About 120 people file claims against Strike Force
Published 9:12 am Thursday, December 30, 2010
MINNEAPOLIS — A plaintiffs’ lawyer says about 120 people have filed claims in a $3 million settlement of a federal lawsuit involving a now-disbanded Minneapolis gang unit.
Attorney Randy Hopper says Thursday is the deadline to file a claim.
The August settlement was for a lawsuit against the Metro Gang Strike Force. The lawsuit claimed the strike forces’ police officers abused their authority by extorting cash and property, particularly from people of vulnerable immigration status.
The settlement allows people to file claims if they had property taken without notification or a receipt.
One plaintiff says strike force officers took his wallet and returned it with $100 missing.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press quotes the strike forces’ attorney as saying in August the civil settlement was not an admission of guilt.