Curry inmate receives $450,000 in settlement [Clovis News Journal, N.M.]
By Robin Fornof, Clovis News Journal, N.M. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
On Thursday, Commission Chairman
Salas is the brother of
According to the KOB report, Salas alleges that in
Salas also said he lost 100 pounds from lack of food during his stay at the juvenile jail. He told KOB he was forced to eat his mail and other paper to survive.
"It was some of our people didn't follow procedures and protocol which exposed us to some liability issues," Bostwick said. "In this case, and I was privy to some of the information ... there was clear lack of protocol and procedure on the part of the (juvenile) detention center facility employees."
County Manager
Pyle wasn't the county manager at the time of the alleged mistreatment of Salas. The then-Juvenile Detention Administrator
Pyle said the settlement actually cost the county
Bostwick said the county's insurance carrier recommended the settlement after investigating Salas' claims and finding "we would have some degree of liability."
Bostwick acknowledged the insurance company's recommendation was discussed by commissioners in executive session and there was no action taken on the matter in an open public session.
Asked when the settlement was approved by commissioners, Bostwick said, "I dislike the word approval because ... it was kind of a lesser of two evils. We had to accept, in the interest of the county, their offer. And we didn't accept anything ... I think the procedure is by not doing anything, we accept the insurance company's settlement offer."
Commissioner
"At the time (county attorney)
"What would happen is the county would end up sitting down and discussing it (with the board)," Kopelman said.
In the Salas case, county commissioners didn't challenge the board's decision to settle, according to Doerr.
Doerr said the NMAC hired
Macke advised settlement after taking a series of depositions, sworn statements from potential witnesses in the case.
Doerr said commissioners were briefed on the proposed settlement.
"I can't really say they (commissioners) agreed," said Doerr, adding commissioners were told if they did challenge it,
Macke could not be reached for comment.
Salas' lawyer, attorney
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