Attorneys Margulis-Ohnuma and Perlmutter Sue State Officials for Allegedly Tolerating Sex Abuse in Prison

By Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma

Attorneys Adam Perlmutter and Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma have filed a complaint in Federal court in Albany alleging a pervasive pattern of sexual abuse by a prison guard.  According to the complaint, Corrections Officer Simon Prindle routinely sexually abused inmates by fondling their genitals during unnecessary searches at the facility, located in Napanoch, New York.  The complaint alleges that the superintendent of the facility at the time, William P. Brown, personally signed off on at least 20 grievances filed against Officer Prindle — but failed to take action to stop the abuse from continuing.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two victims of Officer Prindle’s abuse.  One, James Crawford, has since been released from custody.  The other, Thaddeus Corley, is a current inmate.  The complaint details how Officer Prindle created pretexts for searching the inmates, groped and fondled their genitals, and continued to do so as other officers stood by without intervening.  It seeks $10 million in damages for each victim and an injunction preventing Officer Prindle from having further contact with inmates.