Louisiana Agrees $4.8 Million Ronald Greene Settlement, Ending 2019 Death Suit if Lawmakers Approve
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 13
Louisiana Agrees $4.8 Million Ronald Greene Settlement, Ending 2019 Death Suit if Lawmakers Approve
15 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 13
$4.8 million is the tentative amount Louisiana officials agreed to pay Ronald Greene’s family to settle a federal wrongful-death lawsuit over his 2019 roadside arrest death.
Legislative approval is still required, making the deal provisional even as it would close one of the state’s highest-profile police brutality cases.
Greene, 49, died after a high-speed chase near Monroe; video later showed troopers punching, kicking, stunning and restraining him while he was unarmed, contradicting an initial claim that he crashed into a tree.
The settlement follows a separate $4.85 million agreement with Greene’s daughter and comes after federal prosecutors declined charges in 2025 against the troopers involved.
The case helped spur a 2022 DOJ investigation that found a statewide pattern of excessive force by Louisiana State Police, findings later rescinded under the Trump administration.
When officers face only misdemeanors for a death, does a multi-million dollar payout truly deliver justice?
After a $4.85M settlement, what ensures real accountability and reform within the Louisiana State Police?
The $4.85 Million Ronald Greene Settlement: Police Accountability, Federal Investigation, and the Push for Reform in Louisiana
Overview
The $4.85 million settlement between the Louisiana State Police, Union Parish Sheriff's Office, and Ronald Greene's daughter follows years of controversy after Greene's violent arrest and death in 2019. Associated Press reports revealed that state police often ignored or concealed evidence of misconduct, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a civil rights investigation. This federal probe found that troopers had used excessive force, highlighting systemic problems within the agency. The settlement reflects ongoing efforts to address wrongful death claims and signals the impact of public scrutiny and federal oversight on police accountability in Louisiana.