The family of a man who was falsely imprisoned for 23 years is suing the city and the NYPD for $15 million.
David Ranta, 59, was convicted of the 1990 murder of a Williamsburg rabbi, but released in 2013 after an investigation revealed the lead detective had improperly handled his case. He was awarded $6.4 million from the city in an out-of-court settlement in February. Now, his ex-wife, son and daughter are suing for $15 million, naming the city, the NYPD, lead detective Louis Scarcella and the detective’s partner, Stephen Chmil, as defendants.
According to the suit, former wife Patricia, son Nicholas and daughter Priscilla were “deprived of their intimate familial relations with David Ranta,” and they were “branded as the family of a murderer.” The suit also claims that both Scarcella and Chmil coached witnesses that ultimately led to Ranta's false conviction. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office is currently conducting an investigation into 57 of now-retired Scarcella's murder convictions—last month, three more men convicted of decades-old murder charges were exonerated thanks to the D.A.'s probe.
The Rantas' attorney, Peter C. Dee, has not responded to request for comment.
Ranta initially filed a $150 million suit against the city, but was awarded the quick settlement by city comptroller Scott Stringer. Ranta's attorney says he plans to sue the state.
