The city will shell out $98,000 to five cyclists who claimed they were roughed up and arrested for no good reason during a 2007 Times Square group bike ride, advocates said yesterday.
“While I’m pleased with the monetary victory for myself and the other plaintiffs, there will be no real justice until the higher-ups in the NYPD are held accountable for their actions,” said Richard Vazquez, a Long Island cyclist who was seen on video being hurled to the ground by a sergeant.
In announcing the deal, the environmental-action group Time’s Up also released an audio recording that appeared to catch the sergeant, Timothy Horohoe, lying about the incident.
On the tape, Horohoe is heard telling the Civilian Complaint Review Board that Vazquez fell off his bike unmolested.
The money will be split among Vazquez and the four other plaintiffs, Joyce Lin, Caroline Sampanaro, Jordan Groh and Christian Gutierrez. Vazquez will receive $3,750.