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Massachusetts State Police settle Karen Read civil suit for $100,000 over misconduct claims
Karen Read's civil lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police, which alleged negligence and misconduct in the investigation of her boyfriend's death, has been settled for $100,000. Read, who was acquitted of murder but convicted of drunken driving, continues her separate lawsuit against the town of Canton.
The Massachusetts State Police have agreed to pay Karen Read $100,000 to settle her civil lawsuit alleging misconduct and negligence in the investigation into the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
Read's lawsuit specifically named former state police trooper Michael Proctor, who was involved in the high-profile investigation. The settlement resolves her claims against the state police but does not affect her separate lawsuit against the town of Canton, which remains ongoing.
In a court filing, Read's lawyer stated that while she believes her claims are valid, she agreed to the settlement to avoid duplicative litigation, as she is pursuing similar claims in other lawsuits. "Therefore, to avoid somewhat duplicative and inefficient litigation, she consents to dismissal of those claims upon entry of judgment against MSP on her remaining claims in the amount of $100,000," the documents said.
The settlement marks another chapter in a case that has drawn intense public scrutiny and raised questions about the conduct of law enforcement. Read was initially accused of backing her vehicle into O'Keefe and killing him, but she was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges. She was convicted of drunken driving.
The $100,000 payment is a fraction of what a full trial might have cost the state police, but it represents a significant acknowledgment of the seriousness of Read's allegations. The settlement allows the state police to avoid further litigation while Read continues her pursuit of claims against the town of Canton.
For local residents, the settlement underscores ongoing concerns about accountability and transparency in law enforcement investigations. The case has also highlighted the importance of independent oversight in high-stakes criminal proceedings.
Read's legal team has not commented beyond the court filing. The Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.