Former court spokeswoman sues Sheriff's Department
A former Los Angeles County Superior Court spokeswoman filed suit against the Sheriff’s Department on Friday in connection with an incident in which she alleges she was grabbed by a courthouse deputy and pushed hard against a wall despite the fact that she was wearing credentials.
Vania Stuelp, who sought medical treatment after the 2010 incident, suffered physical injuries and emotional pain, according to the lawsuit.
Stuelp claims she was trying to keep a camera crew from filming in a prohibited area. But sheriff’s officials have said Stuelp was detained because she refused to follow the deputy's instructions and leave an area in the courtroom usually occupied by lawyers. Stuelp was not arrested and court was not in session at the time.
Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said Friday night that the department "disagreed" with the lawsuit’s allegations.
"This is a lawsuit that we look forward to telling the whole story," he said. "We’re going to go into the courtroom and vigorously illuminate this incident."
A prosecutor also was named in the suit. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said the matter would be handled by county counsel.
It is unclear what damages Stuelp is seeking. She is a senior producer for the celebrity news site TMZ.
RELATED:
L.A. County Sheriff's Department investigating incident involving court spokeswoman
Witnesses dispute sheriff's officials' account of court spokeswoman's detention
-- Robert Faturechi
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Just another case of police brutality by our overpaid underworked cops but this time they pushed around someone who can fight back.
Posted by: upwinger | February 18, 2011 at 08:58 PM
Former court PR aide now working for TMZ. Her credibility might be in doubt.
Posted by: James Andrews | February 18, 2011 at 09:48 PM
I don't understand her career trajectory. Spokesperson for the LA County Courts to senior producer for TMZ.com? Maybe we've found the source of those mysterious leaks?
Posted by: Sophie | February 18, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Make her pay costs.
Posted by: john | February 18, 2011 at 09:51 PM
It's time to make cops accountable for they're actions.
Posted by: Borchy | February 19, 2011 at 08:39 AM
"She is a senior producer for the celebrity news site TMZ."
Nothing to see here, move along.
Posted by: Bradster | February 19, 2011 at 09:12 AM
Police in Los Angeles (really, all over America) think they're better than everybody else. They are even starting to use prison terminology, "general population," to refer to us.
Posted by: Hakatau | February 19, 2011 at 10:20 AM
I hope the deputies turn around and sue her...let see who can make the money first. Anything for cash.
Posted by: ben | February 19, 2011 at 06:07 PM