Attorneys file notice of claim against City of Auburn on behalf of man punched during arrest

Attorneys representing 33-year-old Mauro Valles have filed a notice of claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, against the City of Auburn after a video showed an Auburn police officer repeatedly punching Valles in the head during an arrest.

The video, recorded Oct. 28, shows Auburn Police Officer Andrew Bryant striking Valles in the head over and over and over again as he tried to handcuff him on Auburn Way.

Valles’ attorney, Evan Oshan, said he has not settled on a dollar amount for the lawsuit and that compensation is not the point.

“Money justice is not perfect justice. First and foremost, this officer needs to be fired, immediately,” Oshan said.

Charges against man punched during Auburn arrest dismissed as investigation continues

Police had responded to reports that Valles was running into traffic and trying to get into passing cars.

Valles was charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction, attempted assault of an officer, and possession of a controlled substance. Days later, prosecutors dismissed the charges without prejudice while investigators work to determine what happened. Without prejudice means charges could potentially be filed again.

A former member of Auburn’s Police Advisory Committee said the video underscores the need for transparency and a way for residents to understand what happened before and after an encounter, as well as the policies governing officer conduct.

“We have filed complaints with the Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C., the Attorney General’s Office, here, and we’ve also been cooperating with the detectives to investigate this horrific crime,” Oshan said.

Bryant is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

A notice of claim is a first step toward a lawsuit, but it does not necessarily mean a lawsuit will be filed against the city.

MyNorthwest reached out to the City of Auburn for comment, but at the time of this writing, has not heard back.

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