A claim filed by Anthony Williams in the amount of $1.5 million was rejected by the Clearlake City Council on Thursday, Feb. 22. The claim alleges police misconduct and continued harassment stemming from an August 2006 incident.
Interim City Administrator Dale Neiman recommended rejection of the claim. When asked what his recommendation was based on, Neiman said it was because rejection shortens the time in which Williams has to file a lawsuit. Without the rejection, Williams would have had one year to file a lawsuit; now he has six months, according to Neiman.
In his written claim, Williams alleges that he was “pulled over, cited and officer yanked roughly on colostomy bag, reacted in pain, was then cuffed and officer laughed about yanking the colostomy bag.” In the document, Williams states that that the incident has left him with high levels of pain that must now be controlled by medication. He also claims possible nerve damage.
Williams”s claim in the amount of $1.5 million is based upon massive medical bills, pain and suffering, ongoing medical problems from the assault on the colostomy site and continued police harassment. Neiman said that the claim will be turned over to the city”s claims administrator, who will investigate the incident.
Further discussion of the item revealed that an investigation has been completed, internally, by the Clearlake Police Department, according to Interim Police Chief Larry Todd.
When asked for clarification regarding the investigation to be handled by the claims administrator, Neiman said the claims administrator will not conduct another investigation but will use the one already completed by the police department.
Todd was present during Thursday”s discussion of the item, which was pulled from the council”s Consent Calendar by Councilmember Chuck Leonard for clarification on the claim amount. The Interim Police Chief, however, could not comment on details of the investigation conducted by the department such as who had performed it or whether or not video evidence exists.
Todd later reported to Observer?American staff, that rejection of the claim is standard procedure.
Williams was also present at Thursdays meeting and asked the council why he had not been directly informed that the item would appear on the night”s agenda. City staff”s response was that the agenda item had been properly noticed in accordance with the Brown Act. Rejection of the claim, as recommended by Neiman, leaves Williams with six months to file a lawsuit. Williams reported that he will seek legal action.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
