San Jose Mercury News | February 7, 2006

$990,000 Settlement In Hells Angels Suit

“Santa Clara County agreed Monday to pay nearly $1 million to settle a lawsuit by the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club over a 1998 police raid that resulted in three dead dogs, a torn-up sidewalk and little meaningful evidence. . . . The $990,000 settlement was spurred by the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection in December of the county’s argument that sheriff’s deputies were immune from liability.  Lower court judges previously had said the actions of the deputies and San Jose police officers were unreasonable.”