Denver City Council is poised to approve $2.9 million in settlements with 13 people over police misconduct during the 2020 George Floyd protests.
The city recently lost an appeal on a $14 million jury award related to the protests.
As a result of that verdict, Denver admitted in court documents that its police did wrong related to the claims in Dominick, et al. v. City and County of Denver.
Those claims, first filed in May 2022, are sweeping:
- Denver police intentionally shot people in the face with less-lethal munitions to silence First Amendment-protected activity.
- The department intentionally attacked press and others documenting police violence with pepper spray, tear gas, flash-bang grenades and other less lethal munitions.
- The department failed to give appropriate warnings before unleashing violence against peaceful protesters.
- Police falsely arrested people who committed no crimes while exercising their First Amendment rights.
The case was scheduled for a jury trial, but after the city’s admission of liability, the jury would have only decided the scope of the department’s wrongdoing and the amount plaintiffs would be awarded.
In what was likely an attempt to save money on an ongoing court case, the city and plaintiffs decided to settle.
The City Attorney’s Office, which has settled tens of millions in police misconduct cases since 2020, previously declined to comment on the case.
The council will be asked to approve thirteen separate settlements.
- Jesse Friedman: $205,000
- Alex Hickman: $275,000
- Ryan Kehoe: $165,000
- Kristen Klotzer: $190,000
- Susan McKillips: $165,000
- Brett Rios: $270,000
- Tashari Sayers: $155,000
- Raymond Schwab: $215,000
- Joe Szuszwalak: $300,000
- Isis Usborne: $210,000
- Adam Bentch: $140,000
- Patricia Koo: $275,000
- Marquis Dominick: $300,000
