New York City to Pay $28 Million Over Redundant Jail Strip Searches

The lawsuit, Lewis, et al. v. City of New York, alleged that these secondary searches violated constitutional rights under both the Fourth Amendment and the New York State Constitution. The settlement covers individuals in custody between March 28, 2020, and February 29, 2024, with specific eligibility windows depending on security classification.

Beyond the $28 million fund designated for class members, the city has agreed to pay $37,500 to each of the two class representatives, Raymond Lewis and Frederick Ortiz, alongside $500,000 for administrative costs. Claim forms must be postmarked by November 26, 2026, to qualify for payment. A final approval hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2027, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, where the court will evaluate the fairness and adequacy of the agreement.