Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Woman Hogtied and Kicked By CHP Officers While Pregnant Paid $250K in Damages
(
Chris Yarzab
/
LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
)
In August 2011, Tamara Gaglione was pulled over on the Harbor Freeway by officers with the California Highway Patrol because she was talking on her cellphone. Instead of a calm exchange and a ticket issued, however, Gaglione ended up tossed to the ground, kicked, and hogtied, even after she'd told officers she was pregnant. Now Gaglione has been awarded $250,000 in damages for the violent incident.
Gaglione's traffic stop and arrest were captured on video via a camera mounted on the dashboard of the CHP vehicle, according to the L.A. Times. The video shows Gaglione pulling over to the shoulder, and being ordered out of the car. The footage shows Gaglione as she "stands and stares at the patrolmen, appearing confused."
In their report, officers say Gaglione "appeared to raise her arms in a menacing manner." The L.A. Times describes the ensuing action as seen in the video:
Guns drawn, the officers approach the driver, and one of the patrolmen sweeps away her legs with a kick and pushes her face-first to the asphalt. Another officer then presses his knee into the woman's back and pins her to the ground. At another point, it appears the woman is kicked in her left ribs. Eventually she is hogtied and placed in a squad car.
Support for LAist comes from
The CHP have not commented on the $250,000 awarded to Gaglione. Both arresting officers involved in the Gaglione incident remain on the force. Gaglione has since moved away from Los Angeles and is the mother of a 9-month-old son.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist