SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — 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.
San Bernardino County supervisors approved the settlement with 30-year-old Francis Pusok in a closed meeting, said David Wert, a county spokesman.
The arrest of Pusok was recorded by a TV news crew in a helicopter and led to the FBI probe and 10 deputies being placed on leave pending an ongoing internal investigation.
Pusok fled by car and then on the horse in the desert on April 9 while deputies chased him on foot after trying to serve a search warrant in an identity-theft investigation.
The video shows Pusok, dressed in bright red clothing, falling from the horse as a deputy ran up and fired a Taser that officials said was ineffective.
Pusok is seen face down with his legs outstretched and hands behind his back as a deputy threw punches and kicks. One deputy kicked him in the crotch. Other deputies arrived moments later.
Wert said the agreement would settle all potential civil claims but does not affect internal, criminal or civil rights investigations.
Messages seeking comment were left for Pusok’s attorneys Jim Terrell and Sharon Brunner.
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.
Attorney Matt McNicholas, who has represented victims of force in civil rights cases and police officers in employment cases, said the agreement was an “excellent result for all sides” and a fiscally and morally responsible action by the county. McNicholas was not involved in Pusok’s case.
“It ended up, I believe, saving the taxpayers money and probably putting more money in the plaintiff’s pocket,” McNicholas said.
The department is investigating whether any criminal charges should be filed against Pusok or the deputies involved in his arrest and is conducting a separate internal probe into the deputies’ actions, Miller said.
Pusok has a number of vehicle code violations and pleaded no contest to several criminal charges, including resisting arrest, attempted robbery, animal cruelty and fighting or offensive words, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records.
