‘Live PD’ Arrest Leads to $2.5 Million Civil Rights Payout

A Texas county agreed on Tuesday to pay $2.5 million to settle allegations that a SWAT team arrest was staged for the benefit of the A&E reality show “Live PD.”

Gary Watsky argued in court that deputies did not have a warrant in May 2019 when they broke down his front and back doors, deployed a “flash-bang” grenade, and swarmed his house. Watsky was held at gunpoint, according to his lawsuit, searched, and brought outside, where he saw a TV cameraman and was informed that the search was being filmed for “Live PD.”

The deputies were there to arrest Watsky’s son, Asher, who had appeared in court earlier that day on another charge. The suit alleged that Asher Watsky could easily have been taken into custody peacefully at the courthouse, but that the deputies chose to stage a dramatic and violent raid because it made for better television.

The Commissioners Court of Williamson County approved the $2.5 million settlement on a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, without public discussion. The settlement was first reported by KVUE, the Austin-based ABC affiliate.

The incident, which was initially uncovered by KVUE, was one of a series of abuses stemming from the county sheriff’s relationship with “Live PD.” In March 2019, Javier Ambler died after a pursuit, when deputies repeatedly hit him with a Taser as he told them he could not breathe and had a heart condition. Two deputies were charged with manslaughter, but were acquitted at trial.

The sheriff, Robert Chody, was also indicted for allegedly covering up the incident by arranging for the “Live PD” footage to be destroyed. The county agreed to pay $5 million to Ambler’s family, the largest settlement in county history, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Chody lost his bid for re-election in 2020.

The Watsky lawsuit accused Chody and his deputies “saw themselves as actors for entertainment on this television series.”

“Various deputies basked in the limelight of the accolades that come with the fame and status of aspiring celebrities,” the suit alleged, which created motivation to heighten the drama for the show. According to the suit, Chody would tweet out invitations to view the latest “Live PD” episode at the local movie theater.

Williamson County sought to cancel its contract with “Live PD” in August 2019, following complaints about its effects on law enforcement, and amid fears that the show would lead to higher insurance premiums. However, according to the county, Chody continued to permit filming behind the county’s back. The county sued him in 2020 to seek a court declaration that the contract was canceled.

“Blinded by the TV lights, Sheriff Chody has lost sight of his core duties as Sheriff of Williamson County,” the county’s lawyers said at the time. “His job is sheriff, not TV producer, reality TV star or show business agent.”

“Live PD” was canceled by A&E in 2020, amid the protests following the murder of George Floyd. “On Patrol: Live,” a show with the same format from the same producers, now airs on Reelz.