CA Woman Hogtied by Police Receives $250K

– January 18, 2013

A California woman who was hogtied by two California Highway Patrol officers after being pulled over for talking on her cellphone while driving received a $250,000 settlement from the state.

The incident occurred in August 2011, when two CHP officers pulled over 30-year-old Tamara Gaglione after seeing her cut off other drivers while talking on her cell phone while driving on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles.

The incident was captured on video by a camera in the officers’ car. The video shows officers telling Gaglione to throw her keys out of the window and step out of her vehicle.

When Gaglione appeared confused, and failed to respond to the officers’ orders, they drew their guns, tackled her face-down on the roadway, and hogtied and handcuffed her, before placing her in their police car.

She was charged with resisting arrest and driving on a suspended license, but the charges were later dropped.

Gaglione filed suit against the CHP, claiming the officers violated her civil rights.

The state settled the lawsuit for $250,000.