(NEW YORK, NY) – Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP (ECBAWM) secured a $1.2 million settlement, in addition to attorneys’ fees and costs, for Matthew Raymond, a client who was violently assaulted while incarcerated at Auburn Correctional Facility in upstate New York. This settlement follows federal civil rights litigation filed in 2018 against multiple correctional personnel, including former New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Lieutenant Troy Mitchell.

Defendant Mitchell’s previous conduct has already cost taxpayers close to $1,000,000 in settlements arising from allegations of violent assault and sexual harassment—from both incarcerated individuals and DOCCS employees—that he perpetrated as a corrections employee.

On September 14, 2016, Mr. Raymond, who was then 28 years old, was viciously assaulted by defendant Mitchell with repeated blows to the head, neck, chest, and groin. During this beating, Mr. Raymond was restrained, handcuffed, and unable to defend himself. Defendant Mitchell used his open hand, closed fist, and baton to attack Mr. Raymond, assaulting him in a small first aid room at Auburn Correctional Facility. Other correctional officers stood by and did nothing to stop defendant Mitchell’s assault. One sergeant recorded the incident with a handheld video camera. After the incident, defendant Mitchell arranged for the video to be destroyed in an attempt to cover up the assault. The beating on September 14 inflicted permanent urological and spinal injuries on Mr. Raymond. He developed neurogenic bladder and bladder dysfunction, lost the ability to urinate without a catheter, and ultimately required bladder augmentation surgery in 2020, a major reconstructive surgery. Throughout the rest of his incarceration, Mr. Raymond suffered from the lingering emotional effects of the assault, including frequent nightmares, and was constantly concerned about his physical safety. He was repeatedly retaliated against.Since his release from prison in 2020, Mr. Raymond has lived with his wife and children in Buffalo. Every day, he is focused on managing and recovering from his permanent and profound injuries, which have left him unable to urinate normally for the rest of his life.

“To this day, I still suffer—emotionally and physically—from the torture I endured at Auburn Correctional Facility,” said Matthew Raymond. “Only after a reporter took an interest in my case and published a front-page story highlighting the nightmare I was forced to endure, did I finally feel like someone was watching over me and protecting me. It shouldn’t take a news report to prevent correction officers from committing unconscionable and inhumane acts. I’m hopeful this settlement brings more attention to New York’s brutal prison system and the daily suffering endured by those languishing in these facilities—many of whom are my friends. I want to thank ECBAWM for never relenting on this case and for their pursuit of justice for me.”

“While we are pleased to have secured a $1.2 million settlement for Mr. Raymond, no amount of money can ever fully compensate him for the severe and lasting trauma he endured,” said Katie Rosenfeld, Partner at Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP. “This senseless and brutal assault inflicted permanent physical and emotional injuries that will affect Mr. Raymond for the rest of his life. Even with the settlement, the lasting consequences of this attack, including irreversible urological injuries and the need for ongoing medical care, will remain.

This tragedy should never have occurred, particularly when DOCCS was well aware of former Lieutenant Mitchell’s long and documented history of violently abusing incarcerated people with the complicity of his subordinates.”

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ECBAWM Secures $1.2 Million Settlement for Client Who Was Violently Assaulted in NYS Prison