ECBA Files Federal Lawsuit Alleging Shocking Abuse in Bron...

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ECBA Files Federal Lawsuit Alleging Shocking

Abuse in Bronx Group Home
May 2, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2016

Three Families File Federal Lawsuit Alleging Shocking Abuse in Bronx Group Home
Known by State Workers As the Bronx Zoo

New York, NY This morning, three families filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court alleging severe and pervasive abuse of disabled residents in a New York State group home called the
Union Avenue IRA. According to New York States own Justice Center, staff gave disabled

residents black eyes, punched them, pulled their hair, spit on them, shoved and punched them,
kicked them, smashed their heads into walls, denied them food, and botched their medical care.
The lawsuit also alleges that high-level State officials knew about the alleged abuse, but did
nothing to stop it for months.
Staff refer to the group home as the Bronx Zoo. It is not known how many of these New
York State employees still work for the State or with the disabled.
Its revolting, appalling, inhuman, said Ilann M. Maazel, lead counsel, and a lawyer at

Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady. This case represents a complete breakdown in hiring,

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ECBA Files Federal Lawsuit Alleging Shocking Abuse in Bron...

http://www.ecbalaw.com/ecba-files-federal-lawsuit-alleging-sho...

training, investigation, discipline, and oversight. We call on Governor Cuomo and the Bronx
District Attorney to get justice for these families, and to make sure no disabled person is abused
in a New York State group home ever again.
Even by the standards of New Yorks notorious system of care for disabled people, this case
stands out as one of the most repugnant, said David Lebowitz, another attorney for the residents families. This is not a case of one or two bad apples, but an entrenched culture of cruelty tolerated by supervisors and State officials who turned their backs on vulnerable people in
their care.
Follow updates on the case here.
For more information, contact:
Ilann M. Maazel or David Lebowitz

Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP (in New York)

212-763-5000
imaazel@ecbalaw.com
dlebowitz@ecbalaw.com

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600 Fifth Avenue at Rockefeller Center, 10th Floor New York, New York 10020 Tel (212)
763-5000 Legal Notices

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