Judge Approves $3.3 Million Denver Jail-Abuse Settlement

DENVER (AP) — A federal judge has accepted a $3.3 million settlement offer from the city of Denver to a former inmate who claims a deputy encouraged other inmates to beat him.

Court documents filed Friday show U.S. District Judge John Kane has approved the settlement in Jamal Hunter's civil case, which still requires City Council's acceptance. Kane's order says only that he is satisfied that the agreement is an "appropriate resolution" of the suit.

Hunter says a deputy ignored his screams while inmates attacked him and scalded his genitals with hot water in July 2011. Cameras captured another deputy choking Hunter 12 days later. His allegations were so serious Kane asked the Department of Justice to investigate.

The payout is considered the largest in Denver history to settle a civil rights case.