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Woman sues deputy over '02 arrest

By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published August 17, 2006

TAMPA - A Valrico woman is suing a Hillsborough sheriff's deputy, saying her civil rights were violated when she was physically restrained by the law enforcement officer after she cursed at him and called him names.

Mary Beth Mazar filed suit in federal court Wednesday charging that on Aug. 31, 2002, she drove to the site of her minor son's arrest after being told that the vehicle her son had would be impounded if she didn't come get it.

"You've got nothing better to do than to ruin people's lives," Mazar told Deputy Daniel Brock, also using expletives when addressing him, according to the lawsuit.

After she repeated the sentiment more than once, the suit says, Brock threatened to arrest her.

Then, according to the lawsuit:

Brock followed Mazar as she drove to her home a few blocks away. Mazar entered her home and Brock then forced his way in, pulled Mazar's hands behind her back, shoved her in a corner and sprayed pepper spray in her face twice.

Then, Mazar's 12-year-old daughter walked into the room dressed in her pajamas and told the deputy to leave her mother alone.

The suit alleges that Brock shoved Mazar out to her concrete driveway, where he pushed her onto her stomach, drove his knee into her back and kept her in the position for 15 to 20 minutes.

Mazar's attorney, David Chalela, said she was charged at the time with driving under the influence. The lawsuit claims a blood-alcohol test showed Mazar was not intoxicated. Meanwhile, Mazar's daughter was held in her pajamas for 12 hours and, Chalela said, charged with obstruction of justice.

Mazar has since had her arrest record expunged, Chalela said, and her criminal history appears to be clean.

"Our theory of the case is that (Brock) basically wanted to show her who was boss, and he wanted to teach her a lesson," Chalela said.

Also listed on the complaint is Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee.

Debbie Carter, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

[Last modified August 17, 2006, 06:35:13]