Business Owner Faces Losses After SWAT Raid; City Exempt from Damages [Los Angeles, CA]

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 27, 2024) — In a controversial ruling, a North Hollywood business owner, Carlos Peña, has been left to shoulder the financial burden caused by a SWAT team raid, following a judge’s decision exempting the City of Los Angeles from liability. 

The incident, which happened on August 4, 2022, saw Peña’s print shop, a venture nearing its 30th anniversary, severely damaged in the pursuit of a federal fugitive by U.S. Marshals and the LAPD’s SWAT team.

Peña’s business suffered extensive contamination due to the use of tear gas, affecting printers, ink, and merchandise, leading to an estimated loss of $60,000 in equipment and wages. 

Efforts to claim damages were twice rejected by the U.S. Marshals, and insurance coverage fell short, prompting legal action against the city. However, a federal judge ruled that governmental actions taken during criminal investigations exempt the city from compensating for the damages incurred.

The aftermath of the SWAT raid damage has seen Peña, deeply frustrated and feeling defenseless, moving operations to his garage, with the business experiencing an 80% downturn. This scenario has eroded his trust in governmental support during crises, especially poignant given that the fugitive was not apprehended during the raid.