Greene County settles negligence claims in 2004 inmate death

Greene County is paying $7,500 to settle a lawsuit alleging negligence in the 2004 death of an inmate at the county jail.

The son of Steven Perez Sr. of Cairo sued the county, initially seeking $80,000.

County Attorney Carol Stevens says the settlement amount of $7,500 is less than the county would have spent defending itself in court. She maintains that the county wasn't at fault or liable for Perez's death.

The lawsuit named the county, the jail, former Sheriff Richard Hussey and the Sheriff's Office as defendants.

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