Woman Gets $245K Settlement in Deputy Sex Suit

A Southern California woman has settled her Los Angeles deputy sex assault civil suit for $245,000.

The Downey woman says Deputy Mark Fitzpatrick, who is facing a criminal trial for the incident and two others, touched her chest during a 2008 traffic stop, then followed her home and assaulted her in the driveway. She sued the Sheriff’s Department and a settlement was announced Tuesday.

The 41-year-old deputy, who has pleaded not guilty in the criminal case, has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of the trial.

The Los Angeles Times says the lawsuit claimed the Sheriff’s Department was indifferent to past allegations of misconduct against Fitzpatrick. Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore says Sheriff Lee Baca takes allegations against deputies seriously.