Gross Shuman P.C. Secures Legal Victory for City of Lackawanna

March 6, 2026

Gross Shuman P.C. attorney Tabita J. Saraj recently secured a major legal win for the City of Lackawanna in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York.

Ms. Saraj represented the City of Lackawanna in defense of multiple police officers accused of wrongdoing during an arrest that took place in 2022. The plaintiff claimed several violations of his rights occurred during the arrest including false imprisonment; illegal search of his premises; unlawful depravation of property; battery; private nuance; and trespass.

After two years of investigations, depositions, and court filings, on April 11, 2025, Ms. Saraj filed a motion for summary judgement in the case.

On March 4, 2026, more than four years after the arrest that led to filing of the civil lawsuit, Chief Justice of the United States District Court Judge Elizabeth Wolford granted Ms. Saraj’s request for summary judgement on behalf of the defendants. In a 32-page ruling, Judge Wolford cited a lack of any substantial evidence to support the allegations of illegal search of premises, saying, in part:  

Defendants entered the property for safety reasons, including to ensure that Plaintiff was not going to obtain a weapon. Plaintiff’s contradictory and illogical version of events is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact.

The decision ends a protracted legal battle and exonerates the police officers of any wrongdoing alleged in the lawsuit.

“We are pleased with the federal court’s decision,” Ms. Saraj said following the ruling.  “Our clients are dedicated public servants and, it was gratifying to clear their names of these allegations.”