Woman in crazy Wildwood beach arrest agrees to $325K settlement

WILDWOOD — This Jersey Shore city has settled a federal lawsuit filed by a Philadelphia woman whose arrest was captured on video in 2018.

According to court records, Wildwood agreed to a $325,000 settlement with Emily Weinman, NJ.com reported Monday.

Weinman alleged that the two seasonal police officers “brutally and senselessly assaulted” her during the arrest over an unopened alcoholic beverage.

The lawsuit alleges that the officers exaggerated how much Weinman was resisting in order to justify the use of force.

In the video, Weinman can be heard screaming, “They’re choking me! I cannot breathe.”

Weinman, who was 20 at the time, was charged with assault, resisting arrest, throwing bodily fluids, disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. She pleaded guilty to a single disorderly conduct charge and was banned from Wildwood for a year.

Weinman’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, declined to comment.

Mayor Pete Byron said in an email Monday that he had just found out about the settlement.

“This was done by the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund which represents the city in city-related lawsuits,” Byron said. “I have no further comment.”

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