Common Council to consider $5 million settlement of lawsuits claiming 'strip searches' by MPD

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Common Council will consider approval of a group settlement of lawsuits claiming unlawful body cavity and strip searches by the Milwaukee Police Department, Grant Langley, the Milwaukee city attorney, announced Tuesday, December 15th.

These lawsuits allege an unwritten policy of unlawful stops and searches by the Milwaukee Police Department.

"For many clients, it's been very, very tough," Attorney Jonathan Safran said.

The settlement provides a total of $5 million that will cover the attorney fees and costs incurred by five law firms representing 74 plaintiffs and claimants, and will end litigation in 14 lawsuits pending in federal court, according to the city attorney.

The city attorney says the settlement provides approximately $2.3 million in attorney fees and costs, and $2.7 million in compensation to the plaintiffs.

The agreement also provides that the plaintiffs will pay almost $900,000 in child support, restitution and other documented debts.

Although the city has denied liability in all cases, the city attorney says the settlement is in the city’s best interests when considering the risk of potential compensatory and punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

"We think it's a good resolution for everyone involved," Safran said. "The hope is that this provides accountability and allows them to reach a resolution so that they can move on with their lives and again, put this behind them."

READ IT: Letter to Milwaukee Common Council from City Attorney Grant Langley and Deputy City Attorney Miriam Horwitz.

The news that the Milwaukee Common Council will consider this settlement comes after four Milwaukee police officers were fired and convicted of crimes.  One of those former officers, Michael Vagnini, was sentenced to more than two years in prison.

"This was a sad chapter in the Milwaukee Police Department," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. "When there were some bad apples, the chief took the steps get them out of the bushel. This is best for the taxpayers in the city of Milwaukee."

"I'm glad we've been able to resolve that chapter in regard to the Milwaukee Police Department and the history that has occurred over the last couple of years," Safran said.

The following statement was issued earlier Tuesday by Safran on behalf of the attorneys for the 74 African-American men who have alleged they were subjected to illegal and unconstitutional strip searches and body cavity searches by Milwaukee Police Department officers:

Attorney Robin Shellow, who has also represented victims in this case, issued this statement: