From Denny Walsh:
An Elk Grove man this week filed suit against the city of Sacramento, its police chief and two officers, claiming he was severely beaten for no reason by one of the officers as he left a midtown nightclub last year.
Jaime Lara, 32, claims officers accosted him from behind when he and members of his family exited the Azukar Lounge at 1616 J St. early June 1, 2008. "Lara offered no resistance," the suit says.
The suit says he was beaten so badly medical staff at the jail would not allow him to be booked and told the officers he should be taken to a hospital.
While at Sutter General Hospital, the officers told Lara he was not being charged and was free to go. So his wife took him to Kaiser's South Sacramento Medical Center, the suit says.
He was diagnosed with a concussion, lacerations and blurred and double vision, it says.
Lara later filed a formal complaint with the department's internal affairs unit, the suit says.
"On April 17 . he received a letter signed by Chief of Police (Richard) Braziel and (Lt.) Neil Schneider . in which he
was advised that their investigation 'revealed improper conduct by our employee. Appropriate corrective action has been taken,'" according to the suit.
The department never identified his assailants and did not inform him of the nature of the "corrective action," the suit says.
The suit names as defendants the city, Officer Tristan Piano, Sgt. Daniel Monk and Braziel.
"I can't comment on any case that's undergoing litigation," department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said late today. He did confirm that the officers involved in the incident are still on the job, but would not say whether any of them were disciplined, citing the confidentiality of personnel matters.
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