Port Authority officials denied any misconduct, but the practice of entrapping people in public bathrooms has been common for years. Mejia,” Molly Griffard, an attorney for The Legal Aid Society, which represented the plaintiffs, said in a statement. “This kind of blatant homophobia has no place in policing, and the reforms achieved in this lawsuit aim to safeguard against future abuses like the ones experienced and challenged by Mr. Holden and Mejia were cleared of all charges according to the Associated Press. Both claimed they were falsely accused by officers of masturbating while standing at urinals in Port Authority Bus Terminal restrooms. The lawsuit named Cornell Holden and Miguel Mejia, who were both charged with public lewdness.
As part of the settlement, new recruits to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department will also receive LGBTQ sensitivity training for the next three years.
