(Published Wednesday, April 11, 2007 11:21:44 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Mike Heine Gazette staff
MILWAUKEE-An independent journalist suing Walworth County and two sheriff's department courthouse security officers for alleged civil rights violations agreed Monday to a settlement in U.S. District Court.
Terms of the settlement cannot be disclosed until after the county's insurance company-Wisconsin County Mutual-approves the agreement, said Michael Cotter, Walworth County deputy corporation counsel. A magistrate judge ordered all settlement documents submitted by Friday, May 11.
The case could go to trial if the insurance company's approval committee rejects the settlement, Cotter said.
In March 2005, D. Suzanne Shell, a journalist from Elbert, Colo., filed a civil rights compliant against Walworth County, Sgt. Tom Hausner and deputy Tom Jones. She alleged the officers wrongfully and forcibly arrested her for filming things inside the old Walworth County Courthouse in early 2003.
Shell was videotaping material for a documentary that included the story of a woman who was convicted of misdemeanor battery for an alleged severe spanking she gave her son.
Shell, 51, claims she asked for and received permission to film at the courthouse and claims Hausner and Jones wrongfully took her tape and used excessive force when arresting her for obstruction and disorderly conduct.
The county denied the allegations in a response to the complaint.
"All I can say is it's settled," said Charles Bohl, an attorney representing the county.
"The resolution is the best option for Walworth County," said Undersheriff Kurt Picknell. "Any other information can be offered only after the settlement is approved."
Neither Shell nor her attorneys could be reached for comment.
Cotter said confidentiality clauses in the settlement would limit both sides' abilities to comment on the case. However, settlement amounts should be public record once the agreement is finalized because Walworth County is a public entity.
The only taxpayer-funded amount the county is liable for is the $50,000 insurance deductible, which was met through the county's defense of the case, Cotter said.
Both Hausner and Jones remain on the courthouse security staff.
Cotter said he doesn't believe the case damaged the officers' reputations.
