Attorney settles Fresno excessive force case for $250K

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A high-profile attorney has settled a federal civil rights lawsuit over what he says was excessive use of force by a California courthouse deputy for $250,000.

Richard Berman, 69, said in the lawsuit that Fresno Sheriff's Deputy Tracy Sink roughed him up and arrested him in a Fresno courthouse in 2012 during a dispute about a child's toy.

Berman and his attorney say a courthouse security video shows Berman doing nothing but questioning authority.

Sheriff Margaret Mims said at the time that Berman started the fight by shoving Sink. He was arrested during the incident but never charged.

Sheriff's spokesman Tony Botti said Tuesday that the sheriff doesn't wish to comment on the case. He said Sink still works as a deputy.