An Asian technician working for the NYPD claims she suffered two years of severe sexual and racial harassment from two male officers. This disturbing allegation is detailed in a recent lawsuit.
Megan Kwan, who depends on hearing aids and lip-reading to communicate, stated in documents filed in Manhattan that her ordeal escalated to a horrifying incident where one of the officers pointed a loaded gun at her inside the NYPD headquarters after she repeatedly rejected their advances.
“What I endured was incredibly degrading, and it’s hard to articulate,” Kwan shared.
“To make matters worse, those who were supposed to protect me just laughed or looked the other way. I kept wishing someone would step in, but no one did.”
Kwan began her journey with the police department as an intern in 2021 and transitioned to a full-time civilian role in IT in 2025.
The harassment reportedly commenced when Officer Quilbuvio Espinal joined her cybersecurity team in 2024, according to her complaint.
“He continuously expressed his desire for an ‘Asian wife,’ referred to her as ‘baby mama,’ bragged about his ‘Asian fetish,’ and sent a series of pornographic and racist videos, including one that mocked a deaf woman during sex,” Kwan’s attorney, John Scola, reported.
Sgt. Jason Valentin, who was Espinal’s supervisor, allegedly participated in the harassment as well.
Kwan claims in her suit that the officers inundated her with vulgar racial and sexual messages, disturbing videos that ridiculed her hearing impairment, and demands for nude photos.
The court documents revealed that Valentin sent her “at least one” explicit photo of himself.
One of the emails Kwan received included a remark about doing sit-ups in private, which related to oral sex, according to the complaint.
Espinal also allegedly proposed a threesome involving his wife. Valentin further pressured Kwan for sexual encounters.
The situation worsened dramatically in March at the police headquarters when Espinal, who had faced disciplinary action, pointed a loaded gun at Kwan.
“When the gun was pointed at my face, it felt like time stood still,” Kwan explained.
“My only thought was that I might die right at my desk, never to see my loved ones again.”
That evening, Espinal was handcuffed and is now facing intimidation charges from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Kwan argues that the responses have been inadequate, especially noting that Valentin has received a promotion to lieutenant.
Espinal’s attorney dismissed the charges as “ridiculous, shameful, absurd, and completely frivolous.” Attempts to reach Valentin’s lawyer were unsuccessful.
The NYPD, also named in the lawsuit, reported that Espinal has been suspended with pay.
“Every part of this was preventable, and it has changed my life,” Kwan reflected.
“I share my story because no one should have to endure what I faced, and I refuse to feel ashamed of what was done to me.”
