Red Light Racket Exposed: Suffolk County Drivers to Get $91M Refunded, Program Scrapped

Suffolk County has reached a significant $57.5 million settlement, bringing an end to a decade-long legal dispute regarding administrative fees illegally added to millions of red-light camera tickets. From 2013 to 2023, the county levied an extra $30 administrative fee on top of the standard $50 base fine for each violation. This practice was challenged and, two years prior, an appeals court declared these additional fees unlawful, citing a clear violation of state law that capped red-light camera ticket costs at $50, plus a $25 late fee.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, which was recently made public, affected drivers are eligible for reimbursement of up to $36 per ticket. This amount comprises the $30 illegal fee plus $6 in interest. However, the final reimbursement amount per driver may vary, potentially decreasing, depending on the total number of drivers who successfully apply for compensation. Suffolk County has committed to allocating up to $45 million directly to drivers, in addition to covering the administrative expenses of the reimbursement program and paying $12.5 million to the plaintiff’s legal team.

David Raimondo, one of the plaintiff’s lawyers, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it was a "hard-fought litigation for 10 years." He emphasized their pleasure that Suffolk County ticket holders would now have the opportunity to reclaim the fees they had unjustly paid. Newsday, which initially broke the story, has sought a comment from Suffolk County regarding the settlement.

The process for reimbursement requires drivers to actively apply to receive their funds. Kroll Settlement Administration, a private contractor, has been tasked with managing this process. Their efforts will include sending out mailers to drivers identified as having paid the camera tickets and launching a social media campaign to ensure eligible drivers are well-informed about the claims procedure.

Investigations by Newsday through public records requests previously revealed that Suffolk County had collected approximately $91 million in these illegal fees over the ten-year period. Given that the county's liability for reimbursing drivers is capped at roughly half that amount, including interest, each driver might receive closer to $18 per ticket if every eligible individual were to apply. Raimondo, however, considers it improbable that all eligible drivers will make a claim, attributing this to various factors such as individuals having moved or passed away, businesses having closed, or some drivers having written off these expenses.

The settlement documents indicate that Kroll anticipates a "direct notice will likely reach 90%" of those eligible for a refund. Notably, the agreement includes a clause where Suffolk County makes no admission of fault, a provision that could offer protection against future lawsuits. The agreement was formally signed by County Attorney Christopher J. Clayton, Chad A. Lupinacci (executive director of the traffic court), as well as Raimondo, his legal partner Kevin Landau, and the lead plaintiff, Robert McGrath. A meeting with Judge David T. Reilly is scheduled for the final judicial approval of the settlement.

Addressing the $12.5 million allocated to his firm and the other plaintiff’s attorneys, Raimondo commented, "I don't think anybody could honestly complain" about the sum. He justified the amount by highlighting the extensive decade of litigation, asserting that their work not only prevented Suffolk County residents from incurring the fee going forward but also played a crucial role in the ultimate termination of the entire red-light camera program in Suffolk County.

Suffolk County officially ceased its red-light camera program on December 1, 2024, shortly after losing the critical appeals court ruling, although some of the camera equipment and signage remains in place. In contrast, neighboring Nassau County, which had also imposed illegal fees of $100 per ticket until 2024, is still contesting its red-light camera ticket case in court. Despite the appeals court’s ruling, Nassau County argues it should not be compelled to repay drivers. Nassau County stopped charging a $45 "public safety fee" and a $55 "driver responsibility fee" on camera tickets after the appeals court ruling but continues to operate its red-light camera program, now adhering to the legal limits of a $50 base fine plus a $25 late fee.