Black New Yorkers’ ‘Gang’ Database Lawsuit Hits Pseudonym Snag

A federal judge in New York City has ruled that Black residents suing over inclusion in the city’s “Criminal Group Database” must reveal their identities so government lawyers can attack their purported class lawsuit.

After initially rejecting the formation of a class action alleging First, Fourth, and 14th Amendment violations, Eastern District of New York Judge Brian M. Cogan on Monday ordered the three class representatives to unmask and drop their “Adam Anderson,” “Bryan Bradley,” and “Chris Cooper” pseudonyms.

“Defendants are right that it is incredibly difficult to challenge class certification on adequacy grounds without knowing who the lead plaintiffs ...