Offices of Dean Malone, P.C.
Dash camera video included in Natalie Simms' lawsuit shows her being searched by an SAPD officer.
In a federal lawsuit, Natalie Simms said a female SAPD detective pulled down her shorts and examined her vagina in view of the street and male officers. The detective also slid a tampon from Simms’ vagina and held it up, inspecting it in front of the other cops, the suit alleges.
Police found no drugs during the search, according to the filing.
“There's no amount of money that will satisfy Natalie, in that she's had something taken from her that can never be replaced — and that's her dignity,” said Dean Malone, the Dallas lawyer representing Simms.
In a written statement, City Attorney Andy Segovia said his office reviews cases to see whether they can be closed without a trial.
"We were able to resolve this matter with this proposed settlement and believe it to be in the best interest of all involved,” he said.
Malone said Simms was prepared to go trial had the city not approved a settlement. City officials never apologized to her for the search or admitted wrongdoing, he added.
Simms spent months trying to find a lawyer willing to take the case and was repeatedly turned down, according to Malone. He said he worries similar cases go unreported because people don't know their rights, are afraid to sue or can't find representation.
"I have concerns that this kind of thing goes on more frequently than we as a society would care to admit," Malone said.
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