By Graham Rayman, December 9, 2023
“A former top Correction Department investigator’s allegations that ex-Correction Commissioner Louis Molina sought to undermine outside oversight of the city’s jails “raise significant and serious concerns,” says the federal monitor tracking violence and use of force at Rikers Island and other city lockups.
The allegations by former Associate Deputy Commissioner of Investigations Ruben Benitez were detailed in a report Tuesday in the Daily News, which had obtained the notice of claim he filed with the city Comptroller’s office.
Benitez was demoted by Molina, and says in the notice of claim that his salary was slashed by $40,000.
In a letter filed Friday in Manhattan Federal Court, the monitor, Steve Martin, said Benitez is “a well-respected and seasoned leader who has been an integral part of the Department’s reform effort.”
Benitez claims that Molina gave orders meant to obstruct the efforts of Martin and his staff, and that Molina and a former top aide tried to block the city Department of Investigation from doing its job probing corruption.
Benitez says he resisted those orders and reported them — actions that led Molina to retaliate by demoting him Sept. 5 to a post checking job applicants.”