Home / Crime and Justice / NYPD Accused of Keeping Seized Property
NYPD Accused of Keeping Seized Property
26 Oct
Summary
- Lawsuit claims NYPD profits from selling seized property.
- Mother's Christmas gifts allegedly donated by police.
- Complex process hinders return of confiscated belongings.
A lawsuit filed by Brooklyn Defender Services and White & Case LLP accuses New York City's police department of making it unduly difficult for individuals to reclaim seized property. The complaint asserts that the process for returning confiscated belongings violates due process rights, citing confusing instructions and bureaucratic obstacles.
One plaintiff, Andrea Smith-Taylor, claims that after her arrest on December 24, 2024, police seized over $3,500 in cash and Christmas gifts intended for her five children. Despite her criminal case being dismissed, she alleges the gifts were donated and her cash was not returned.
The lawsuit further contends that proceeds from sold seized property are directed to NYPD accounts, creating a financial incentive to withhold items. In 2025, the NYPD returned approximately 70% of seized items, holding over $5 million in unretrieved property and generating nearly $1 million from auctions.
Other plaintiffs describe similar struggles, including one who lost personal items stored in his seized car, and another whose necklace containing his deceased son's ashes was allegedly taken while he was unconscious.
