Prospect Park Station Assault: Lawsuit Coming

Apologies for turning this blog into a police blotter, but there is more on the assault of Michael Mineo in the Prospect Park station. According to the Daily News, Mineo's attorney's have provided the city with a notice of intent to sue and the early line on the amount of the claim is ... $200,000,000.

Mineo's claim is $25 million more than Abner Louima asked for. In reality, however, the amount of the claim isn't a serious number; it is meant to grab headlines and keep the media focussed on the case. Despite considerably worse abuse and far more severe injuries, Louima ultimately settled for $8.5 million.

Two things I have learned about the case since last posting: (1) Officer Richard Kern has been accused of excessive force before and (2) Mineo's DNA was found on the baton allegedly used in the assault. Officer Kern continues to deny the allegations.