The custodian will receive $275,000
TEANECK -- The township has agreed to pay a church custodian $275,000 to settle claims that Teaneck Police officers used excessive force while arresting him in 2010.
Donald Farrar claimed in a lawsuit that Teaneck Police Officer Spence Osaigbovo struck him in the head with a flashlight and tackled him to the ground on May 26, 2010.
Farrar, who worked as a custodian at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Church Street, was cleaning the lounge area at 1 a.m. when Osaigbovo and Officer Craig Luebeck arrived. Farrar tried to explain that he worked for the church and was working late, but Osaigbovo attacked, the lawsuit says.
Luebeck kicked Farrar while Osaigbovo had him on the ground, the lawsuit says. They continued to beat him after handcuffing him.
Three other officers arrived but no one explained that Farrar was under arrest or charged with a crime, the lawsuit says.
Police refused to allow Farrar to use the phone while at headquarters, the lawsuit says. He was taken to Holy Name Medical Center after becoming dizzy in a holding cell. Only afterward did officers tell Farrar he was charged with resisting arrest.
Farrar filed suit in 2012, claiming that his arrest was an unreasonable seizure, that police had used excessive force and that officers had been improperly trained, among other things.
The township reached a settlement with Farrar on May 13. The settlement was first published by the NJ Civil Settlements website. Farrar agreed to drop the suit, while Teaneck will pay him $275,000. The township admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.