Woman To Receive $1 Million For False Arrest Outside Air National Guard Base
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York woman who was arrested outside an Air National Guard base while taking pictures for a "Support Our Troops'' website is due to get over $1 million after suing for false arrest.
Nancy Genovese claimed Suffolk County sheriff's deputies humiliated her in July 2009 while she photographed a decorative helicopter outside the base in Westhampton Beach on Long Island.
She was jailed four days before posting bail. A criminal trespass charge was later dismissed.
A federal jury initially awarded Genovese $1.12 million. A judge later cut the amount to $700,000 after ruling the jury award "grossly excessive.''
Attorney Frederick Brewington says Suffolk County then settled for just over $1 million to avoid another trial where she could have sought punitive damages.
"Ms. Genovese was subjected to a level of abuse because they did not share the same political views as she did and saw this as an excuse to deny her even the most basic civil rights," Brewington said, as previously reported by The Guardian.
The Guardian also reports a deputy sheriff allegedly told Genovese he would arrest her for terrorism to make an example out of other "right-wingers."
A legislative vote on the settlement is next week.
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