‘Live PD’ Arrest Leads to $2.5 Million Payout for Civil Rights Violations
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer A Texas county agreed on Tuesday to pay $2.5 million to settle allegations that a SWAT team arrest was staged for the benefit of the A&E reality show “Live PD.” Gary Watsky argued in court that deputies did not have a warrant in May 2019 when they broke down his front and back doors, deployed a “flash-bang” grenade, and swarmed his house.
Watsky was held at gunpoint, according to his lawsuit, searched, and brought outside, where he saw a TV cameraman and was informed that the search was being filmed for “Live PD.” The deputies were there to arrest Watsky’s son, Asher, who had appeared in court earlier that day on another charge.
The suit alleged that Asher Watsky could easily have been taken into custody peacefully at the courthouse, but that the deputies chose to stage a dramatic and violent raid because it made for better television.
The Commissioners Court of Williamson County approved the $2.5 million settlement on a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, without public discussion.
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