Sheriff Reaches Settlement in False-Arrest Suit

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has reached a $125,000 settlement with a Westlake Village businessman who filed a false-arrest suit after he was jailed on suspicion of attempting to kill his ex-wife.

Lee Mannheimer, 59, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit after his arrest in September 1999 in connection with the near-fatal beating of his former spouse, Linda Morrisset. Mannheimer was jailed for four days but released after prosecutors declined to file criminal charges.

In his lawsuit, Mannheimer alleged deputies had violated his civil rights by arresting him even though he had an alibi on the night Morrisset, 50, was bludgeoned in her home near Camarillo.

She was found lying in a pool of blood and later identified her ex-husband as the attacker. Although the investigation remains open, no charges have been filed.

Mannheimer’s lawsuit was scheduled to go to trial this spring in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. But lawyers reached a tentative settlement after negotiations with a federal magistrate overseeing the case.

Last week the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the agreement, which is expected to receive final court approval next month.

“This was a case that had very explosive aspects for both sides, and I think it represents a real compromise,” said Pasadena attorney John Burton, who represented Mannheimer.

Under terms of the agreement, $40,000 of the settlement money must be used to purchase annuities for Maxx Mannheimer, the 11-year-old son of Lee Mannheimer and Linda Morrisset.

In addition to the false arrest claims, Mannheimer alleged detectives had maliciously launched a child-welfare investigation that resulted in his son being removed from his custody for more than three months, causing emotional trauma for both.

Burton said Maxx will not receive the settlement money--expected to be used as a college fund--until after he turns 18.

Oxnard attorney Alan Wisotsky, who defended the Sheriff’s Department in the case, also called the settlement a fair compromise. He said the lawsuit involved several issues, and said Mannheimer had a strong claim on at least one.

While in custody Mannheimer was rearrested after two days behind bars. Suspects are supposed to be released after 48 hours if no charges are filed. The department has since stopped its practice of in-custody rearrests.

“We have since come to learn that while a number of agencies across the state had practiced the same approach, there were problems with it,” Wisotsky said. “He was likely entitled to compensation for that.”

Meanwhile, other litigation stemming from the assault continues. Five months after Mannheimer sued the Sheriff’s Department in federal court, he brought a defamation suit against Morrisset in Ventura County Superior Court for accusing him of the assault, even though charges had not been filed.

Morrisset counter-sued Mannheimer, alleging assault, battery, trespassing and other claims. She is seeking unspecified damages to pay for medical bills, nursing care and emotional distress. The two cases have been consolidated and are set for a jury trial on May 20.