City of Miami Commissioners approve a $500,000 settlement for woman raped by police officer
The Miami City Commission unanimously approved a $550,000 settlement Thursday for a woman who filed a lawsuit after she was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a police officer.
The woman was attacked on March 19, 2007 by Officer Michael Ragusa, who was sentenced in 2008 to 10 years behind bars for sexual attacks on three women.
Police said Ragusa targeted the women while driving around Miami Beach in his police car while wearing his officer's uniform. One of the women was let go by Ragusa after she told him she had a venereal disease.
The woman's lawsuit claims the police department didn't spot numerous "red flags" when Ragusa was hired in 2004, according to the Miami Herald.
The lawsuit claims Ragusa admitted in his application to the department that he had paid for sex with strippers and prostitutes, stole cash from restaurants where he worked as a waiter, and had a fiery temper.
"Despite the obvious red flags concerning his qualifications to be a police officer, [the department] engaged in only the most cursory scrutiny of his background and employment history," the suit said.
Ragusa, 36, will serve 10 years' probation upon his release from prison and be labeled a sexual predator.
The city attorney's office recommended the settlement and the commission voted to approve at a 4 p.m. meeting after discussing the matter in a closed door executive session.
