Anthony Elia

In a victory for journalist Leonard Levitt, the NYPD settled its case with him and has agreed to turn over all the documents Levitt requested in his 2007 Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.  Levitt made the request to learn who has received press passes from the NYPD.  Moreover, as part of the settlement the NYPD agreed to reimburse Levitt’s attorneys $6,655.00 for bringing the court case.

Len Levitt has covered the NYPD for decades – for 10 years at Newsday, where he wrote a column called “One Police Plaza Confidential” that often highlighted police corruption, brutality or inefficiency. He has written half a dozen books, most recently an in-depth analysis of the Martha Moxley murder.  He currently reports and writes about the police for his web site, www.NYPDConfidential.com.

It’s clear he’s a well-qualified journalist. But the NYPD doesn’t seem to think so. He was denied a renewal of his press pass in 2007.

The fact is, the NYPD just doesn’t like Leonard Levitt.  Over the years his writing has put him at odds with police brass.  On two occasions in the last few years, the NYPD has attempted to block Levitt from police headquarters– a remarkable move, considering police headquarters is a public building.    

Levitt is fighting the pre-textual denial.  Early last year, he filed a Freedom of Information Law request under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) demanding documents revealing the names and qualifications of every person holding a NYPD press pass – in an effort to understand who the NYPD deems “qualified.”  The NYPD refused to turn over the documents.

Early this month, with the help of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Levitt filed a lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court to compel the NYPD to turn over the documents.  The case is scheduled for an initial court date on March 31, 2008 and is captioned, New York Civil Liberties Union and Leonard Levitt v. New York City Police Department and Raymond Kelly, New York County Supreme Court, Index # 102720/2008.