By C1 Staff
NEW YORK — Rikers Island inmates are claiming in a federal lawsuit that they were sickened by meatloaf spiked with rat poison.
The NY Daily News reports that inmates also claim that correctional officers have been trying to seize samples of the tainted meatloaf to hide what’s inside it.
The incident came directly after the facility was on lockdown following the sexual assault of a female officer.
The lawsuit alleges “blue and green pellets” were found in the meatloaf.
The lawyer representing the inmates, Joann Squillace, said that the inmates were told by Department of Corrections medical personnel that the pellets were rat poison.
They are currently seeking a court order for emergency testing of not only the meatloaf, but also blood tests of the sickened inmates to determine whether they need further treatment.
The DOC had no immediate comment on the allegations.
It’s unclear whether any inmate on kitchen duty had a hand in preparing the food that day.