The NYPD’s Aggressive Enforcement of a Little-known Law

How New York City police are using little-known laws to kick people out of their homes, even if they haven’t been charged with a crime.

New York City Set to Pass Sweeping Nuisance Abatement Reforms

by ProPublica

Feb. 14, 1:37 p.m. EST

An investigation by the New York Daily News and ProPublica prompts changes that guarantee residents and businesses targeted in NYPD nuisance actions more due process rights.

New York City Police Receptive to Some Reforms of Nuisance Enforcement

by ProPublica

Nov. 3, 2016, 4:25 p.m. EDT

At a City Council hearing, police brass show flexibility on controversial tool for quality of life actions.

New York City Council Moves to Overhaul Nuisance Abatement Enforcement

by ProPublica

Oct. 19, 2016, 10:08 a.m. EDT

The Council speaker will put forward a package of bills aimed at better protecting tenants and businesses targeted by police.

After Mayor Pledges ‘Due Process,’ NYPD Renews Aggressive Nuisance Abatement Enforcement

by Sarah Smith

Oct. 13, 2016, 3:03 p.m. EDT

Police in New York pursue civil cases against homes and businesses despite concerns about fairness and in the face of lawsuits.

Lawsuit to Seek Rollback of NYPD’s Controversial Nuisance Abatement Efforts

by ProPublica

Oct. 12, 2016, 10:27 a.m. EDT

A legal move in federal court will ask for class action status to protect renters and business owners from alleged unconstitutional police enforcement.

Officials Were Warned of Trouble With NYPD Lockout Orders, And Then Police Kicked Out Wrong Family

by ProPublica

May 2, 2016, 10:46 a.m. EDT

A letter from legal groups to the New York City’s Law Department warned city officials that “vulnerable tenants” are often ensnared in nuisance abatements.

NYPD Chief: Police ‘Will Continue to Aggressively Enforce Nuisance Abatement’

by ProPublica

April 28, 2016, 3:16 p.m. EDT

In response to an investigation by the Daily News and ProPublica, New York City’s police commissioner Bill Bratton insists nuisance cases remain a critical tool for keeping neighborhoods safe.

Groups Mull Suits Over Police Stings Aimed at Immigrant-owned Stores

by ProPublica

April 27, 2016, 11:05 a.m. EDT

Advocates, trade groups and lawmakers respond after an investigation by the New York Daily News and ProPublica shows the NYPD disproportionately targets businesses in minority neighborhoods for nuisance abatement actions.

Recap: Chat with The Lawyer Who Wrote the Nuisance Abatement Law

ProPublica

April 22, 2016, 1 p.m. EDT

Sidney Baumgarten commissioned the drafting of the Nuisance Abatement Law in the 1970s to clean up Times Square. He says the way the NYPD uses it today violates the constitution.

NYPD Gets Sued After Kicking Wrong Family Out of Home

by ProPublica

April 12, 2016, 10:49 a.m. EDT

The suit challenges the NYPD’s use of controversial nuisance abatement actions. It cites ProPublica and The Daily News’ investigation into the issue.

Insiders Say NYPD’s Nuisance Unit Skirts the Law and Relies on Unconfirmed Allegations

by ProPublica

March 25, 2016, 2:15 p.m. EDT

The NYPD is kicking people out of their homes, even if residents haven't been charged with a crime. Lawyers who have worked in the unit say cases are “rubber-stamped.”

NYPD to Change How Police Use Nuisance Abatement Law

by ProPublica

Feb. 11, 2016, 12:01 p.m. EST

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said New York City is retreating from the practice of locking out tenants before they even see a judge.

Officials Outraged After ‘Shocking’ Report on NYPD Kicking People Out of Homes

by ProPublica

Feb. 8, 2016, 8:59 a.m. EST

New York City officials said reforms were needed after our investigation showed that the police have been locking out residents who haven’t been charged with a crime.

How We Did Our Analysis of New York City Nuisance Abatement Cases

by ProPublica

Feb. 5, 2016, 9 a.m. EST

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Florida Lawmakers to Review Law Targeting Injured Undocumented Workers

By Howard Berkes, NPR, and Michael Grabell, ProPublica, Aug. 24, 2017, 8 a.m.

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<h1>Florida Lawmakers to Review Law Targeting Injured Undocumented Workers</h1>By Howard Berkes, NPR, and Michael Grabell, ProPublica, Aug. 24, 2017, 8 a.m.The second-highest ranking member of the Florida Senate pledged a legislative review of a state law that has allowed injured undocumented workers to be arrested and potentially deported rather than paid workers' compensation benefits."Legitimate injuries shouldn't be denied just because the person was an undocumented immigrant," said Republican Sen. Anitere Flores, the president pro tempore of the state Senate and chair of the Banking and Insurance Committee."One needs to balance the going after fraudulent claims," she said, "with not overcompensating and then denying claims to those individuals who have actually been injured."Flores spoke in response to a recent <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/08/16/543650270/they-got-hurt-at-work-then-they-got-deported">NPR</a> and <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/they-got-hurt-at-work-then-they-got-deported">ProPublica</a> investigation and a subsequent statement by the nation's largest insurance fraud group, which called on Florida lawmakers to change the law. The <a href="https://www.insurancefraud.org/blog/aug-2017/florida-loophole-lets-insurers-deny">Coalition Against Insurance Fraud</a> said employers and insurance companies are applying the law in ways that place "the credibility of combating real fraud at risk.""Legislators in the Sunshine State need to correct this loophole so workers hurt on the job get the care they need," said Dennis Jay, executive director of the coalition, which is made up of insurance companies, government agencies, consumer organizations and insurance fraud investigators."I just see the credibility of the anti-fraud effort being hurt by such practices," Jay said in an interview.NPR and ProPublica found that nearly 800 undocumented workers in Florida have been charged with workers' comp fraud for using illicit Social Security numbers to either get their jobs, file for workers' compensation benefits or both. More than 560 didn't actually file workers' comp claims but still were charged with fraud. Another 130 suffered legitimate workplace injuries but were denied benefits and prosecuted. Some were detained by federal immigration authorities and deported.Like most states, Florida provides workers' comp benefits to undocumented workers despite their legal status. The state's workers' comp law was <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.105.html">amended in 2003</a> to make the use of false identification in obtaining jobs and workers' comp benefits a felony."I don't see how they can legally justify that," Jay said. "It also paints insurers as uncaring, greedy corporations that allow human suffering to make a buck."Some of the insurance companies who have used the Florida law to deny claims are members of Jay's coalition, as is the state agency that administers the law.Jon Moore, spokesman for the <a href="http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/DIFS/">Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services</a>, said his agency is "obligated to enforce the law as it relates to the workers' compensation system in Florida." But he said, "another look into the questions that are being posed may be warranted. What is the balance between the harm and the benefits that are being produced?"Flores said she is especially concerned about companies who may hire undocumented workers knowing that the threat of prosecution and deportation may keep them from pursuing workers' comp claims if they are injured at work.‘That's borderline unconscionable," Flores said, adding that she'll seek the legislature's review of this use of Florida law as part of a planned broader look at the state's workers' compensation law.John Porreca, the owner of SouthEast Personnel Leasing and subsidiaries Lion Insurance and Packard Claims, did not respond to a request for comment. Porreca's companies were featured in NPR and ProPublica's story and turned in far more injured workers than any others.Steve Cassell, the president of Command Investigations, which investigates the backgrounds of undocumented workers for insurers and features a gallery of injured workers on its website, also did not respond.Brian Carter, a Florida workers' comp attorney, welcomed the call for changes to the Florida law. He says undocumented workers use illicit Social Security numbers because they can't get jobs without them and employers in Florida need those workers."It is illogical to legislatively provide workers' compensation benefits to undocumented workers," Carter said, "and then legislatively make it criminal to use a false Social Security number for identification."&nbsp;Jay added that his group is already engaging Florida lawmakers and will offer assistance in drafting alternative legislation.ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for their <a href="http://www.propublica.org/forms/newsletter_daily_email">newsletter</a>.<link rel="canonical" href="http://www.propublica.org/article/florida-lawmakers-to-review-law-targeting-injured-undocumented-workers"><meta name="syndication-source" content="http://www.propublica.org/article/florida-lawmakers-to-review-law-targeting-injured-undocumented-workers"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://pixel.propublica.org/pixel.js" async></script>

More links to explore

Nuisance Abatement

The NYPD’s Aggressive Enforcement of a Little-known Law

New York City Set to Pass Sweeping Nuisance Abatement Reforms

An investigation by the New York Daily News and ProPublica prompts changes that guarantee residents and businesses targeted in NYPD nuisance actions more due process rights.

New York City Police Receptive to Some Reforms of Nuisance Enforcement

At a City Council hearing, police brass show flexibility on controversial tool for quality of life actions.

New York City Council Moves to Overhaul Nuisance Abatement Enforcement

The Council speaker will put forward a package of bills aimed at better protecting tenants and businesses targeted by police.

After Mayor Pledges ‘Due Process,’ NYPD Renews Aggressive Nuisance Abatement Enforcement

Police in New York pursue civil cases against homes and businesses despite concerns about fairness and in the face of lawsuits.

Lawsuit to Seek Rollback of NYPD’s Controversial Nuisance Abatement Efforts

A legal move in federal court will ask for class action status to protect renters and business owners from alleged unconstitutional police enforcement.

Officials Were Warned of Trouble With NYPD Lockout Orders, And Then Police Kicked Out Wrong Family

A letter from legal groups to the New York City’s Law Department warned city officials that “vulnerable tenants” are often ensnared in nuisance abatements.

NYPD Chief: Police ‘Will Continue to Aggressively Enforce Nuisance Abatement’

In response to an investigation by the Daily News and ProPublica, New York City’s police commissioner Bill Bratton insists nuisance cases remain a critical tool for keeping neighborhoods safe.

Groups Mull Suits Over Police Stings Aimed at Immigrant-owned Stores

Advocates, trade groups and lawmakers respond after an investigation by the New York Daily News and ProPublica shows the NYPD disproportionately targets businesses in minority neighborhoods for nuisance abatement actions.

Recap: Chat with The Lawyer Who Wrote the Nuisance Abatement Law

Sidney Baumgarten commissioned the drafting of the Nuisance Abatement Law in the 1970s to clean up Times Square. He says the way the NYPD uses it today violates the constitution.

NYPD Gets Sued After Kicking Wrong Family Out of Home

The suit challenges the NYPD’s use of controversial nuisance abatement actions. It cites ProPublica and The Daily News’ investigation into the issue.

Insiders Say NYPD’s Nuisance Unit Skirts the Law and Relies on Unconfirmed Allegations

The NYPD is kicking people out of their homes, even if residents haven't been charged with a crime. Lawyers who have worked in the unit say cases are “rubber-stamped.”

NYPD to Change How Police Use Nuisance Abatement Law

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said New York City is retreating from the practice of locking out tenants before they even see a judge.

Officials Outraged After ‘Shocking’ Report on NYPD Kicking People Out of Homes

New York City officials said reforms were needed after our investigation showed that the police have been locking out residents who haven’t been charged with a crime.

How We Did Our Analysis of New York City Nuisance Abatement Cases

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Failing Charter Schools Have a Reincarnation Plan

Attorneys General in 37 States Urge Insurance Industry to Do More to Curb Opioid Epidemic

The Trumps Say They’re Opening Hotels in Dallas, Nashville and Elsewhere. We Couldn’t Find Evidence of Them.

Amid Opioid Crisis, Insurers Restrict Pricey, Less Addictive Painkillers

An investigation by the New York Daily News and ProPublica prompts changes that guarantee residents and businesses targeted in NYPD nuisance actions more due process rights.

At a City Council hearing, police brass show flexibility on controversial tool for quality of life actions.

The Council speaker will put forward a package of bills aimed at better protecting tenants and businesses targeted by police.

Police in New York pursue civil cases against homes and businesses despite concerns about fairness and in the face of lawsuits.

A legal move in federal court will ask for class action status to protect renters and business owners from alleged unconstitutional police enforcement.

A letter from legal groups to the New York City’s Law Department warned city officials that “vulnerable tenants” are often ensnared in nuisance abatements.

In response to an investigation by the Daily News and ProPublica, New York City’s police commissioner Bill Bratton insists nuisance cases remain a critical tool for keeping neighborhoods safe.

Advocates, trade groups and lawmakers respond after an investigation by the New York Daily News and ProPublica shows the NYPD disproportionately targets businesses in minority neighborhoods for nuisance abatement actions.

Sidney Baumgarten commissioned the drafting of the Nuisance Abatement Law in the 1970s to clean up Times Square. He says the way the NYPD uses it today violates the constitution.

The suit challenges the NYPD’s use of controversial nuisance abatement actions. It cites ProPublica and The Daily News’ investigation into the issue.

The NYPD is kicking people out of their homes, even if residents haven't been charged with a crime. Lawyers who have worked in the unit say cases are “rubber-stamped.”

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said New York City is retreating from the practice of locking out tenants before they even see a judge.

New York City officials said reforms were needed after our investigation showed that the police have been locking out residents who haven’t been charged with a crime.

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Florida Lawmakers to Review Law Targeting Injured Undocumented Workers

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