Brewster man files $50M suit accusing Putnam's sheriff's department of police brutality

The lawsuit says George Taranto saw flashlights and went outside in the middle of the night in July 2019.

News 12 Staff

Apr 7, 2021, 12:29 AM

Updated 1,308 days ago

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A Brewster man has filed a $50 million federal lawsuit accusing the Putnam County Sheriff's Department of beating him so badly he ended up on life support.
The lawsuit says George Taranto saw flashlights and went outside in the middle of the night in July 2019.
Sheriff's deputies were investigating car break-ins.
Documents say on his driveway, Taranto had his hand on his gun but it was pointed down in his holster.
Taranto's lawyer say when the police told him to drop it, Taranto did and put his hands up.
He says the deputies then beat the 75-year-old to the point where he still needs help round the clock.
Taranto's lawyer, who is a former NYPD seargent, says he sees no justification for what happened.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says there's a video that disputes what Taranto claims. News 12 has asked for it through a public records request.
Taranto's lawyer says neither he nor Taranto's criminal defense lawyer have seen any video of the incide