NYC's comptroller Scott Stringer.
NYC's comptroller isn't waiting around for the Garner family to
file a lawsuit:
The effort, if successful, would avert what would quite likely be a long and bitter trial in federal court. At the same time, settling the case at an early juncture — months before Mr. Garner’s family is expected even to file their lawsuit — would effectively push the administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio out of the process.
The move is part of Mr. Stringer’s novel strategy to settle major civil rights claims before lawsuits are formally filed; he said he hoped to save taxpayer dollars and bring “closure” to claimants and their families.
While the comptroller's office is not normally involved at such early stages, Mr. Stringer said he was hoping to make a difference:
“We came here not to kick the can down the road, not to sit back and let the Law Department litigate and I’ll sign what’s ever put in front of me,” Mr. Stringer said. “We have an opportunity to make the system better, so why not do it?”
If it brings some sense of justice to the families and potentially saves the city millions (or tens of millions) in legal fees and fines, sounds like the best for all involved.