Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha sues five officers for April 2015 incident
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Atlanta Hawks swingman Thabo Sefolosha filed a civil suit Wednesday against five New York City police officers over an April 2015 arrest that left him with a broken leg.
ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz reported the details of the lawsuit.
• MCCANN: Sefolosha vs. the NYPD: Breaking down the civil lawsuit
On April 8, 2015, Sefolosha was outside a Manhattan nightclub with teammate Pero Antic when officers claimed the two were interfering with a crime scene. Police arrested Sefolosha, who sustained a broken fibula while being handcuffed.
Sefolosha missed the rest of the regular season and the 2015 playoffs with the injury. A jury acquitted Sefolosha of all charges in October.
The lawsuit accuses the five arresting officers and the city of false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment. Sefolosha filed a notice of claim last year setting $50 million as his ceiling for damages.
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Antic has also filed a lawsuit against the officers and the city.
Sefolosha is averaging 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Hawks so far this season.