During the week of the incident, the New York City Commission on Human Rights launched an investigation of the interaction, and sent a letter to Amy Cooper requesting her cooperation. The commission has the power to fine violators of the law, award financial damages to victims, order training on the
New York City Human Rights Law, and order community service.
[28]
The Central Park Civic Association asked New York City Mayor
Bill de Blasio to ban Amy Cooper from the park.
[28] On July 6, 2020, the
Manhattan District Attorney (DA),
Cyrus Vance Jr., announced that Amy Cooper had been issued a
desk appearance ticket (an order to appear in
New York City Criminal Court) and charged with filing a false police report, a
misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail;
[29] lesser sentences could include
community service or counseling.
[30] She was scheduled for
arraignment on October 14.
[31] The Manhattan DA said in a statement: "We are strongly committed to holding perpetrators of this conduct accountable".
[32] In a
New York Times article published on July 7, 2020, Christian Cooper was quoted as saying that he is not cooperating with the Manhattan DA's investigation, stating that "Bringing her more misery just seems like piling on."
[33] The following week he expanded on his feelings in a
Washington Post op-ed piece, saying he was ambivalent about prosecuting her because "I think it’s a mistake to focus on this one individual. The important thing the incident highlights is the long-standing, deep-seated racial bias against us black and brown folk that permeates the United States."
[34]
In October 2020, during a court appearance for Amy Cooper, the
New York County District Attorney's prosecutors revealed there was a second 9-1-1 call made by a 911 dispatcher who called Ms. Cooper back. This court appearance was the first time the existence of the second 9-1-1 call had been made public.
[8][35][36] Amy Cooper was in court facing charges of filing a false report, which is punishable by up to one year in jail.
[9] In February 2021, charges against Amy Cooper were dropped after she completed a five-session educational and therapeutic program focused on
racial identity.
[37]
On May 25, 2021, Amy Cooper sued Franklin Templeton for wrongful termination.
[38][39] She claimed the firing had violated several anti-discrimination and defamation laws. Amy Cooper's lawsuit characterized Christian Cooper as "a birdwatcher with a history of aggressively confronting dog owners in Central Park who walked their dogs without a leash. It was Christian Cooper's practice and intent to cause dog owners to be fearful for their safety and the safety of their dogs..."
[40] Franklin Templeton said "We believe ... the company responded appropriately. We will defend against these baseless claims."
[41][42] In August 2021, the company requested that the lawsuit be dismissed.
[43]
