NYPD officer sues captain for sexual harassment and retaliation

Maria Delacruz, a 33-year-old NYPD transit police officer, has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court alleging months of sexual harassment and retaliation by Captain Amanjeet Sandhu and Deputy Chief Steven Mauriello.

The lawsuit claims that after Sandhu took command of Transit District 1 in January 2023, he began making repeated sexually explicit comments regarding Delacruz’s body and expressed a desire to be her lover rather than her supervisor. Delacruz alleges that Sandhu frequently assigned her to serve as his driver and made crude remarks during these assignments.

Delacruz further alleges that the harassment created a hostile work environment, fueled by rumors and a lack of support from superiors. The suit claims that when she confronted Deputy Chief Mauriello regarding the rumors, he did not provide assistance. The legal action seeks unspecified damages against Sandhu, Mauriello, and the police commissioner.