The Milwaukee Common Council today approved a $5 million settlement that will be divided among 74 African American young men — including a 15-year-old boy and a wheelchair-bound paraplegic — who were subjected to illegal body cavity and strip searches by Milwaukee Police as part of a wide spread and racially discriminatory pattern and practice of the MPD.
Approval of this historic settlement demonstrates that the City of Milwaukee has at last accepted its responsibility for the blatantly unconstitutional conduct of its District 5 Unit of Power Shift police officers that was led by now-convicted felon Michael Vagnini.
Attorneys for the men and several of their clients will hold a press conference to discuss in detail the meaning and ramifications of this settlement after it is finalized by the approval of the Mayor and with the signatures of the aggrieved search victims.
Attorneys Heather Lewis Donnell and Theresa Kleinhaus of Loevy and Loevy litigated the suits in conjunction with Attorney Flint Taylor of Peoples Law Office, Attorney Robin Shellow of The Shellow Group, Attorney Jon Safran, and Attorney Alex Flynn.
Hi, I’m seeking legal council.
A Kenosha officer kneed me and more…. (I was crying in my truck, leaving my abusive then husband) drugged by the system for a month…numerous lies…. upon finally released and he emptied my bank acct and drained the oil from my truck etc….
Reported 2 beatings by my now ex with witnessed injuries… black eyes etc …. smashed furniture etc…. received 2 One sentence police reports of corruption. Racine
Received a sex assault by an alcohol smelling state trooper….Jefferson…… corruption of course. …..
Beat by 2 more officers…..Greendale . have pics. ( i bought a broken lighter and tried to return it at a gas station)
Do you handle any of this?
Thanks Jill
Jill – I’m so very sorry that happened to you. We cannot discuss your specific situation over the blog, but please feel free to call our office. TOLL FREE 888.644.6459 or 312-243-5900.