Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
After Alleged Flashing And Sexting, Cop Files $30 Million Sexual Harassment Suit
By
Garth Johnston
Published Aug 16, 2012
Modified Aug 16, 2012
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 .
StudeioNewmarket / shutterstock
By
Garth Johnston
Published Aug 16, 2012
Modified Aug 16, 2012
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
Back in 2010, NYPD officer Shemalisca Vasquez accused a lieutenant in the Transit Task Force where she worked of wanton sexual harassment. According to Vasquez, Lt. Ruben Caban exposed himself to her at work and, as if that wasn't enough, deluged her with photos of penises, women fellating penises, one of a penis next to banana with the message "Take a look and compare size" and other suggestive sexts like "I wish was was strapped to ur leg after seeing you in those tights. LOL." Now, two years later, Vasquez has filed a $30 million sexual harassment suit.
"She was subjected to a hostile work environment and looks forward to her day in court," Vasquez's lawyer, Eric Sanders, told the News of the filing. According to the suit, Vasquez wasn't just subjected to meat-and-greets from her superior as well as dirty pictures and messages, but also repeatedly offered "sex in exchange for preferred assignments and signing her requests for days off."
In 2010 Vasquez's claims were investigated by both the Bronx district attorney and NYPD's internal affairs but no criminal charges were filed. At the time, the Internal Affairs investigation particularly upset Vasquez, as when she went in for a meeting with them, she discovered "a refrigerator magnet of a monkey eating a banana in the office of the Bronx IAB's commanding officer where she was being interviewed." Never trust someone with a banana magnet.
Tagged
lawsuit
nypd
sexual harrassment
shemalisca vasquez
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
Mid-October through mid-December is deer mating season, which can be a danger to drivers as the sex-seeking creatures cross roadways throughout the Garden State.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 4:22 p.m. ET
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
News
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
Inside the plan to fix the nearly collapsed Pfizer Building, 1/64th of an inch at a time
By
David Brand
School bus carrying autistic students got lost in Brooklyn for 4 hours last year
By
Jessica Gould
NYC’s bridges can last 'forever,' if we take care of them
By
Clayton Guse
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 .