Thread by @Jose_Pagliery

(THREAD)

Two years ago last week, a government-funded shelter for undocumented immigrant kids discovered that one of its staff members sexually abused a child.

This was never made public.

We just exposed it.

univision.com/local/nueva-yo…

1/x

The crime and the subsequent investigation all proceeded in secret. Documents related to this incident are marked “CONFIDENTIAL.”

I know this, because I have them.

2/x

My journey started at the federal courthouse in May. I discovered a case in which an undocumented kid was begging to be freed by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

In the lawsuit, it mentions that the boy was sexually assaulted at the MercyFirst shelter on July 1, 2017.

3/x

When I left the courthouse, I got my phone back and searched for mentions of crimes at that shelter. I couldn’t find any news of this incident in that time frame.

How could this remain under wraps? I decided to dig further.

4/x

The boy’s ex-lawyer wouldn’t respond. Law enforcement wouldn’t release any info. Then someone (thank you for being brave) whispered a name in my ear: "Miguel Cutignola."

I looked him up in public court records, except… so much of the publicly available info seemed wrong.

5/x

The publicly available court docket only offers vague details. The date was wrong. But I took a train anyway and went to the courthouse on Long Island.

The next few hours were crucial.

6/x

Someone at jail told me Cutignola spent a night there & posted bail. She gasped when looking at the file.

"Any more details?"
"No, I can't."

I tried to confirm 3 addresses for the guy. She "confirmed" a 4th address.

"But I didn't say--"
"Have a nice day."

7/x

Armed with that address, I was able to dig deep into the guy's social media history. I began to develop a portrait of this person: employment, friends, activity. It gave me the background I needed for the next step.

8/x

Nassau County clerk denied me access to the criminal court file, b/c sex crime cases are "confidential" in NY.

I asked her to review it for any mention of "MercyFirst." As she scanned 100+ pages at her desk, I stared at her lips.

"MercyFirst," she whispered to herself.

9/x

The clerk called her supervisor.

"I can't give him this page. But can I give him another one if it appears there?" The supervisor shook her head.

The clerk walked back over to me. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

"Actually, I think you can," I replied.

10/x

I ordered a single sheet in the file -- the arrest summary. It would list Cutignola's employment, maybe.

Hence this previously cryptic tweet. (Remember this, @simko_bednarski @SarahLJorgensen @RobertKuntz @debdake @briantorri @_rshapiro ?)

https://twitter.com/Jose_Pagliery/status/1139576102404395015

11/x

In reality, the doc was confusing! It listed the suspect as a "server" at "Mamas." No MercyFirst. Doubt creeped in.

I asked for the name of the court reporter who covered the most recent hearing in the case.

Stopped by her office. She's in court. I go there - and wait.

12/x

Court adjourned. I offered to buy the transcript for a recent hearing. We went to her office, and she read page 13:

"Prosecutor.. were you an employee at MercyFirst located at 525 Convent Rd, Syosset, Nassau County, NY? Defendant... yes."

"How much?" I asked.

$70. Deal.

13/x

With that confirmation, I knew to focus 100% of my energy at digging deeper.

I obtained a redacted copy of the case file, which included Cutignola's guilty plea.

Plea in hand, we conducted a stakeout & paid him a visit at home.

I confronting the youth counselor who preyed on this boy. He drove off in a hurry.

I wrote my report based entirely on court documents & prayed the victim's family would call me back. I left dozens of messages on answering machines and FB accounts. Weeks went by. Nothing.

15/x

Then at 3pm while on another assignment, I got a call from Omaha, Nebraska. I knew this was it before I even picked up.

It was the boy's aunt, and she was furious. She said she had no idea the man who abused her nephew would avoid prison. She was willing to speak.

16/x

What you see here is the result of some luck, a lot of work, & good people who felt compelled to nudge me in the right direction.

To those who shall remain nameless, thank you.

This man is scheduled to be sentenced July 23. I'll be there.

univision.com/local/nueva-yo…

17/x

And to the dozen other undocumented kids in New York whose attackers' cases remain "confidential" and escape public scrutiny, my job here isn't done.

I'm going to find your abusers, and I will expose them.

18/18
</thread>