By:  Hal C Clarke

An NYPD doctor, Dr. John Santucci, who has faced repeated accusations of mistreating officers on sick leave, is now facing new allegations in court papers. Santucci according to reports in the NY Post, has been accusing officers of faking their medical conditions.

Officer Luis Montes, who works in Transit District 20, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Santucci, an NYPD Deputy Chief affiliated with NYU Langone, bullied him for taking leave due to health issues, including recurrent thyroid cancer and a torn ankle injury sustained on duty.

Montes, a 34-year veteran of the force, revealed that he was compelled to see Santucci monthly from October 2020 onwards after being placed on restricted duty. This came as a result of multiple health concerns, including thyroid cancer and the ankle injury. In the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Montes detailed how Santucci belittled his cancer diagnosis and accused him of feigning his ankle injury. Santucci allegedly stated that the cancer wasn’t serious and that it wasn’t a valid reason to miss work.

Luis Montes emphasized Santucci’s lack of empathy and harsh demeanor, describing him as a “tyrant” who disregarded the recommendations of treating doctors and pressured officers to return to work prematurely. Despite the medical evidence supporting Montes’ health issues, Santucci allegedly attempted to force him back to work immediately after sick leave, leaving Montes feeling stressed and powerless.

Montes’ battle with health challenges has been ongoing. Diagnosed with stage-four thyroid cancer in 2017, he underwent procedures to remove numerous cancerous lymph nodes. Although the cancer went into remission, it returned in 2023, causing lesions and scar tissue in his throat, which made swallowing difficult. Montes also suffered a severe ankle injury in January 2021, requiring two surgeries and leaving him with chronic pain and mobility issues.

Even after an MRI vindicated Montes and necessitated a second surgery, Santucci allegedly persisted in doubting the officer’s injuries. Montes stressed the need for proper healing time yet faced pressure to return to work prematurely. He also mentioned intrusive check-ins by the NYPD to verify his sick leave.

The lawsuit further revealed that Montes sought assistance for heart rate issues, but Santucci allegedly dismissed his concerns, exacerbating his frustration. Montes recounted instances of being closely monitored by the NYPD during his sick leave, including calls to his wife and surprise visits from officers at the hospital.

Montes not only criticized Santucci’s mistreatment but also highlighted the NYPD’s lack of accommodation for officers with health issues. Despite battling cancer, he was assigned to the transit unit in the subway, a challenging environment. Montes expressed feeling trapped in his role until retirement eligibility.

In the lawsuit, Montes’ lawyer, John Scola, criticized the NYPD for failing to accommodate disabled employees, despite having desk jobs available. Other officers have also sued Santucci over alleged mistreatment during their medical leaves.

Chris Monahan, president of the Captain’s Endowment Association, which Santucci belongs to, defended the doctor’s actions, stating that officers on extended sick leave are evaluated by an independent medical board to determine fitness for duty.

Officer Edward Donzelli also filed a $5 million claim against the city, alleging harassment by Santucci. Both the city Law Department and the NYPD declined to comment on the ongoing legal matters. Santucci did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations.