“Perhaps this case will serve as a cautionary tale to other cities and towns. That no-knock warrant might stand a better chance of getting denied, or that prosecutor with the attitude of “just get a conviction” will rethink that mindset if the risk of municipal bankruptcy is present. “
This kind of crap happens in big cities (that are effectively self insured) quite often; the difference is that they can write the big check, raise taxes with a bigger tax base, raise money with bonds (kicking the can down the road), and so forth.
http://apps.chicagotribune.com/bond-debt/chicago-bonds.html
Note the word “billion” is used in this article. And, this article is six years old. And, there is really no limit to how much debt can be taken on (without direct taxpayer approval), except possibly some limit to the stupidity of the bondholders!
If this happened in Chicago, that would be about $12.00 per resident-easily swept under the rug. Unfortunately, this makes big cities much more reckless, and they have legal departments that can make it hard for even the grandchildren of awarded victims to ever see a dime.