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Officer Suspended In Inkster Police Beating Case Sues City, Says He's A 'Scapegoat'

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A police officer suspended for 15 days following the videotaped beating of a motorist during a traffic stop is suing the city of Inkster.

Inkster Officer Phillip "Chuck" Randazzo filed the suit Monday in Wayne County Circuit Court. His lawyer Tom Pabst says Randazzo was "scapegoated."

Randazzo kicked 57-year-old Floyd Dent twice as officers worked to get him into handcuffs, but an internal investigation found his use of force was justified. Still, he was suspended for "excessive force and bringing the department disrepute."

"He was exonerated," Pabst told the Detroit Free Press. "So how does he end up getting punished?"

The lawsuit claims that a separate police station video showing Randazzo during Dent's booking process was released only in a smear attempt. The video did not have audio.

"He wasn't mocking anyone," Pabst told the paper. "Why would they release that tape, except to tell half the story and make my guy look bad?"

City Manager Richard Marsh said he wouldn't comment on pending litigation.

Footage from a police dashboard camera shows Dent being pulled from his car in January and repeatedly punched and kicked in the face and head. Prosecutors say they weren't aware of the beating until WDIV-TV aired the video and it subsequently went viral online,  drawing protests.

[VIDEO: Inkster Police Dashcam Violent Arrest Of Floyd Dent]

Police had claimed Dent refused to stop and had cocaine in the car; although Dent claimed police planted the drugs. All charges against Dent in connection with the incident have been dropped.

William Melendez, who delivered the brutal blows, was fired as an Inkster police officer. He's awaiting an October trial on charges of misconduct–mistreatment of a prisoner, and assault with intent to go great bodily harm less than murder.

Meantime, a $1.4 million settlement has been reached between Dent and the city.

Randazzo is no stranger to lawsuits involving the city. In September, a jury awarded him $125,000 from a 2013 whistleblower's lawsuit against Inkster. In that case, Randazzo claimed he was retaliated against for exposing mismanagement within the department by then-Chief of Police Hilton Napoleon.

Randazzo has been on the Inkster police force for about 20 years.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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