76
A former Maui police officer who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in 2008 has agreed to pay her $20,000 to settle a civil lawsuit.
Kristopher Galon told a magistrate judge in federal court Friday that he will mail a certified or cashier’s check to Cades Schutte LLP, the Honolulu law firm representing the woman.
According to a plea agreement in Galon’s criminal case, he picked the woman up in his police car after she was released from a Lahaina police cell and sexually assaulted her. He was sentenced to a year and a half in prison for extorting sex from her and stealing $1,500 from a driver during a traffic stop.
The woman filed a civil suit against Maui County, the police department, Galon and others. She recently won a $200,000 settlement from the county.
Another former officer was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine for stealing $500 from her that night.
The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual assault.
Galon, who is representing himself, and the woman’s attorney, Jeffrey Portnoy, participated in the settlement hearing by telephone.
Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren said he will dismiss the case once the payment is made. He gave Galon 60 days to pay. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26 — or sooner if Galon pays before the deadline — to confirm the case has been resolved.
"No amount of money will ever compensate her for what happened that night," Portnoy said in an email after the brief hearing.
———
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Associated Press
