A gun dealer who successfully sued Nassau County for false arrest and malicious prosecution may have deserved significant damages, but not to the tune of $5 million, said a judge who shaved the jury award to about 20 percent of its original amount.
Viewing the payment of $3 million in compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages to Martin Tretola and Marbles Enterprises as excessive, given the case’s circumstances and case law on acceptable damage amounts, Eastern District Judge Denis Hurley (See Profile) slashed the total determination to $935,605—$760,605 for compensatory damages and $175,000 for punitive damages.
