Federal judge declines to dismiss lawsuit from Piegaro ’25 against University, case to move forward

On July 31, federal judge Zahid N. Quraishi issued an opinion mostly denying a motion to dismiss a civil lawsuit brought by David Piegaro ’25. The motion was jointly filed by Princeton University and Kenneth Strother, the University’s police chief, who are the defendants in the case. The ruling sends 12 of the 13 claims against the defendants to discovery, where the parties will gather evidence before a potential trial.

The lawsuit stems from an altercation between Piegaro and Strother that occurred during the 2024 Gaza Solidarity encampment. Piegaro was charged with simple assault and trespassing after the incident. In April 2025, he was found not guilty of simple assault while the trespassing charge was dropped earlier that year in February. Quraishi’s opinion allowed most of the claims Piegaro made to proceed.

“The well-reasoned decision allows David [Piegaro] to pursue accountability for the serious constitutional violations and injuries alleged in his complaint. We intend to vigorously pursue David’s rights in discovery,” Andrew L. Schwartz, Piegaro’s lead counsel, told The Daily Princetonian in a statement. Schwartz is representing Piegaro on behalf of the law firm Kasowitz. 

After protesters temporarily occupied Clio Hall on April 29, 2024, Piegaro attempted to record a conversation between Strother, the University’s assistant vice president for public safety, and two professors involved in the pro-Palestine protests outside Whig Hall. After Strother and the professors began to enter Whig Hall, he attempted to follow them. Strother then blocked him from entering; Piegaro alleges Strother pushed him down the stairs, while the University and Strother maintained that Piegaro had simply fallen. 

In July 2025, after he was tried and found not guilty for simple assault, Piegaro sued Strother and the University, alleging that Strother physically assaulted him. He sought monetary damages, an expungement of the University disciplinary violations from his school record, and a public apology for his treatment. In December, the University formally filed a motion to dismiss the case.

“On a motion to dismiss, courts do not rule on the merits of the case. Instead, courts determine whether the complaint, as written, asserts a viable legal claim,” University spokesperson Jennifer Morrill said in a statement to the ‘Prince.’ “Under this framework, courts accept the plaintiff’s factual allegations in the complaint as true, even if the defendant asserts that such allegations will ultimately be disproven at trial.” 

“In this case, a claim against the University was dismissed and the parties will now litigate the remaining claims, and they will be adjudicated on the merits. The University intends to defend the matter vigorously,” she added. Piegaro’s claim of assault and battery by the University was dismissed, while his claim of assault and battery by Strother was allowed to proceed.

Strother declined to comment to the ‘Prince.’

The docket suggests that, if approved, the discovery period would take place, which could continue through next year, during which the parties will exchange documents and records relevant to the complaints.

Luke Grippo is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from South Jersey, and typically covers the state of higher education, University affairs, and state politics. He can be reached at luke.grippo[at]dailyprincetonian.com.

Cynthia Torres is a senior News writer and Archives contributor. She is from New Bedford, Mass. and can be reached at ctorres[at]dailyprincetonian.com.

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com. 

Editor’s note: A previous version of the headline of this article stated that the judge denied the University’s motion to dismiss the case. While the judge has declined to dismiss the case, the judge partially granted the motion by allowing the dismissal of one of the 13 claims. A previous version of this article stated that the motion was filed by the University. The article has been updated to clarify that the motion was jointly filed with Strother.

A correction was made Aug. 24, 2026: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the University and Strother moved to dismiss Piegaro’s suit almost three months after it was filed. In fact, the motion was filed more than four months after the initial filing of the suit. The ‘Prince’ regrets this error.