The US city of Atlanta, in Georgia, will pay $1 million (£633,000) to a gay club after it was raided by police in 2009.
The Atlanta City Council voted 14-0 to pay the sum to the Eagle Bar after nineteen men claimed they were illegally searched and detained in September, last year.
The local authority made the decision yesterday. However, the settlement must now go back to
a federal judge for final approval.
The city's police department – which will now face internal review –
claimed they conducted the sting after tip-offs that drugs were being
consumed on the property.
Following the raid, police arrested eight employees and dancers for allegedly
providing adult entertainment without the proper permit.
The police also forced some 60 people facedown on the floor and kept
them there while they were searched and their IDs were checked.
Patrons and employees said some officers were aggressive, threatened
them with violence and made anti-gay slurs during the ordeal.
