This story is almost a month old and has been repeated here on FR numerous times since the jury verdict on December 11th. Note that the $1.2 million is for compensatory damages with the jury yet to decide the issue of punitive damages.
My understanding is the Ms. Genovese, like a lot of tea party supporters, is somewhat of a vocal gadfly who has been highly critical of the high costs of government on Long Island where there are multiple levels of overlapping police agencies, which in the opinion of many, are a huge and unnecessary burden to the taxpayers. In Suffolk County (where she was arrested), for example, nearly every town and village has its own police department. Then there is the Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police, NYS Department of Environmental Protection Police, MTA Police, Port Authority Police, NYS Mental Health Police, NYS Park Police, State University of New York Police, Suffolk County Community College Police, ASPCA Police, and I’m sure that I missed a few. Many of these police officers — particularly in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office where the arresting officer at issue is employed — have a six figure base pay with excellent benefits, and make over $200,000 a year with routine overtime.
..NYS Department of Environmental Protection Police
MTA Police
Port Authority Police
NYS Mental Health Police
NYS Park Police
State University of New York Police
Suffolk County Community College Police
ASPCA Police
Oh baby, the punitive will be HUGH! This is series business.