South Bound Brook police allegedly verbally abused and used excessive force while arresting a borough man, according to a lawsuit settled out of court.
Francisco J. Villaneuva filed suit against the borough, then-Police Chief William King, Officers Edward McGovern and Douglas LaGrua and other borough police officers and officials.
An attorney for the borough confirmed the settlement in a March 15, 2016 letter, according to court documents sent to NJ Advance Media by open public records advocate John Paff.
In his lawsuit, Villaneuva said that on July 8, 2011, McGovern conducted a motor-vehicle stop on his son outside their home. He then allegedly "began a course of verbal abuse toward" his son, according to the lawsuit.
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Villaneuva left his residence and went to his son's vehicle. At that time, McGovern ordered Villaneuva to go back inside his home and began to verbally abuse him, it was stated in the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, McGovern, LaGrua and several other officials then assaulted and arrested Villaneuva without justification and with excessive force. Villaneuva said he sustained "various" injuries during the incident.
Villaneuva was taken to police headquarters and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, obstructing justice and disorderly conduct. The charges against him were still pending when he filed the lawsuit on July 2, 2013. The status of the charges is not immediately known.
Thomas J. Mallon, the attorney who represented Villaneuva, and Borough Administrator/Clerk Donald Kazar did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.