On August 7, 2025, Team ROC, the social justice arm of Roc Nation, filed an amicus brief in support of five women who say they were abused by former Kansas City, Kansas police officer Roger Golubski and other KCKPD members. The brief challenges a district court’s decision to dismiss the women’s federal lawsuit against the city and police department.
The court previously ruled that the statute of limitations barred the women’s claims. However, Team ROC and nine partner organizations argue that the timeline to file should not have begun until after Golubski’s recent death, which ended his decades of intimidation and influence in the community.
Joining the effort are high-profile advocates and organizations, including Angela Rye, the Midwest Innocence Project, The Gathering for Justice, Until Freedom, and the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. The brief seeks to ensure that Michelle Houcks, Saundra Newsom, Niko Quinn, Ophelia Williams, and Richelle Miller have their day in court.
These women filed suit in 2023, alleging the city and police department allowed a culture of corruption that led to stalking, abuse, sexual assault, and harassment of Black residents. Team ROC and fellow advocates argue the victims feared retaliation while Golubski was alive, making it impossible to come forward until recently safely.
If the appellate court sides with the victims, it could open the door for other survivors nationwide to seek justice in cases where fear of retribution delayed legal action.
“This isn’t just about one corrupt officer or department —it’s about protecting communities across the country from institutional misconduct by state officials,” Team ROC Managing Director Dania Diaz said. “Setting the right example in places like Kansas City, Kansas —where community members have been subject to decades of harm— is critical to ensure that government officials are being transparent and will be called to answer for their conduct if they violate the law.”
In connection with the filing, Team ROC also released a new episode of its podcast “Corruption Uncovered,” which explores systemic failures in KCK’s criminal justice system and highlights survivor stories. More can be found at kckpdcorruption.info.