Attorneys for Robert Brooks's family says there was a coverup, that abuse in prisons is rampant and they will ultimately have more defendants, but for now 17 corrections workers are named in the federal civil rights lawsuit.
Brooks is the Greece-area man beaten on body camera video inside Marcy Correctional Facility in early December.
State officials have put several employees on administrative leave and a special prosecutor is looking at charges.
Attorney Elizabeth Mazur adds that if they find more people involved in a coverup, additional defendants will be added.
Both attorneys for the family say abuse is systemic.
New York state cant be named in federal civil rights case, but several employees are.
A separate suit against the state will seek damages