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$800,000 Settlement in Illegal Strip Search Claim Against Kentucky Jail
The parties to a class action lawsuit that alleged persons arrested for non-violent, non-drug-related misdemeanor offenses were strip searched illegally at Kentucky’s Bullitt County Detention Center (the Jail) have reached a settlement agreement. Under its terms, the Jail will establish a common fund of $800,000 to be shared amongst the class members and to pay attorney fees and costs.
The class consists of persons arrested from March 2, 2004, to the May 27, 2008 settlement date, and who were arrested on any qualifying misdemeanor charge “when there existed no basis for a reasonable, individualized suspicion that they were carrying or concealing weapons or contraband.” As part of the settlement, the Jail denies all liability.
The Agreement establishes an administrator to provide the class notice and to settle claims made by class members, who will receive payment not to exceed $1500. An exception was made for the seven class representatives. The original plaintiff, Kimberly Miracle, will receive $30,000. The other representatives are entitled to the following: $20,000 to April Griffith; $15,000 each to Earl Taylor, Jeffrey Fleenor, Richard Dailey, and Keith Wilson; and $10,000 to James Scott.
The class counsel, Gregory A. Belzley of the Louisville law firm of Dinsmore and Shohl, receives one-third of the settlement for fees and costs, which amounts to about $242,000. See: Miracle v. Bullitt County, Kentucky, USDC, W.D. KY., Case No. 3:05-CV-130-C.
The class consists of persons arrested from March 2, 2004, to the May 27, 2008 settlement date, and who were arrested on any qualifying misdemeanor charge “when there existed no basis for a reasonable, individualized suspicion that they were carrying or concealing weapons or contraband.” As part of the settlement, the Jail denies all liability.
The Agreement establishes an administrator to provide the class notice and to settle claims made by class members, who will receive payment not to exceed $1500. An exception was made for the seven class representatives. The original plaintiff, Kimberly Miracle, will receive $30,000. The other representatives are entitled to the following: $20,000 to April Griffith; $15,000 each to Earl Taylor, Jeffrey Fleenor, Richard Dailey, and Keith Wilson; and $10,000 to James Scott.
The class counsel, Gregory A. Belzley of the Louisville law firm of Dinsmore and Shohl, receives one-third of the settlement for fees and costs, which amounts to about $242,000. See: Miracle v. Bullitt County, Kentucky, USDC, W.D. KY., Case No. 3:05-CV-130-C.
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Related legal case
Miracle v. Bullitt County, Kentucky
| Year | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Cite | U.S.D.C. (W.D. KY), Case No. 3:05-CV-130-C |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 242,000.00 |
| Damages | 558,000.00 |