City to pay $75,000 to woman slugged by cop
A woman caught on video being hit by a police officer during a last years Puerto Rican Day Parade celebration will be awarded a settlement by the city.
A WOMAN caught on video being hit by police Lt. Jonathan Josey during a celebration after last year's Puerto Rican Day Parade will be awarded $75,000 in a settlement from the city.
Mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald confirmed yesterday that the city agreed this week to pay the amount to Aida Guzman, 39, of Chester. Guzman suffered a busted lip when she was struck by Josey, at the time a decorated highway patrolman, during a raucous street party at 5th Street and Lehigh Avenue following the Sept. 30 parade.
Video of the takedown went viral within a day, garnering more than 200,000 views on YouTube and stirring outrage. Josey, a 19-year veteran, was fired after the incident and eventually charged with simple assault. A judge acquitted the ex-cop of the criminal charge in February.
The video shows people in a crowd throwing liquid at officers before Josey turns around, focuses on Guzman, takes her down and she's arrested. It's unclear if Guzman ever threw anything, and a disorderly conduct citation against her was tossed within days of the incident.