Cameraman files suit against Newark officer for assault

A television news cameraman in New Jersey has filed a 17-count lawsuit against a police officer and the city of Newark, alleging that he was assaulted while covering demonstration against street violence, The Star-Ledger reported.

Longtime cameraman James Quodomine was on assignment for Newark’s WCBS-TV when he was sent to cover a gathering of city residents who had lost family members to violence. His lawsuit alleges that Officer Brian Sharif confiscated his camera, put him in a headlock, handcuffed him and arrested him for disorderly conduct after he refused stop videotaping the demonstration in front of a church. Video of the incident confirms Quodomine’s account. Sharif was suspended after the video was aired.

Quodomine was later issued a summons for disorderly conduct, which he says the city agreed to drop if he agreed not to file a lawsuit. Quodomine refused, but the charges against him were later dropped.

Quodomine’s October 22 suit charges the city and Sharif with unreasonable seizure, excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution, among other charges. He is seeking unspecified compensation.