Sept. 28--Pittsburgh is poised for at least the fourth time since November to settle with people who sued alleging police brutality.
City Council on Tuesday introduced legislation that would pay two men -- one a convicted bank robber who led police on a high-speed chase through rush hour traffic -- nearly $70,000. So far this year, the city, which is self-insured, paid at least $360,500 to settle lawsuits filed against police.
In the latest proposal, council will consider paying Robert Rucker of Penn Hills and his Downtown attorney Kelly Scanlon Graham $61,290 in costs, lawyer fees and interest. Council will consider a $6,000 settlement with convicted bank robber John J. McAleavey Jr. of Ridgemont.
Councilman Bill Peduto of Point Breeze, who chairs the finance and law committee, said members have not been briefed on the legislation. He introduced it based on a recommendation from the law department.
"The question is, do we settle for the amount the law department has suggested or do we go to court?" Peduto said, adding that council typically follows the department's advice to avoid additional costs.
A police spokeswoman said Chief Nate Harper would not comment. Dan O'Hara, president of Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1, did not return a phone call.
A federal jury ruled in August that police used excessive force in 2006 when arresting Rucker during a domestic violence call. Rucker claimed police used a Taser and beat him for no reason.
McAleavey, who is serving a 20- to 40-year prison sentence for armed bank robbery, sued after his 2008 arrest, claiming more than a dozen officers beat him after he crashed his vehicle at the 31st Street Bridge.
The city in November agreed to a $40,500 settlement with a South Side man who was pistol-whipped in 2008 and shot by an off-duty police officer. A judge acquitted the officer of drunken driving, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering.
In March, Pittsburgh paid $150,000 to a Houston, Texas, man who said an off-duty officer grabbed him by the throat and repeatedly shoved him in 2008 after accusing him of driving erratically in Hazelwood. Council approved a $170,000 payment in May to settle with a Point Breeze man who said police broke his knee during the 2009 G-20 economic summit.
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