A New York City police officer has reached a $175,000 settlement with the city in a lawsuit that highlighted the law’s use. “courtesy cards” that officers hand out to friends and family members to escape traffic stops and other minor violations, according to an agreement filed Monday in Manhattan federal court.
The deal ends a lawsuit filed last year by agent Mathew Bianchi, in which he claimed he was punished by his superiors for disrespecting the cards, although the settlement itself does not make any substantive changes to how the cards used by NYPD officers.
The laminated cards, which typically bear an image of an NYPD badge and the name of one of the city’s police unions, are not officially recognized by police but have long been considered a perk of the job.
The city’s police unions issue them to members, who distribute them to those who want to reveal their connections to the NYPD — often to avoid minor infractions such as speeding or not wearing a seat belt.
Bianchi said his opinion of the courtesy cards has not changed. The 40-year-old officer from Staten Island said there needs to be more oversight over how many of the cards are distributed to officers and better protections for those who speak out against their misuse.
“It is a form of corruption,” he said by phone on Tuesday. “My approach to how I deal with them won’t change, even if a boss tries to punish me. I’m still going there and I’m going to do exactly what I think is right.
Bianchi’s attorney John Scola said he hoped the officer’s efforts would inspire others in the department to come forward as whistleblowers.
“Officer Bianchi showed remarkable courage in standing up to the NYPD and doing what was right despite significant risks to his career,” he said.
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration confirmed the settlement terms but declined to comment further.
“Resolving this matter was in the best interests of all parties,” Legal Department spokesman Nicholas Paolucci wrote in an email Tuesday.
In his lawsuit filed last year, Bianchi alleged that current and retired officers have access to hundreds of cards and give them away in exchange for a discount on a meal or a home improvement job.
He also claimed he was repeatedly reprimanded for writing tickets to officers’ friends and families, even after they presented a courtesy card.
The final straw came when he issued a ticket in the summer of 2022 to a driver who turned out to be a friend of the NYPD’s top uniformed officer, Chief Jeffrey Maddrey. Bianchi said he was immediately fired from his job with the department. traffic unit and relegated to night patrol duties.
Police declined to comment and deferred questions to the legal department.
The Police Benevolent Association, the NYPD’s largest police union, did not respond to an email seeking comment on Tuesday. The city’s police unions have been dealing with this for a long time strict supervision about the cards because of the appearance of corruption and their appearance for sale on eBay.
Bianchi said Tuesday that he has since been moved to a day shift, but his efforts to advance his career have been limited by the lawsuit.
“I’ve literally applied for almost everything since I’ve been moved back, and they’ve denied me for everything,” he said. “They’re not very secretive about why, and I’ve had supervisors tell me why I can’t go anywhere.”
But the nine-year veteran of the force said he doesn’t regret filing the lawsuit.
“I’m glad I didn’t miss out on punishment and retribution,” he said. “I’m glad I did something.”
