In June 2012, during the Puerto Rican festivities held in Humboldt Park, a gang incident started in front of the oldest Puerto Rican business on Division Street. The business owner called the cops. The cops came, but instead of going after the gang members, they targeted the business man who owned the barber shop, O. Rodriguez. When another barber, Mr. Gomez, came out of the barber shop, he, too, was attacked by the police. Finally, the police went after then 54 year old cancer survivor Edwin Mercado. The police falsely arrested all three, using excessive force in the process.
The three were charged with misdemeanors and went to court, where their charges were rapidly dismissed.
Melinda Power and co-counsel Sandeep Basran filed a lawsuit against the involved officers which they litigated for 8 years due to the co-arrestees pending felony cases. Finally, on the eve of trial, a very satisfactory settlement was reached by the attorneys. Luckily right in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, our clients were able to receive a substantial amount of money.