Orlando Business Journal

BREAKING THE BARS

By Pat Beall

A jailer's worst nightmare, Florida native E. Clay Parker wrested $2.2 million from Osceola County in May 1998. The settlement was largest of its kind in county history. Parker had sued the county for $20 million on behalf of Daniel B. Sager's family, Sagers' family, Sagers, an inmate at the Osceola County Jail, was beaten by a half-dozen guards and died from his injuries March 12, 1997.

The $2.2 million Osceola settlement is not to be confused with the $3 million settlement Parker got from the Orange County jail the same month.

In that case, Susan Bennett, arrested for allegedly forging prescriptions, died of a heart attack in jail March 16, 1997 - the same period as the Osceola County jail death.

Parker argued the jail's medical staff had failed to notice Bennett's deteriorating condition and left her to die without medication or treatment. Parker's suit sought $10 million on behalf of Bennett's family.

Copyright 2000, Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.