Mark G. Peters, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the re-arrest of a New York City Department of Homeless Services (“DHS”) Housing Specialist on charges
that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a shelter resident at the Auburn Family Shelter in Brooklyn. The DHS
employee was previously arrested in December 2017 for similar conduct against two female shelter residents.
Those cases are pending before the New York City Criminal Court. The office of the Brooklyn District Attorney
Eric Gonzalez is prosecuting each of these cases, including the additional charges.
DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters said, “This City Homeless Services employee abused his power and
authority on multiple occasions and violated the safety and security of vulnerable shelter residents, according to
the charges. For a second time DOI is arresting this individual for his alleged behavior, and we will continue to
make arrests where City employees engage in this kind of indefensible misconduct.”
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “The victims in these cases had a right to feel safe and
secure at the homeless shelter where this defendant was employed. Instead, he allegedly used his position to
prey upon them. We stand committed to obtaining justice for all of the women who were allegedly targeted by
him.”
CLYDE JOHNSON, 54, of Queens, N.Y., was re-arrested and charged on Friday, February 2, 2018,
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.
JOHNSON was previously arrested by DOI on December 4, 2017, for similar conduct against two
shelter residents, with two instances also taking place at the Auburn Family Shelter.
JOHNSON has worked for DHS as a Community Coordinator and Housing Specialist since July 2015
and earns an annual salary of approximately $57,916. DHS has suspended JOHNSON.
According to the criminal complaint and DOI’s investigation, the charged incident took place in August
2017 inside of the Auburn Family Shelter, 39 Auburn Place. In this incident, JOHNSON allegedly touched a
female shelter resident inappropriately. This woman is the third Auburn Place shelter resident to accuse Johnson
of sexual misconduct.
DOI Commissioner Peters thanked Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services Steven
Banks and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, 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.
