Allegations Against DHS Executive

The captain of the Homeless Services Bureau is facing serious allegations, with claims that he raped an employee while she was intoxicated, demanded ongoing sexual favors, and even threatened her with a firearm, according to a lawsuit filed by the accuser.

Masha Kosivy, a DHS executive, is accusing her former boss, Miguel Martinez, of misconduct, alleging that he took advantage of her during a period in late 2022 when they both worked at the DHS office located on Randall’s Island. Her lawsuit was filed in a Manhattan federal court against the city and several individuals, including Martinez.

In court documents, Kosivy described a situation where “he slammed his fist against the table… and demanded that she drink multiple alcoholic beverages,” asserting that he insisted she keep drinking until she felt ill.

After allegedly forcing her to drink, Kosivy claimed that Martinez took her to her apartment where the assault occurred in the back seat of his car. It’s reported that after the incident, he instructed her to order him an Uber while taking her phone, as stated in the lawsuit.

Later, on December 7, 2022, Kosivy claimed to have reported the incident to a local police precinct, though a spokesperson for the NYPD said there were no records of such a report.

Meanwhile, the DHS officer is responsible for patrolling homeless shelters in NYC and receives training at the NYPD Police Academy. They are armed, but their authority is somewhat limited.

Martinez, who is now 50, reportedly asserted that Kosivy had sex with him weekly at his home in the Bronx and even claimed he displayed a gun during their encounters to intimidate her.

In the lawsuit, it’s alleged that during Kosivy’s initial visit to his residence, he threatened her with the gun, warning her to “be careful” not to upset him.

The lawsuit portrays Martinez as abusing his position of authority, saying he made demands on her as her superior, leveraging her probationary status in order to settle his sexual requests.

Kosivy is seeking unspecified damages as a result of these events.

According to a DHS spokesperson, Martinez’s employment ended in February 2024, though he did not comment on the pending lawsuit. The spokesperson noted that the agency takes allegations seriously and collaborates fully with investigative bodies to affirm the facts and ensure swift action when necessary.

Meanwhile, the city’s legal department has opted not to make a statement, and attempts to reach Martinez for comment have been unsuccessful.