Casiano v. The City of New York

Background

Anthony Casiano is proceeding without a lawyer and brings claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a federal law that allows claims against state or local officials for violating federal rights. He alleges that the defendants violated his federal constitutional rights and his rights under state law. The opinion does not describe the underlying events in detail. An earlier order dated August 8, 2025, allowed Casiano to proceed without paying court fees in advance.

Service of the lawsuit

The court directed the Clerk of Court to electronically notify the New York City Police Department and the New York City Law Department of the order. The court requested that the City of New York and Officer Nicholas C. Pascucci, Shield # 9214, waive service of the summons. The order also directs the Clerk to mail Casiano an information package.

Identifying the unnamed officers

Casiano’s complaint names six New York City Police Department officers as John or Jane Doe defendants and provides enough information for the City to identify them. Under the procedure described in the opinion, the New York City Law Department must determine each officer’s identity, badge number, and address for service, then provide that information to Casiano and the court within 60 days of the order.

Within 30 days after receiving the information, Casiano must file an amended complaint naming the previously unidentified officers. The amended complaint will replace the original complaint rather than supplement it. After Casiano files it, the court will screen the amended complaint and, if necessary, issue an order asking the newly identified defendants to waive service.

Disposition

This is an order addressing service and identification of defendants. Judge Furman did not decide the merits of Casiano’s constitutional or state-law claims.