdict has been rendered, I hope that the police departments across the U.S. will clean house and reform their practices so that they can no longer demonstrate any forms of hostility on persons of color.”

Ms. Raysor concentrates her practice in civil rights, representing those who are arrested during a traffic stop for no reason or as a result of racial profiling, experience negligence while in jail or prison, or use of excessive force. She also founded the Mount Vernon Coalition for Police Reform, which is comprised of former police officers, civil rights attorneys, former city officials and other concerned individuals seeking ways to improve the practices of the Mount Vernon Police Department.

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

 

Who:            Attorney Lauren P. Raysor, Esq., Principal, Lauren P. Raysor, Attorney at Law

Andre Brown, Ms. Raysor’s client

Tijuana Brown and Susan Brown, Mr. Brown’s relatives

What:           Lauren P. Raysor, Esq., Principal, Lauren P. Raysor, Attorney at Law, will hold a press conference to announce that she is filing a lawsuit against the New York Police Department (NYPD) on behalf of Andre Brown, who was unlawfully arrested and detained by officers without being read his rights. Ms. Raysor claims NYPD officers executed a “no-knock” warrant upon entering his residence.

On the morning of March 5, 2021, Mr. Brown, who was living in the basement of his family’s house in Jamaica, Queens with his girlfriend, Deidre Covington, heard a noise coming from upstairs and went to investigate. He saw a group of NYPD officers — their faces and badges covered with dark cloth — pointing their guns at him. They made him and his girlfriend get dressed, cuffed Mr. Brown and pulled them into a police van without explanation. Meanwhile, another group of officers told Mr. Brown’s family, who were upstairs, not to move. None of the officers produced a warrant before entering the premises.

Mr. Brown spent 25 minutes in the van. A short while later, Ms. Covington was released. Mr. Brown was taken to the precinct, where he was ticketed for possession of marijuana. He spent 90 minutes in a jail cell after being fingerprinted and photographed. Five days later, the District Attorney’s Office determined the NYPD did not have a case against Mr. Brown.

Ms. Raysor says most “no-knock” warrants are executed in communities of color and this incident could have resulted in tragic consequences, similar to what happened with Breonna Taylor.

When:           Tuesday, April 20, 2021

4:30 p.m.

Where:         Lauren P. Raysor, Attorney at Law

Roosevelt Professional Building

                     11 West Prospect Avenue

                     Mount Vernon, NY

** PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19 protocols, the press conference will be held outside in the law firm’s parking lot. **

Directions:   From I-95 N: Take Exit 9 to Hutchinson Pkwy N. Stay on Hutchinson Pkwy. N. and take Exit 12 toward East Lincoln Ave./Mount Vernon/Pelham. Turn left onto First Ave., then another left onto 84/Lincoln Ave. After 0.4 mile, take another left onto Darwood Pl. Go 0.2 mile, then go right onto E. Sidney Ave. Make a left onto Gramatan Ave., then a right onto W. Prospect Ave. Law office is on the right-hand side. 

Photo Ops:   Ms. Raysor joined by Mr. Brown and his family.

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK — Attorney Lauren P. Raysor has announced that she will be hosting an informative monthly series on Facebook Live called “Know Your Rights.” On the 15^th of each month, Ms. Raysor will provide advice on how people can protect their rights, whether they are the victim of police misconduct, facing bankruptcy or filing for divorce.

Ms. Raysor has extensive legal experience, concentrating her practice in negligence claims, police misconduct cases, bankruptcy and matrimonial law. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department, and Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, where she prosecuted consumer fraud. She is also the Founder of the Mount Vernon Coalition for Police Reform.

The upcoming schedule and topics are as follows:

• December 15, 2020 — Police Encounters & 1983 Claims
• January 15, 2021 — Protecting Your Assets With Bankruptcy
• February 15, 2021 — Divorce New York Style

Each episode will be streamed on Facebook Live from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and can be viewed by visiting www.facebook.com/LaurenPRaysor.

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.

 

MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK — On November 21, 2020, attorney Lauren P. Raysor held a press conference in front of the Law Offices of Lauren P. Raysor to announce that she has filed a complaint on behalf of Gordon Tarrant, a Mount Vernon resident who claims he was falsely arrested for sale and possession of drugs. The defendants named in this case include the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County Police Departments and members of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and Mount Vernon Police Officer Carmelo Antonini.

On the morning of April 26, 2018, Mr. Tarrant was in his Mount Vernon apartment when he heard a loud pounding at the door. He looked out the window and saw officers from the Mount Vernon and Westchester County Police Departments. They identified themselves as “parole, probation and pardon services.” As he answered the door, officers told him to drop the phone, threw him against the wall and handcuffed him. Mr. Tarrant asked about a warrant for his arrest, but it was never produced.

After being searched twice, Mr. Tarrant was transported to the Mount Vernon Police Station and booked on charges of Bail Jumping in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. The charges were dismissed by the DA’s office.

The Plaintiff is seeking damages resulting from violations of his rights to be free from an unreasonable search and seizure; violation of his rights to Due Process of Law; violation of his New York State constitutional rights; physical pain and suffering; emotional trauma and suffering, including fear, embarrassment, humiliation, emotional distress, frustration, extreme inconvenience and anxiety; and loss of liberty.

“Police Officer Antonini, among others, and the Westchester County Police Department, together with the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, conspired to imprison a man and violate his civil and constitutional rights,” Ms. Raysor said. “The officers and the DA’s office need to be held responsible for this miscarriage of justice.”

For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.

 

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About Lauren P. Raysor

Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.