Watkins Law Wins Discrimination and Retaliation Trial on Behalf of Latino Sleepy Hollow Police Officer

In October, a federal jury in White Plains returned a verdict in favor of Officer Hector Rosario on his claims of race discrimination and retaliation.   According to the closing argument of his attorney, Christopher Watkins, Rosario was subjected to a years-long campaign of retaliation after he first of complained discrimination within the Village of Sleepy Hollow Police Department.  The evidence of retaliation included a Lieutenant posting a flyer on a bulletin board which depicted a large rat and the words, "Think Before You Speak!!!" written under it.  Watkins argued that, among other things, Officer Rosario was denied a promotion and removed from a special narcotics unit because of his complaints of discrimination, which included a complaint about white officers pretending to shoot and kill fellow Black and Latino officers while playing a video game.  The jury agreed and awarded Officer Rosario $250,000 in damages for lost pay and pain and suffering.  The trial was covered by The NY Journal News; its story on the verdict is here:  https://www.lohud.com/story/news/2020/10/13/sleepy-hollow-officer-hector-rosario-wins-250-000-verdict-discrimination-retaliation-claims/5974207002/