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Denver agrees to pay $1.6 million for wrongful raid of home

Posted at 10:05 PM, Jan 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-24 00:25:07-05

DENVER (AP) — The city of Denver has agreed to pay $1.6 million to settle a lawsuit filed after police officers conducted a warrantless raid on a home that led to the wrongful prosecution of four family members.

The Denver Post reports the settlement approved Monday by the City Council is one of the largest payouts in Denver history for a case that doesn't involve a wrongful death.

Four officers in 2009 raided a home previously occupied by drug dealers and prostitutes.

According to the lawsuit, Daniel Martinez Jr. and his three sons were punched and body slammed by the officers and arrested. The lawsuit accuses police of trumping up false charges against the Martinez family, which were eventually vacated through jury acquittals or dismissals by prosecutors.

The officers involved in the raid were investigated after the incident and cleared of wrongdoing.

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