Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lesbian Ex-Cop Sues NYPD for $40 Million
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 11, 2010
Modified Jun 11, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 11, 2010
Modified Jun 11, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After 18 years on the force, a lesbian NYPD officer retired last August because she couldn't stand the harassment she was allegedly subjected to at the 49th Precinct stationhouse. Now Arlene Ramery, 50, is suing the city for $40 million, accusing a fellow detective, Ralph Argiento, of sexual harassment. According to court papers obtained by the Daily News, Ramery claims the station house was—shocker—"permeated with 'sexism' and other 'frat boy' type behavior."
The lunch area, for instance, was "filled with magazines depicting scantily clad women for the male detectives' sexual gratification." Ramery says she was often the target of lesbian jokes and insults. "I was told I was useless, worthless," she tells the News. "They didn't want me there." After she was injured responding to a robbery, Argiento allegedly told her she wouldn't be given more cases, and later she was moved to the graveyard shift. On another occasion, Argiento allegedly walked up to her and stimulated masturbation. But when Ramery complained to the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Argiento retired, and there was no action taken against him.
"These allegations are totally false. All of the things she described never happened," Argiento tells the News. He says Ramery was a slacker, and when on duty would leer at female prisoners. "She would make a catwalk out of it," Argiento says. "She would undress them with her eyes. It was very obvious. It actually made the males uncomfortable." And he also denies there were ever adult magazines in the lunch room, explaining that they were just "women's magazines and cooking magazines." Sounds totally plausible!
Tagged
cop
lawsuit
lesbian
nypd
sexual harassment
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.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .