| PRESS RELEASE: ‘Justice Denied’ Disabled Father Faces Sentencing on August 27, As Prosecutors Deny Growing Evidence of Police Misconduct Despite Disabled Dad’s Senate Commendation Award and Newly-Revealed Patterns of Police Malfeasance, Westchester DA Still Seeking Sentence for 2018 Alleged Misdemeanor Disability Advocate’s Case Reveals Harrowing Public Threat of Unchecked Police Misconduct |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2025 Media Contact: press@james-christopher.com WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — On this Thursday, August 28, Marc Fishman, a disabled father of four and civil rights advocate, is being sentenced for a 2018 misdemeanor, despite newly-surfaced exonerating evidence, alongside years of federal and state courtroom battles providing reasonable doubt, says Mr. Fishman and several civil rights groups. During a series of recent high-profile interviews, the disability rights advocate shared his story, and called on the Governor to recuse his case. Surveillance footage and deposition testimony reveal the arresting officer, Lane Schlesinger, admitted: “Mr. Fishman didn’t intend to commit a crime and didn’t commit a crime.” Yet prosecutors withheld this evidence during trial — violating New York’s discovery obligations. While Mr. Fishman has been prohibited from seeing his children for over 7 years, the former New Rochelle Police Department Officer (NRPD) Officer Lan Schlesinger has left the force after being ousted in a misconduct report by the New York State Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office (LEMIO), The 2024 LEMIO Report cites over 40 verified civilian complaints for the NRPD Officer, including falsified reports — none of which were disclosed to Mr. Fishman’s defense. The Cost of Disability Discrimination Fishman is a survivor of chronic health issues — including traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, multiple neurostimulator implants, and more than 24 surgeries — all while successfully fighting against denial of ADA accommodations by Westchester County’s Family Courts, and being awarded a State Senate Commendation. “New York continues to prosecute people based on the word of officers the state itself has proven to be dishonest,” Fishman this week told the Sal Greco Show. “If the police can lie and the courts don’t care, none of us are safe.” A investigative article from the G‑Man Report noted: “He’s being sentenced … for a 2018 misdemeanor that court records and newly uncovered surveillance footage show he did not commit.” |
| Championing Organizations Joining In “I know that my advocacy alone is not enough, Disability Rights New York, the state’s official Protection & Advocacy agency, is just one of several organizations that has recognized my efforts as a father and disabled rights champion,” Mr. Fishman added – with the same letter warning that denying accommodations causes “irreparable harm to the relationship between parent and child.” Why It MattersFishman’s case isn’t isolated — it reveals:Police misconduct being hidden, even when proven.Courts violating federal disability law, punishing rather than accommodating.Denial of justice for vulnerable New Yorkers every day. Fishman is now facing sentencing for a crime he clearly did not commit — and “with no change, the precedent could affect countless others,” he says. “However, through collective advocacy, we can create the change we need to see.” What You Can Do Visit newrochellepoliceabuse.com for evidence, petitions, and ways to support Marc’s case. Amplify the story by sharing it online Urge your representatives to demand oversight of ADA compliance in courts — especially in Westchester — and transparency around law enforcement misconduct investigations. |
| For press inquiries, interview requests, or more information on the case, please contact: James Christopher Communications, LLC press@james-christopher.com |
New Rochelle Police Abuse 