A federal jury has awarded $5 million to a Santa Rosa man who accused two California Highway Patrol officers of racial bias and unlawful arrest.
The Press Democrat reports Nicholas La Motte was pulled over on Highway 101 in 2023 and arrested for a drug DUI despite passing field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer. While prosecutors eventually dropped all charges for lack of evidence, La Motte filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging he was targeted because he is Black.
Cell phone video captured by La Motte directly contradicted officer reports, proving critical to convincing the federal jury.
The $5 million verdict includes $3 million in punitive damages intended to punish malicious intent or reckless conduct.
Attorneys representing the two CHP officers did not immediately comment on whether they plan to appeal the decision.