Brooklyn Bar Owner Refused To Pay. Then The Cops Kept Coming, Lawsuit Alleges

BROOKLYN, NY— A Brooklyn bar owner has filed a $6 million federal lawsuit against the City, former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, his twin brother James Caban and several police officers, alleging a campaign of harassment drove his Coney Island business to close after he refused to pay James Caban to ease police enforcement.

Shamel Kelly, the former owner of Juice & Moore Bar, filed the lawsuit this week.

No one has been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Kelly’s allegations. The status of the federal investigation remains unclear.

The FBI raided homes and seized electronic devices belonging to James Caban and dozens of NYPD officials in September 2024, including then-Commissioner Caban. Edward Caban resigned later that month.

“The NYPD will decline comment on pending litigation,” an NYPD spokesperson said.

Edward Caban’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment. James Caban’s attorney, Emile Sayage, denied the allegations.

What Does Kelly Allege Happened?

Kelly opened Juice & Moore in June 2022.

Soon afterward, neighbors began filing 311 complaints about the bar, according to city data.

The NYPD received more than 80 complaints alleging “Loud Music/Party” conditions at the establishment since 2022, according to the Daily News.

Kelly’s lawsuit centers on an encounter with police in September 2022, when an officer confronted him as he unloaded items outside the bar and demanded proof that he owned the property.

According to the lawsuit, officers told Kelly:

“You do not own these streets; we own these streets; we are the NYPD.”

The officers then threatened enforcement action and issued Kelly a summons for an illegal U-turn. A court later dismissed the summons, according to the lawsuit.

Kelly subsequently filed a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

After the complaint, officers from the 60th Precinct repeatedly appeared outside Juice & Moore, often in groups, without issuing summonses or violations, according to the lawsuit.

The NYPD Raided The Bar, Lawsuit States

The NYPD raided the establishment in April and June 2023, according to the lawsuit.

In August 2023, Kelly was referred to Ray Martin, a longtime nightlife adviser to then-Mayor Eric Adams, according to the lawsuit.

Martin allegedly directed Kelly to James Caban, the police commissioner’s twin brother.

Kelly alleges that James Caban offered to resolve his problems with the NYPD in exchange for money and requested an initial payment of $2,500.

Kelly refused.

According to the lawsuit, James Caban then warned him that the bar would not remain open much longer.

How Often Did Police Visit The Bar?

After Kelly refused to pay, NYPD visits allegedly increased. The lawsuit states officers sometimes arrived by the dozens, with more than 10 police vehicles outside the business.

Kelly estimates that officers visited the bar more than 60 times.

Juice & Moore closed permanently in November 2023.

Kelly also alleges that Edward Caban, before leaving office, cleared officers accused of misconduct during the April 2023 raid.

The lawsuit names the City, both Caban brothers and several NYPD officers as defendants. Kelly’s attorneys, Harry Daniels and Bernarda Villalona, are seeking $6 million in damages.

Martin was later fired by the City after Kelly came forward, according to the lawsuit.