$25-Million Suit Filed in Alleged Stun-Gun Torture

Four men and a juvenile who claim they were tortured by Huntington Beach police with electronic stun guns have filed a $25-million federal civil rights lawsuit against the city, Police Chief Earle Robitaille and 23 police officers.

Each alleges in the lawsuit, filed Tuesday at the U.S. District Court branch office in Santa Ana, that they suffered “severe injury, both physically and emotionally” as a result of violations of their due process and equal protection rights under the U.S. Constitution.

Police Lt. Michael Biggs said his department would have “no comment” until officials study the lawsuit. “We haven’t been served with a copy.” The city denied claims for damages filed by the five before the suit.