Report: Louima, N.Y. Reach $9M Settlement
N E W Y O R K, March 22 -- A tentative settlement has been reached in acivil lawsuit brought by a Haitian immigrant tortured in a policestation in 1997, the Daily News reported today.
Under terms of the proposal, Abner Louima would receive $9million from the city and the Police Benevolent Association. Inreturn, he would drop his demand for reform in the way the New YorkPolice Department deals with officers accused of crimes.
The proposed settlement was distributed to the parties Tuesday.Both sides are scheduled to meet March 28 to sign the deal, barringany disagreement, the News reported.
If finalized, the settlement would close the ugliest chapter inthe department's history. Louima's beating sparked protests and ledto convictions of six officers.
When Louima filed the suit in federal court in 1998, he claimedthat officers and the police union conspired to create a "bluewall of silence and lies to obstruct justice."
Louima testified that after his arrest in a street brawl outsidea Brooklyn nightclub in 1997, he was sodomized with a brokenbroomstick and threatened if he reported it.
Officer Justin Volpe, who pleaded guilty, is serving 30 years. Ajury found a second patrolman, Charles Schwarz, guilty of pinningLouima down during the assault; four other officers were convictedof lying to investigators.
Spokesmen for the police department, its union and Louimarefused comment to the News, citing a gag order.
Related Stories
ABC News Live