$1 Million OKd for Family of Man Slain by Deputies
The Los Angeles County Claims Board approved a $1-million settlement Monday of a wrongful death suit filed against the Sheriff’s Department by the family of a man killed by deputies after a traffic stop in 1988.
Under county policy, settlements of more than $100,000 are not final until approved by the Board of Supervisors, which will be May 29 at the earliest.
Auditor-Controller Nancy Singer, who has been a member of the Claims Board for five years, said it was the largest settlement she can remember.
The family of Hong Pyo Lee, 21, filed a $5.7-million suit in U.S. District Court alleging the Sheriff’s Department tried to cover up the March 8, 1988, shooting.
Sheriff’s officials said Lee, of Cerritos, ran a stop sign in Compton and led deputies on a 15-mile chase. Deputies opened fire after Lee tried to run them down after he was cornered on a dead-end street, officials said.
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