New York City has agreed to pay a total of $332,500 to six Occupy Wall Street protesters who said police unjustly blasted them with pepper spray. The episode helped propel the movement into the spotlight.
Lawyers for both sides said Monday the settlements range from $52,500 to $60,000 per person. They were reached in recent weeks.
The Law Department says settling was in the city’s best interest. The protesters’ lawyers say the suits held police accountable for their actions.
The cases stem from a Manhattan march in Occupy’s early days in September 2011.
Online video showed police Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna (boh-LOH’-nyah) pepper-spraying protesters corralled behind orange netting. The images helped galvanize Occupy.
Bologna was found to have violated police department guidelines. He was docked 10 vacation days.
(AP)
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Remember the lawyers get at least a third, though they probably have to kick back a portion in campaign contributions to the politicians who give them sweet heart deals on settlements of law suits against the city.