Man filmed being beaten by California deputies settles for $650G

[jakeXT]

Source: Associated Press

LOS ANGELES – A California county on Tuesday approved paying a $650,000 settlement to avoid a lawsuit by a man whose beating by deputies after a horse chase was captured on video and led to a federal civil rights investigation.

San Bernardino County supervisors approved the settlement with Francis Pusok, 30, in a closed meeting, said David Wert, a county spokesman.

Attorneys Sharon Brunner and Jim Terrell, who represent Pusok, said in a statement that county officials initiated the settlement negotiations. The lawyers noted that it was "remarkable as there was essentially no investigation nor any indictments," and it was based on video.

Pusok's arrest was recorded by a TV news crew in a helicopter and led to the FBI probe and 10 deputies being placed on leave pending an ongoing internal investigation.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/22/california-county-to-pay-man-on-horse-beaten-by-deputies-on-video/

[lonestarnot]

1. $650K and fox news is your source? A party who leaks a dollar amount may void his own settlement

agreement wouldn't you think. W

[Spitfire of ATJ]

4. Look again. Fox was repeating from the Associated Press.

[lonestarnot]

5. So is an amount discussed in a closed door meeting just discussed in public as to amounts because

the board of supervisors is approving that much tax payer money being paid out due to the involvement of its civil servants? And are the cops in jail yet? What I saw was criminal.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

6. Cops act like their paid vacation is punishment enough.

[lonestarnot]

7. Cops didn't have anything to do with a settlement payout and from what I saw, they should each and

all be in jail for assault.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

15. Are you kidding? They act like that tin star is a licence to kill.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

2. I can hear the Right Wingers now in two camps....

One camp is pissed off over their tax money going to this guy and the other camp is all macho saying that they wouldn't mind being beaten up for that kind of money.

[merrily]

3. Of which his lawyers will probably get more than half for their fees and expenses.I

I once agreed to settle a slip and fall case over a broken wrist (mine) The legal bill was exactly 2/3 of the settlement amount to the penny. Gee, those copying costs sure do mount up fast, don't they?

[1monster]

8. That's why settlements should always have a clause "plus legal fees..."

[merrily]

9. In my case, the disbursements equaled the fees.

In a contingency case, the fees are a percentage of the recovery, and then there are supposedly out of pocket disbursements, too. So, your clause would not work.

I am not anti-lawyer by any means. Nor am I anti-contingency fees. Without them, injured parties could not afford to fight at all.

But, I did want to put this in perspective. Getting beaten up by the police is by no means a ticked to Easy Street for the rest of your life even if you manage to survive.

[Demeter]

10. If the assaulting cops didn't go to jail, it's not a fair settlement

Amazing that they moved so fast, though. Usually, the perpetrator has to be dragged, kicking and screaming.


"the department continues to receive threatening phone calls and emails from the public"


NOW I see the inducement...bet it doesn't' work.

[cosmicone]

12. Probably a portion of that went for your medical bills

Contingency fees are usually 33%, 40% if the case goes to trial.

[merrily]

17. No. My health insurance and my doc took care of the medical bills.

The ER where I went initially was fully covered by my health insurance, not even a deductible.

The doctor who had delivered me when I was born took care of me after that and didn't charge me. I was getting married and he hugged me and said it was a wedding present. He was in practice in his own office by that time. My lawyer never even saw a medical bill.

[7962]

11. THAT was fast. I guess they saw the video too!

[coffeenap]

13. Thanks-but please find a different linked source--here ya go:

How about the LA Times?

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-settlement-san-bernardino-deputy-beating-20150421-story.html

[heaven05]

14. wow

that was quick.....wonder why. Not really.

[reddread]

16. or, in a more successful scenario

we can cut those costs down to $60k in Fresno! (the same amount they paid Jim Robinson (sans lawyer or any real reason, for being smeared as a hate group)

http://www.homelessvoice.org/fresno-witness-react-to-police-beating/

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/11/police.violence/

one problem with lawyers is they need friends in high places.
much more than they need you.

[Calista241]

18. Does anyone else think he settled for too small an amount? n/t