Kasowitz Files Lawsuit Against Princeton University and its Chief of Police Alleging Violations of Jewish Student’s Civil Rights

Kasowitz has filed a civil rights complaint in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Princeton University and its Chief of Police, Kenneth Strother, Jr.  The action seeks justice for David Piegaro, a Jewish U.S. Army veteran and recent Princeton graduate, who was physically assaulted and falsely arrested by Chief Strother.
 
The complaint details a disturbing series of incidents during the height of pro-Hamas campus demonstrations.  On April 29, 2024, a protest took over Princeton’s campus, including campus buildings.  Mr. Piegaro alleges that as he attempted to record Chief Strother negotiating with activist representatives, Chief Strother grabbed Mr. Piegaro and dropped him down a flight of stone stairs, resulting in serious injuries.  Mr. Piegaro was then charged with multiple criminal offenses and banned from campus based on allegedly false information provided by Chief Strother.  Mr. Piegaro was acquitted at trial.

Mr. Piegaro’s complaint asserts that the defendants’ actions constitute serious violations of his federal and state constitutional rights.  Kasowitz is committed to vigorously pursuing this case to secure the justice Mr. Piegaro deserves.
 
The Kasowitz team representing Mr. Piegaro includes partner Andrew L. Schwartz and associates Andrew C. Bernstein, Emily A. Lowe, and Dana Simcox.