Former Suspect in Library Fire Settles Suit With City
Harry Peak, once the prime suspect in the 1986 Central Library fire, has agreed to a tentative settlement of his $15-million false imprisonment lawsuit against the city, attorneys for both sides said Wednesday.
Under the agreement, which must be approved by the Los Angeles City Council, Peak would receive $35,000 and the city would dismiss a $23.6-million countersuit it filed against him, according to Senior Assistant City Atty. Thomas Hokinson.
When Peak was arrested in 1987, investigators said they were “convinced” that he had set the fire that gutted the landmark main library. He was released three days later and subsequently sued the city. The city took the rare step of countersuing for property damage and other costs associated with the fire.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
