In a recent legal development, Joanna Obuzor, a 41-year-old executive with the #Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, has settled her federal civil rights lawsuit against Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh for a total of $70,000. 

The incident in question occurred in October 2021. After attending a Halloween-themed book club meeting, Obuzor felt tired and chose to park her vehicle on Fifth Avenue in Oakland to rest before continuing her drive home, Triblive reports.

Around 4 a.m., she was awakened by two Pittsburgh police officers who conducted a field sobriety test. According to Obuzor’s lawsuit, the officers accused her of failing the test without administering a Breathalyzer or blood test, forcibly arrested her—resulting in a torn elbow ligament—and transported her to the #Allegheny County Jail without providing a clear reason for her arrest.  

At the jail, Obuzor alleged that during the intake process, correctional officers overreacted to a question she posed, leading them to tackle her and deploy a Taser multiple times, causing burn marks on her back. She claimed she was then left in a cell without medical attention or adequate clothing for five hours. 

In response to the lawsuit, the City of Pittsburgh agreed to a $7,500 settlement, which was approved by the City Council in November and signed by Mayor Ed Gainey the following month. Allegheny County contributed $62,500 to the settlement after receiving approval from the law department and the county manager. The payment was made on January 23.  

#Clique, sounds like she was shortchanged. what are your thoughts?