HARRISBURG, Pa-(WPMT) A federal lawsuit charging Pennsylvania State Police with excessive force in the arrest of a Doylesburg, Franklin County, man four years ago is settled for $275,000. Christopher Broadwater and his attorney Devon Jacob, announced the settlement.
The civil rights lawsuit resulted from the brutal beating of a seated and handcuffed Broadwater, in the back of a state police cruiser in September 2010. Broadwater required 30 stitches in his face. The entire incident was captured on video tape.
Corporal Christian Dow, a patrol supervisor, one of five State Troopers on the scene, was charged with simple assault and suspended without pay. He was eventually found not guilty in April 2012. Trooper Nathan Swink was also named in the civil rights suit.
Attorney Jacob leveled harsh criticism at the Pennsylvania State Police:
. “It is unfortunate for the citizens and law enforcement in Pennsylvania that PSP Commissioner Frank Noonan permits Troopers like Fow and Swink to remain employed as troopers. Doing so breeds distrust and contempt toward the professional men and women who risk their lives daily to protect us.”
Jacob also said the whole case could have been settled in May for $250,000. But his client refused to sign onto a confidentiality agreement. Jacob said the PSP fought the lawsuit and lost their attempt to silence his client about case. He has asked Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to look into the use of taxpayer money to purchase confidentiality in settlements involving state agencies and officials.