Salinas settles suit for $315,000

The city of Salinas has agreed to pay $315,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a man who said he was beaten by a police officer during a traffic stop. A settlement agreement was signed Aug. 2 in the case of Eric Arro of Salinas, who said that on Jan. 30, 2003, former Salinas police officer Robert Reichert used excessive force with him during a traffic stop, leaving him with black eyes, scrapes on the nose and chin, and a knot on his head. "We disputed all allegations but given the highly charged nature of the case, that it was a complex case, and the fact that Mr. Arro would be entitled an award for his attorney's fees in the event he was awarded just a single dollar from the city, we thought it was the most cost effective way to go," Salinas City Attorney Richard Nosky said Monday. "There was no admission of wrongdoing (by the city)," Nosky said. [more ]