Every dollar amount and date on this page is quoted from the official settlement document.
New York City DOC Strip Search Settlement (Lewis v. City of New York)
Court case: Lewis, et al. v. City of New York, et al., No. 23 Civ 2600 (CM)
The City of New York agreed to a $28 million settlement over claims that people in Department of Correction custody were unconstitutionally strip searched again at the Manhattan Court Division after already being strip searched before leaving Rikers Island. Eligible class members can file a claim for a pro rata cash payment.
Official eligibility wordingAny individual in New York City Department of Correction (DOC) custody who was strip searched upon arrival at the Manhattan Court Division after having been strip searched prior to departing Rikers Island for court during the Class Period. Class Period: March 28, 2020 – February 29, 2024 for individuals classified as Enhanced Security by DOC; October 1, 2022 – February 29, 2024 for all other individuals. Excludes those who previously settled such claims, certain plaintiffs represented by Oddo and Babat before Judge D. Kaplan, and those barred by a valid release with the City. Checked against the official settlement source by SettleSignal on September 5, 2026.
Key facts
- Who may qualify You qualify if you were in New York City DOC custody and were strip searched when you arrived at the Manhattan Court Division after already being strip searched before leaving Rikers Island for court. The qualifying dates are March 28, 2020–February 29, 2024 if you were classified as Enhanced Security, or October 1, 2022–February 29, 2024 for everyone else.
- Estimated payoutPro rata cash from a $28,000,000 Distribution Amount; each claimant's share is the number of times they were strip searched (upon arrival at Manhattan Court Division after already being strip searched before leaving Rikers) divided by the total such searches by all claimants. Attorneys' fees, service awards, and administrative costs are NOT deducted from the $28,000,000.
- Claim deadlineNovember 26, 2026
- Proof requiredNo
- What you needFile a Claim Form online or by mail, postmarked by November 26, 2026, and confirm your identity (name, and identifiers such as NYSID/book & case number, SSN/TIN, date of birth, or DIN/facility if known). No documentation of the searches is required.
- CourtUnited States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Important dates
Verify it yourself
How we verified this record
The key facts on this page were taken from the official settlement source, administered by Verita (Verita Global), and last checked on September 5, 2026. We re-verify each field individually on a weekly pass.
1 official source linked to this record.
Where to act
File directly with Verita (Verita Global) via the official claim form before November 26, 2026.
