"But even more surprising than law enforcement failing to hide behind qualified immunity, is the guest starring role of a life preserver from the famous vessel that washed ashore. Orr owned one of the orange rings and had entertained some plans to auction it as part of the 50th anniversary remembrance of the disaster. Instead, as part of the deal, Orr is getting $600,000 from the state and handing over the ring."
"Why would the beneficiary of the settlement hand over anything? That's a great question! According to Orr's lawyer, the police officer's attorney knew that Orr owned the artifact and randomly raised the prospect of throwing it into the deal. "Are we at a mediation for a wrongful prosecution or an estate sale?" Smith said she wondered in the AP article. But these misgivings weren't enough to keep the deal from getting done. Though maybe they should have."
The state agreed to pay $600,000 to settle claims brought by Larry Orr related to a discredited sexual abuse allegation. Orr owned an orange life preserver from the Edmund Fitzgerald and had planned to auction it for the disaster's 50th anniversary. As part of the settlement, Orr transfers the life preserver to the state while receiving the $600,000 payment. The ring is valued at roughly $300,000, making the deal resemble a $300,000 settlement plus a $300,000 disguised purchase of property. Litigation settlements receive tax benefits, prompting skepticism about the arrangement.
#police-misconduct #litigation-settlement #edmund-fitzgerald-life-preserver #tax-and-valuation-concerns
Read at Above the Law
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