Connecticut

$5 Million Lawsuit Alleges Bridgeport Police Beat Man at Party

A Connecticut man who alleges police officers beat him while he was handcuffed and denied him medical care is suing 13 officers and other city officials for $5 million.

The Connecticut Post reports Carmelo Mendez filed the lawsuit in federal court Tuesday in connection with a large police response to a noisy October 2017 party at his sister's Bridgeport home. He claims his constitutional rights were violated, and alleges Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Police Chief Armando Perez tried to cover up police abuses.

More than 40 officers responded to the party. Officials later found that 17 officers and two civilian detention officers violated regulations including using excessive force and lying on reports.

Police arrested Mendez, but the charges were dismissed.

A city spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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