New York City Paid $117 Million to Settle Misconduct Lawsuits in 2025
NYT Homepage
by Maria CramerMarch 2, 2026
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New York City settled misconduct lawsuits totaling $117 million in 2025, with the largest portion—over $24 million combined—allocated to two men wrongfully convicted of killing a French tourist in Midtown Manhattan in 1987. This settlement highlights growing concerns over police and legal system failures, as well as the need for accountability in high-profile cases. The convictions were later overturned due to new evidence and flawed forensic testimony, underscoring systemic issues within the criminal justice system.
The case gained national attention when the two men, who spent decades in prison, were exonerated after DNA evidence linked another individual to the 1987 murder. Advocacy groups like the Legal Aid Society
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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 3/2/2026