Confidential
Settlement – $49,999Judge
Court
USDC Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Patrick S. Smith
(Law Office of Patrick S. Smith)
Defendant
Timothy T. Coates
(Greines, Martin, Stein and Richland LLP)
Facts
On October 16, 1992, a warrant was procured, signed by a judge, and executed to search Plaintiffs' property while they were out of the country. Various items including 3 gold coins (valued at $400 each) and a small amount of drugs were seized by Defendant county deputies. The drugs were seized as contraband and the coins were seized as forfeitable proceeds of alleged drug sales. Plaintiffs were a 34-year-old housewife and her 38-year-old husband who was a farm worker.
Settlement Discussions
Plaintiffs contend that they initially demanded $25,000 increased to $60,000 and that Defendant initially made no offers and then offered $49,999.
Damages
$1,200 in gold coins.
Other Information
Plaintiffs moved for summary adjudication on the legality of the seizure of the gold coins; the Court granted the summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff and Defendant proceeded to settlement.
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