DOI INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST OF CITY SANITATION SUPERVISOR AND LIFEGUARD ON CHARGES OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

  Mark G. Peters, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today the arrest of a Department of Sanitation (“DSNY”) Supervisor and Department of Parks and Recreation (“DPR”) Lieutenant Lifeguard on charges that he inappropriately touched his subordinate on two occasions while working at a pool in Manhattan. The investigation began after an employee at DPR alerted DOI to the alleged conduct. The Office of New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., is prosecuting the case. 

  Commissioner Mark G. Peters said, “This alleged conduct serves as yet another disturbing reminder that unwanted sexual advances can happen anywhere and to anyone. DOI encourages people who feel that they’ve been victimized by a City employee, or have potentially witnessed such inappropriate conduct, to come forward and report these incidents. Forcible sexual behavior has no place in government, and no place in New York City.”

 FRANCISCO LORENZO, 44, of the Bronx, N.Y., was arrested today and charged with Forcible Touching, a class A misdemeanor, Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor, and Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation. Upon conviction, a class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year’s incarceration, a class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to three months’ incarceration, and a violation is punishable by up to fifteen days’ incarceration. 

 LORENZO began working at DSNY in October 1999 and receives an annual base salary of $98,370. LORENZO has also worked as a Lieutenant Lifeguard seasonally since 1990, making $23.16 per hour, and received an annual salary of $18, 492 in 2017. LORENZO was suspended by DPR on September 2, 2017 after the alleged incidents occurred. DOI has notified DSNY of LORENZO’s arrest.

 According to the criminal complaint, on September 1, 2017 and September 2, 2017, while working at the Asser Levy Pool on East 23rd Street in Manhattan, LORENZO allegedly inappropriately touched a 24-year old lifeguard without his consent. 

 Commissioner Peters thanked New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., and his staff for their partnership on this investigation. Commissioner Peters also thanked DPR Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver and DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, and their staffs, for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation.

A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.