City Settles Case Over Assault On Federal Agent
The city of Henderson, Nevada has paid $42,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by a federal agent who alleged that 3 local police officers has assaulted him at a bar. "The city emphatically denies liability in this case," the Assistant City Attorney said. "This was strictly a business decision."
Brad Hare, 35, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court. The complaint requested a judgment of more than $1 million. The suit was finally settled with the assistance of U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Johnston during a seven-hour settlement conference.
According to the lawsuit, three on-duty officers entered the bar around 1:30 a.m. and, without asking Hare or the bartender about the dispute, "violently lifted Mr. Hare off (the) ground and slammed Mr. Hare on the center of the pool table."
The officers were accused of dragging Hare out of the bar in a "pain-compliance arm-bar hold," throwing him on the hood of a vehicle, searching him and asking for his identification.
The city attorney assigned to the case has stated that the city decided to settle the case after considering the cost of further litigation and the “very small” risk that Hare would prevail at trial.
Mr. Hare had moved to the area in 2002, where he worked as a federal law enforcement officer. He declined to identify the federal agency that employs him, saying he often receives undercover assignments.
