WHITE PLAINS – A federal judge has dismissed a $50 million lawsuit against Putnam County and its sheriff’s department over charges of police brutality stemming from an alleged beating that occurred in 2019.
Judge Victoria Reznik released claims filed by the George Taranto family against five members of the sheriff’s department, former Sheriff Robert Langley and the county itself that stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 8, 2019 at 2 a.m. when police were accused of using excessive force in subduing the 75-year-old Taranto when deputies reported observing a gun in his hand when investigating a report of a prowler in Taranto’s condominium neighborhood in Southeast.
An investigation the following year noted that police “acted within the scope of their duties and had not violated any state laws by making a split-second decision to subdue Taranto by tackling him to the ground.”
When overcome by police, Taranto suffered a serious head wound. While being treated at Putnam Hospital Center, he went into cardiac arrest and was transferred to Danbury Hospital. He was released but hospitalized a second time two months later for a reported brain bleed. Taranto passed away on Aug. 25, 2021 after being arrested for menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.
The Taranto family filed the litigation believing the victim’s head trauma was caused by him being taken to the ground that resulted in the wrongful death. Poughkeepsie attorney Thomas Gambino has been hired by the couple to litigate the case. In a telephone interview, Gambino said the incident occurred ‘when Taranto was physically attacked, assaulted and brutalized by Deputies Ronald Yeager, Ryan Diskin, Vincent Dalo and Investigator Daniel Hunsberger while under the supervision of Sergeant William Quick.”
Sheriff Langley, who is also named in the suit along with the county and the five officers, said, “We strenuously deny the allegations and there’s video from the responding officers patrol car that contradicts Taranto’s claims, but because of the pending civil litigation and the pending criminal case against Mr. Taranto, we are unable to comment further.”
Putnam County Attorney Jennifer Bumgarner also reserved comment. “I have no comment at this time as the suit was just commenced. The case has been assigned to coverage counsel and we will vigorously defend the action.”
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