City, Hells Angels Settle Lawsuit

Motorcyclists who claimed they were unfairly treated by Simi Valley police during a 1997 Hells Angels charity event have agreed to settle their class-action lawsuit against the city for $40,000, it was reported Tuesday.

Simi Valley City Manager Mike Sedell said in a written statement that a federal judge in Los Angeles approved a tentative settlement Tuesday that offers far less money than the lawsuit sought.

About 60 plaintiffs will share $10,000, and the remaining $30,000 will be divided among their attorneys, the statement said. The original claim was for $11 million.

The lawsuit stems from a so-called “Poker Ride” held Sept. 7, 1997, to an Elks Lodge in Simi Valley. During the event, which attracted 1,500 riders, six people were arrested, 45 people were given citations and 27 drivers were verbally warned.

In the suit, the riders alleged that officers were overzealous and violated the bikers’ civil liberties by singling them out for minor traffic violations, such as not having a headlight on or failing to signal for a turn.

The situation followed an incident in the summer of 1997 in which eight Simi Valley police officers returned their Officer of the Year awards to the Elks Lodge after learning that lodge members had agreed to host the Hells Angels charity event.

Simi Valley officials said the settlement was made to avoid further legal costs, which they estimated could have exceeded $250,000. In the settlement, neither side admits liability.