A high-ranking Department of Correction official ordered the brutal beating of a Rikers Island inmate for giving him a dirty look, authorities alleged today.
Eliseo Perez Jr., who resigned as assistant chief of security rather than get demoted over the incident, was charged along with nine other correction officers — including two captains — in the attack on Jahmal Lightfoot and a subsequent cover-up last year.
Lightfoot, 28, was allegedly stomped by five jailers inside a cell at the maximum-security George R. Vierno Center on July 11, 2012.
He suffered multiple facial fractures, broken teeth and injuries to his testicles, according to lawyer Sanford Rubenstein, who’s representing Lightfoot in a $5 million claim against the city.
Authorities said Correction Officer Alfred Rivera falsely claimed that Lightfoot slashed him with a homemade knife to justify the beat-down.
Correction Captain Michael Pollard allegedly “prepared a sharp piece of metal wrapped with tape” the next day to use as evidence against Lightfoot, according to a 53-count Bronx Supreme Court indictment.
“These members of service who blindly followed an unlawful order and then attempted to conceal it betrayed their integrity and the city’s trust in them,” said Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn.
“The involvement of a ranking officer and supervisors responsible for security in the jail is of particular concern.”
Lightfoot is currently serving four years in an upstate slammer for a Bronx robbery.
Dozens of correction officers appeared in court to support the defendants, with union leader Norman Seabrook blasting the prosecution as a “witch hunt.”
“Absolutely we conducted ourselves professionally,” Seabrook said outside court before the arraignments.
“Was he restrained? Absolutely,” Seabrook said of Lightfoot. “Did he need to be restrained? Absolutely.”
Seabrook also blasted the lawyers representing Lightfoot and his family as “ambulance chasers,” adding: “Your son is a thug. Let’s not forget this.”
Lightfoot’s mom is expected to speak at a news conference later today.