Posted on 04/21/2015 11:51:16 AM PDT by Citizen Zed
A man beaten by sheriff's deputies during an arrest after a horseback pursuit in the high desert northeast of Los Angeles has settled a case with San Bernardino County for $650,000.
County officials said in a statement they came to that agreement with Francis Jared Pusok over his April 9 arrest "in order to avoid litigation expenses."
"The sole purpose of this agreement for both parties is to avoid the costs involved in litigation," said board of supervisors Chairman James Ramos. "This agreement is a fair outcome for everyone involved, including the taxpayers."
Pusok, 30, of Apple Valley, spoke to NBC4 about his arrest that prompted an internal investigation into San Bernardino County deputies' actions and a federal civil rights probe. Ten deputies were placed on paid administrative leave after the arrest, captured on camera by NewsChopper4.
"I thought I was being beaten to death," said Pusok, who suffered wounds to his head, ribs, back, face, neck and legs. "I was wondering, 'When is it going to stop?'" Deputies beat Pusok after he led deputies on a nearly three-hour pursuit that began when authorities were trying to serve a warrant in connection with an identity theft investigation that his attorney said Pusok had nothing to do with.
Pusok said he complied with deputies' orders to put his hands behind his back after he fell off the horse. He said deputies cuffed both his hands and ankles. He then expected to be questioned, he said, but "they just beat me" instead.
He said he was stunned several times with Tasers and deputies pressed his head into the sand as he fought for air.
"They tased me again after they hit me for awhile," he said. Afterward, he said one of the deputies who beat him walked up and whispered in his ear, "This isn't over."
Sheriff's officials declined to comment about Pusok's allegations, citing the ongoing investigation, but earlier Sheriff John McMahon said the video of the arrest appeared excessive.
"I assure you that if there's any criminal wrongdoing on the part of any of our deputy sheriffs or any policy violations, we will take action," he said.
Pusok was hospitalized and jailed on charges of felony evading, theft of a horse, and possession of stolen property. He was released from custody April 12 after posting bail.
San Bernardino Superior Court records show Pusok has convictions for resisting arrest, animal cruelty, disturbing the peace, attempted robbery and failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility.
According to the terms of the settlement, unanimously approved Tuesday by the board of supervisors in closed session and by Pusok and his attorney on Friday, the County acknowledges no wrongdoing.
The agreement settles all potential claims from Pusok that could stem from the incident.
Wow! That was fast.
That was fast.
Who is his attorney - the Flash?
Let that be a lesson to the taxpayers. When government and the judiciary waste your money, it's only "fair".
I want those cops to do some jail time and be kept from law enforcement, that video was insane.
It is pretty obvious from the video that the police beat him mercilessly without provocation.
Cops get real worked up when they have to chase somebody or there is resistance. A beatdown commonly follows.
No idea what Judge Roy Bean would say about this.
They Tuned-up that cowboy real good.
But not 650K’s worth.
No idea what Judge Roy Bean would say about this.
“Trust in my judgment of the book. Besides, you’re gonna hang no matter what it says in there, ‘cause I am the law, and the law is the handmaiden of justice. Get a rope.”
JBTL alert!
Amazing, that must be a record for a settlement of any kind in any case I have ever heard of.
Hopefully he was charged in this identity theft case, will be found guilty and will be sentenced to pay the $650k to his victims. That there would be what I call justice.
They weren’t after him for the identify theft.
He just panicked and ran when he saw them.
(Not saying he was a saint.)
“Hopefully he was charged in this identity theft case,”
His lawyer claims that he had nothing to do with the identity theft case.
If the county's goal was to avoid the cost of litigation, it makes sense for them to offer a tempting amount as soon as possible.
The bottom fell out of his horse-trading biz when after the Boer War ended. He reduced his expenses by taking back the horses he had sold the British Army. This set off His Majesty's government. The Germans were after him because he sold them worn-out old British warhorses, which broke down in the Kalahari Desert so they had to walk out.
And the Boers disapproved of horse theft on principal. So Grandpa left South Africa for his health. I had a great time as a blond-haired, blue-eyed school kid when the teachers asked us where our ancestors came from. I kept waving my hand and responding, "Africa!".
“If the county’s goal was to avoid the cost of litigation, it makes sense for them to offer a tempting amount as soon as possible.”
Maybe but it smacks of phoney government accounting to me. If for now only county staff attorneys would be working on this case, then the true cost of not settling early is zero. Only if the county would need to immediately seek outside counsel or would be required to pay the attorney’s fees of the victim would they be under financial pressure to settle early.
Still I am glad to see a big figure out there quickly. Maybe the public in that area will take notice and connect the payment to the event since they were so close in time. Then maybe someone will pay a political price too.
Why are so many people here cheering for the cops who stomped this guy?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.