Report: 2018 Wildwood Beach Arrest, Made Famous by Video, Settled for $325K

A published report says the City of Wildwood has settled a lawsuit that was filed by a woman after she was arrested on the beach in 2018.

That arrest, which was captured on video, quickly went viral and brought national attention to the seaside resort.

NJ.com reports,

In court documents filed earlier this month, the city’s attorney wrote that Wildwood had agreed to a $325,000 settlement with Emily Weinman after she filed a lawsuit against the city alleging two seasonal police officers had 'brutally and senselessly assaulted' her during a dispute over an unopened alcoholic beverage on the beach.

The Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund approved the settlement.

Weinman’s attorney declined to comment to NJ.com, however, former Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr., who was mayor at the time, said it's a, "travesty and a miscarriage of justice" when speaking of the settlement.

In the incident on May 26, 2018, video shows then 20-year-old Weinman of Philadelphia arguing with Wildwood police officers about alcohol containers on the beach. She can be seen walking away from the officers after she refused to give her last name. She's then seen turning around and putting her hands against an officer's chest. Police say she struck the officer but some believe she was just putting her hands up in a defensive pose after the officer tells her she's, "about to get dropped." The video goes on to show an officer punching Weinman at least twice in the head.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland did not charge the officers, saying,

...I recognize that the video footage has raised a lot of questions regarding the officers’ actions. A decision such as this is not based on emotion; it is based upon applying the proper laws, policies and directives that govern law enforcement. Members of the public should understand that no matter what your opinion is regarding the subject event, it is not based on a full review of the evidence. Ms. Weinman and her attorney are entitled to due process and they have not yet received the information that they will be entitled to as part of the legal process.

Weinman was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault by spitting bodily fluids at/on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction and minor in possession of alcohol. She pleaded guilty to a one disorderly conduct charge last year.

With prior reporting from Dan Alexander and Adam Hochron.