NEW ORLEANS — The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana and the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center announced that they have reached a financial settlement for Wesley Pigott and his children. The agreement offers resolve to the family after Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Gintz pulled a gun on them.
“Securing a settlement for the Pigott family is the correct outcome,” said Rebecca Ramaswamy, senior staff attorney, SPLC. “Officer Gintz created a dangerous, traumatic situation, and this resolution will help the Pigotts move forward.”
ACLU of Louisiana’s Justice Lab and the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center first filed the complaint in April 2021 after Gintz drove an unmarked truck and followed the Pigott family for several miles and into a parking lot. After Pigott stopped his car, Gintz got out of the unmarked truck and approached the family’s vehicle with his weapon drawn. The traumatic event caused the children to suffer long-term emotional distress and nightmares.
“After far too long, justice has been secured for Mr. Pigott and his family,” said Nora Ahmed, legal director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “This case serves as proof that standing up to law enforcement overreach is possible. And while justice may have been delayed, the Pigotts’ determination ensured that it was not denied.”
In August 2023, the SPLC joined the case as co-counsel. The Pigotts filed an appeal after the district court dismissed their claims against Gintz, but the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed the lower court’s decision, finding that aiming a gun at the Pigotts when they were unarmed and cooperating was an excessive use of force and not protected by qualified immunity.
“The Pigotts have fought for justice for five years, sharing their story again and again,” said Delia Addo-Yobo, senior staff attorney at the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center. “They have been staunch advocates – not only standing up for one another, but for other victims of police brutality whose cases don’t make it through the courts.”
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.
About the ACLU of Louisiana
The ACLU of Louisiana leads the charge to protect the civil rights and liberties of Louisianians, especially those most marginalized and historically harmed. True to our founding during the Civil Rights Movement, we are fearless in the face of intimidation and work tirelessly to protect and empower Louisiana’s Black, Brown, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities. We are part of a nationwide network of affiliates working in courts, legislatures and communities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
About the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
The Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that works across the courtroom, the boardroom and the classroom to build a more just and peaceful world. Inspired by the legacies of Sen. Robert and Ethel Kennedy, we work with international and domestic partners to protect fundamental human rights. We pursue strategic litigation to hold governments accountable at home and around the world, foster a social good approach to business, and train the next generation of changemakers through our human rights education programs.