San Bernardino, CA – A California county on Tuesday approved paying a $650,000 settlement to avoid a lawsuit by a man whose beating by deputies after a horse chase was captured on video and led to a federal civil rights investigation.
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San Bernardino County supervisors approved the settlement with 30-year-old Francis Pusok in a closed meeting, said David Wert, a county spokesman.
Pusok’s arrest was recorded by a TV news helicopter and led to the FBI probe and 10 deputies being placed on leave pending an ongoing internal investigation.
Wert said the agreement would settle all potential civil claims from Pusok’s April 9 arrest.
Messages seeking comment were left for Pusok’s attorneys.
Pusok fled by car and then on the horse in the desert while deputies chased him on foot after trying to serve a search warrant in an identity-theft investigation.
Jodi Miller, a sheriff’s department spokeswoman, said the names of the deputies involved in the arrest have not been released because the department continues to receive threatening phone calls and emails from the public.
No criminal charges have been filed against any deputies in connection with the incident.