New York Cop Allegedly Handcuffed and Frisked a Baby, Costing the City $25K In Lawsuit Settlement. Now She’s Running for Congress.

A former NYPD cop now running for congressional office was once sued for allegedly handcuffing an infant in an alleged “stop and frisk” in the child’s East Harlem apartment, according to a complaint filed in 2017. Republican candidate Alison Esposito is currently trying to unseat Rep. Pat Ryan in New York’s Hudson Valley congressional district, but in her previous life before politics, she spent 25 years on the force, working her way up to commanding officer in the 70th Precinct in Brooklyn. According to the complaint, Esposito and another officer were accused of illegally entering an apartment on 101st Street in 2016. Esposito and her colleague allegedly proceeded to “assault, frisk, handcuff, detain, arrest and imprison the infant Plaintiff, Rebecca Cuevas,” the complaint read. Alison Esposito is US congressional candidate for New York. (Photo: Facebook/Rita Pettinaro) The baby’s mother, Chantel Vazquez, claimed her daughter was harmed during the arrest and sought damages for “severe physical injuries, emotional and psychological distress, anguish, anxiety, and legal expenses,” and more. The case was ultimately settled out of court, with New York City paying the infant’s mother $25,000. A spokesperson for Esposito’s congressional campaign denied the allegations, claiming that “frivolous” lawsuits come with the...