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Washoe County To Pay $100K To Settle Jail Death Lawsuit

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Western Nevada officials have agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a frequent Reno gambler who died in county jail in 2015.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reportsWashoe County commissioners approved the settlement Tuesday for the suit filed after Thomas Purdy's death in a jail cell.

Purdy had stopped breathing following a struggle with Peppermill casino security guards and Reno police officers who arrested him on trespassing charges in 2015. He continued to struggle against Washoe County deputies who tried to remove his restraints at the jail.

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The father of Thomas Purdy settled earlier this year with the Peppermill casino for $50,000 and the city of Reno for $25,000.

An investigation by Sparks police found no criminal wrongdoing by authorities.