FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., announces Former NYPD Police Officer Emily A. Brucato has settled her legal claims against former direct supervisor Johnathan Blatt after alleging he subjected her to a humiliating campaign of sexual harassment, including pestering her for a threesome and retaliating when she refused
New York, August 3, 2021 – Today, after resigning from the NYPD in response to a humiliating campaign of sexual harassment, Brucato announces the settlement of her federal civil rights lawsuit. Blatt will contribute $10,000 and the City $190,000.
According to the complaint, Brucato while assigned to Housing Bureau Police Service Area No.: 5 in Harlem Blatt made several inappropriate sexual remarks and advances towards her.
Brucato alleges that on or about July 6, 2016, after successfully completing the Recruit Training School aka Police Academy, the department transferred her to the Housing Bureau Police Service Area No.: 5.
Shortly thereafter, Brucato noticed Blatt giving Police Officer Ariana Ortiz ‘too much attention,’ according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, from February 15, 2017 through May 2018, Brucato alleges Blatt asked, “Hey, would you ever have a threesome? It is ok because my wife gave me the go ahead.”
On another occasion, Brucato alleges that while performing her duties as Operator, Blatt asked her “Would you ever give a ‘Blumpkin.’ According to Blatt, a ‘Blumpkin’ is performing a blow job while seated on the toilet.
While performing her duties as Operator, Brucato alleges Blatt commented about Police Officer Ariana Ortiz’s “nice ass that really fills out those administrative pants,” according to the complaint.
Brucato alleges that on another occasion while performing her duties, Blatt asked her, “Have you ever had sex with a Black Man?”
Blatt, according to the complaint, then turned to Police Officer Kenneth Darling and asked, “Maresca looks like she can take a horse cock, right?”
Eventually, on August 18, 2017, Brucato contacted the NYPD Office of Equity and Inclusion and reported Blatt’s sexually offensive conduct.
In May 2018, Brucato transferred to Police Service Area No.: 9.
On July 25, 2018, the NYPD Office of Equity and Inclusion notified her that the Police Commissioner has determined the allegations of sexual harassment SUBSTANTIATED.
According to the complaint, the Police Commissioner demoted Blatt from Probationary Lieutenant to Sergeant.
Brucato alleges that the Police Commissioner directed the department to issue Blatt Charges and Specifications and attend the Tactical Communications Course taught at the Police Academy.
On July 30, 2019, Blatt pled GUILTY to the Charges and Specifications agreeing to the forfeiture of thirty (30) vacation days. Several months later, the Police Commissioner accepted Blatt’s plea agreement.
In January 2020, Brucato resigned from the department.
“Mrs. Brucato is relieved this legal matter settled, unfortunately Blatt wrongfully remains a public employee. The NYPD and other employers need to deliver a swift and deliberate message that the physical and mental abuse of female employees will result in an immediate termination of their employment. Until abusers such as Blatt are held legally accountable in a significant way, the physical and mental abuse of female employees in the workplace will remain an underreported persistent problem,” says Eric Sanders.
ABOUT THE SANDERS FIRM, P.C.
The Sanders Firm, P.C. offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights, civil service rights, criminal law and discrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights. We are your voice for justice!
CONTACT
Eric Sanders, Esq.
President and Owner, The Sanders Firm, P.C.
Business Phone: 212-652-2782
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