Anthony Barbato, of Islip Terrace, files $65M lawsuit against Suffolk police, alleging civil rights violations

Suffolk police assaulted and falsely arrested a municipal contractor who had attempted to aid his son after a hit-and-run driver struck the son’s car and another vehicle, according to a federal lawsuit filed this week.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, said Suffolk police violated the civil rights of Anthony Barbato, of Islip Terrace, during the Jan. 23, 2025, incident. The run-in with officers left Barbato with severe emotional and physical pain, including a broken rib and a torn meniscus, the complaint said.

Two of the officers shoved Barbato from behind so hard that he was knocked to the ground, "like being hit by an NFL linebacker," the lawsuit said.

"In this situation, Mr. Barbato, who is a ‘back-the-blue’ guy, was very upset and very surprised at the treatment he was subjected to," said Barbato’s attorney, Hempstead civil rights lawyer Frederick K. Brewington. "He is looking for justice in a situation where he was treated unfairly."

The lawsuit, which seeks $65 million in damages, named Suffolk County, Suffolk police, Sgt. Christopher Stokes and Officer Anthony Fusco as defendants. Suffolk police declined to comment, saying the department can’t discuss pending litigation. Suffolk Police Benevolent Association president Lou Civello also declined to comment.

Representatives of Suffolk County and the Suffolk Superior Officers Association did not return requests for comment.

According to the lawsuit, Barbato arrived at his office in Holbrook on the morning he was arrested and spotted an unfamiliar white Jeep Grand Cherokee in the parking lot.

Barbato’s son, Louis Barbato, arrived at the office shortly after and approached the Jeep to see if the driver needed assistance. The driver did not respond, and Louis Barbato called the police, the court papers said. Barbato stepped out of the building and saw the Jeep ram into his son’s car and a vehicle that belonged to one of his employees.

Louis Barbato, who was in the car when it was hit, followed the motorist and flagged down a police officer when the motorist stopped. Louis Barbato asked his father to get his car so he could be treated for injuries sustained in the crash, the court papers said.

Barbato and his wife Debra Barbato reached their son, and Stokes arrived soon after. Barbato tried to explain that the driver of the Jeep had rammed two vehicles in his parking lot, but the officers ordered Barbato to get out of the road and onto the lawn of a nearby home. While walking away, the lawsuit said, one of the officers shoved Barbato.

"The force was both unprovoked and unexpected, and caused plaintiff to go flying face forward into the ground that has approximately an inch of snow on it," the lawsuit alleged. "In going forward, the plaintiff's front of his body came into contact with the ground causing him to strike his face, nose, chin, arms, belly and knees, making Plaintiff experience pain that radiated throughout his body."

Barbato was in "excruciating" pain and believed he was suffering from a heart attack. He asked for an ambulance three times. After the third request, he was arrested.

Barbato and his son were put in an ambulance and taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment. Fusco tossed a summons at Barbato, according to the complaint, and told him he would see him in court. He then turned to Louis Barbato, said "have fun with Internal Affairs Bureau," and left.

According to the lawsuit, only a fraction of the complaints filed with the IAB are substantiated. Barbato was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment. The charges will be dismissed on July 9 if he is not arrested before then.