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Individuals held in New York City Department of Correction custody between March 28, 2020, and Feb. 29, 2024, who received a strip search upon arrival at the Manhattan Court Division after they already received a strip search before leaving Rikers Island for court may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.
The City of New York, the New York City Department of Correction and Commissioner Louis A. Molina agreed to settle a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged the defendants violated federal and state constitutional rights by requiring individuals in DOC custody to undergo unnecessary strip searches at the Manhattan Court Division without legitimate penological interest or reasonable suspicion.
Who can file a strip-search claim?
Class members are individuals who were in custody of the New York City DOC between March 28, 2020, and Feb. 29, 2024, who received a strip search upon arrival at the Manhattan Court Division after receiving a strip search before departing Rikers Island for court and who appear on the official class list.
There are two class periods:
- For individuals whom the DOC classified as requiring enhanced security, the class period is March 28, 2020, through Feb. 29, 2024.
- For all other individuals, the class period is Oct. 1, 2022, through Feb. 29, 2024.
How much are settlement payments?
Eligible class members who submit a valid claim will receive a pro rata payment from a $28 million fund. The amount each person receives depends on the number of times they received qualifying strip searches and the total number of such incidents all class members claim. Payments may be subject to deductions for child support liens, certain government liens or other judgments as required by law.
How to claim a class action payment
To receive a payment, class members can submit an online claim form or print and complete the PDF claim form from the online portal and mail it to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Lewis, et al. v. City of New York, et al. Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132
The claim deadline is Nov. 26, 2026.
Required proof and documentation
The claim form requires:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social Security number or tax identification number
If the class member is deceased, a legal representative may submit a claim with proof of death and documentation showing authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Payout options
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Paper check
- JPay (for claimants currently in DOC custody)
Settlement fund breakdown
The settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: Up to $500,000
- Attorneys’ fees and expenses: Up to $9,332,400
- Service awards to class representatives: $37,500 each ($75,000 total)
- Payments to eligible class members: $28,000,000
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: Nov. 26, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim: Nov. 26, 2026
- Fairness hearing: Jan. 29, 2027
When is the City of New York payout date?
The settlement administrator will distribute payments to eligible class members after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why is there a class action settlement?
The lawsuit alleged the City of New York and its Department of Correction violated federal and state constitutional rights by requiring individuals in custody to undergo unnecessary strip searches at the Manhattan Court Division, even after being searched at Rikers Island and without reasonable suspicion.
The City of New York agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.
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