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Cop Accused Of Taking Cell-Phone Photos While Strip Searching Woman
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 17, 2009
Modified Dec 17, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 17, 2009
Modified Dec 17, 2009
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An unidentified male cop in the notorious Brooklyn South Narcotics unit allegedly took personal photos of a female drug suspect during multiple, unauthorized strip searches. Claudia Bova, 23, was arrested in a Coney Island drug sweep in June 2007, and taken to a building in downtown Brooklyn for booking. The officer allegedly told Bova he would have to perform a body search because there were no female officers available, in violation of an NYPD policy prohibiting cross-gender searches. Bova claims he led her to the bathroom and ordered her to lift up her shirt, "shake out her bra" and pull down her pants, according to court papers obtained by the Daily News. But it didn't end there!
Once the cop got a good look at her, he only wanted more, Bova claims. After taking her back to an interview room, the officer allegedly said he noticed a tattoo below her navel he needed to photograph for—"identification purposes," of course. So Bova says she had to go back to the bathroom and pull her pants down again so the cop could take a picture (which would last longer). But it didn't end there, either: "After some time passed, the officer returned and explained the district attorney was demanding that he search [Bova] again," the complaint says. "The officer explained the photos he had taken earlier of her tattoo did not come out well and he would probably come back again to take more photos."
He allegedly took more shots with his cell phone camera, for total coverage. Sources tell the News that a surveillance camera caught the cop taking her into the bathroom. Bova subsequently pleaded guilty to the drug charges and is in a treatment program. She's also, naturally, suing the city. "This scared, isolated girl was victimized by the officer," her lawyer declares. "This lawsuit gives her the voice she didn't have that day."
Tagged
arrest
brooklyn south narcotics
cell phone
cop
lawsuit
naked
nude
photos
pics
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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