A paraplegic man, Lesaldo Shalto, has filed dozens of federal lawsuits primarily targeting restaurants in Queens, New York, alleging violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and local human rights laws. Shalto, described as an "avid Chinese chicken food enthusiast," and his attorney, Bradly Marks, have initiated at least 36 legal actions in New York federal court since 2012.
The lawsuits claim that businesses have failed to provide adequate handicap access, preventing Shalto and other disabled individuals from accessing goods and services. These cases often cite violations of the ADA, the New York City Human Rights Law, and the New York State Human Rights Law.
One of the most recent targets is New Ho Wah Chinese Restaurant in Astoria. The suit against the eatery and its building owner alleges that the premises are not accessible. It seeks to compel the restaurant to become accessible and to award unspecified compensatory damages. Property records indicate the building owner acquired the property in 2016 for $1.5 million. New Ho Wah Chinese Restaurant did not respond to requests for comment, and it remains unclear if Shalto ever attempted to enter the establishment.
Several businesses that have faced similar lawsuits from Shalto have stated they do not recall him attempting to gain access. An owner of an Astoria shop, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "No one that fits [Shalto’s] characteristics has come into the store."
Shalto has also sued other establishments, including Seven Grams Caffé and Famous Pizza in Manhattan. Some of these cases have resulted in settlements, with terms often undisclosed.
In June 2025, Shalto won nearly $21,000 in a case against Astoria Provisions, which has since closed. John Parlatore, the owner of Astoria Provisions, described Shalto and his lawyer as "horrible" and alleged they target small businesses. Parlatore stated that his restaurant had a removable ADA-compliant ramp, but Shalto found it uncomfortable, preferring a built-in ramp. Parlatore maintained that Shalto never visited his restaurant.
In May 2025, Shalto settled a case with New East Garden, a Chinese restaurant in Long Island City. Court documents stated that "Plaintiff was forced to order from the sidewalk each time he goes, which is frustrating."
An earlier suit filed in 2012 against a now-closed restaurant in Long Island City resulted in Shalto being awarded $1,988 in March 2013, which included $1,000 for compensatory damages for mental distress, $500 for statutory damages under the New York Civil Rights Law, and $488 for legal fees.
Attorney Bradly Marks, whose practice is based in Manhattan, has represented Shalto in most of these cases. Marks also, with his brother Darren Marks, has filed over 100 federal lawsuits on behalf of another wheelchair user, Jocelyn Pierre, against various businesses in Brooklyn and Manhattan for alleged ADA failures, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in settlements for Pierre.
Milkflower, an Italian restaurant in Astoria, settled with Shalto in January. The lawsuit claimed Shalto was "denied access" to the restaurant. Israel Klein, an attorney for Milkflower, expressed concern about the volume of lawsuits targeting small businesses, stating, "I think the approach of just the volume of these lawsuits and the way that they just go after small businesses is problematic."
When asked about the reason for the numerous lawsuits, Marks stated, "As a firm policy, we do not comment on the specifics of active litigation. However, more than three decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act promised equal access, Mr. Shalto, a wheelchair user, is still denied the basic dignity of independently entering and equal use of public businesses within his own community, underscoring that for many Americans with Disabilities, equal access remains an unfulfilled civil right."