Paterson man’s questionable police brutality lawsuit settled for $4,000
By Jayed Rahman
Published: December 5, 2018
A city man’s questionable police brutality lawsuit has been settled with a $4,000 payment, according to municipal records.
Nedal Abdallah alleged more than a dozen police officers attacked him as he exited the Paradise Café in South Paterson on Aug. 11, 2014. He claimed his civil rights were violated in the federal lawsuit.
Municipal officials said all Abdallah’s civil rights claims were dismissed by a judge. Only his negligence and lack of supervision claims survived the city’s move for dismissal in court. Typically, a judge, during a move for dismissal, looks at the facts in the case in the most favorable light towards the non-moving party.
The city is paying the “nuisance value” of the case by settling, said municipal officials.
Abdallah’s case was weak. He allegedly threw a bottle at a police officer. The officer responded by physically taking him down to the ground.
The city council approved the $4,000 settlement on Tuesday night.
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