Settling for Misconduct
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Case 09-CV-5025

$95,000

EXCESSIVE FORCE/MINOR

On duty Excessive force False arrest or report Physical force Other charges filed Hospitalized

Plaintiff: Detrick Thomas

Incident date: 08/17/2007

Allegations:

Thomas had just left a party with some friends and was standing with the friends outside a parked car in a tow zone. One of Thomas' friends was sitting in the car's backseat when Officer Zala arrived and ordered the friend out of the car, claiming that he was drunk. Thomas politely asked Zala what the problem was and explained that his friend was not driving the car. Thomas then asked Zala if they could pay the $160 fine to avoid the car being towed. Zala said no, and began cursing and yelling at Thomas and his friends. Zala rushed at Thomas and pushed him in the chest. Thomas stumbled onto the sidewalk and began walking away from the scene with his friends. Zala ran up to Thomas, pushed him facedown on the ground and handcuffed him. Zala repeatedly punched Thomas on the right side of his face, and put Thomas in a paddy wagon. Because of the beating, Thomas had to receive medical care at a hospital for cuts, bruising and swelling on his face and bruises on his shoulder. The criminal charges against Thomas were later dropped.

VEEJAY ZALA

POLICE OFFICER

1268422900
$95,000 total payments
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Disclaimer

This database of civil police misconduct claims aims to summarize the complaint, the Chicago police officers named, and the settlement/judgment amount, and does not purport to summarize the entire legal proceeding. Defendants typically deny the allegations in a complaint, and a settlement or judgment is not an indication that every allegation is true. This database does not reflect the additional, non-Chicago police officer defendants who may have been named in the case or the specific claims that remained at the end of each case. For full credits and methodology, click here.

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