CORONADO – Coronado incurred more than $1.1 million in legal fees and other expenses, in addition to the $5.5 million settlement reached with former Chargers linebacker Steve Foley, who was shot by an off-duty policeman, in his lawsuit against the city.
But the total out-of-pocket costs to the city totaled $100,000, its deductible with its insurance company, San Diego Pooled Insurance Program Authority, according to records obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune.
In addition to general coverage, the city also purchased an extra layer of protection in the form of excess insurance that pays for claims valued at more than $2 million.
“The way the settlement played out, the city had legal expenses to back when the incident occurred,” Leslie Suelter, director of administrative services, said. “We've been paying those. The city advanced the money and got reimbursed by (the insurance company) for all but $100,000.”
The two-week civil trial ended abruptly July 2, the day Foley was scheduled to testify. Foley sued the city after being followed and shot Sept. 3, 2006, by Coronado Police Officer Aaron Mansker during a confrontation with Mansker near Foley's Poway home. The incident ended his football career.
Foley sought unspecified damages, contending that Mansker acted contrary to his training and violated Coronado police policy. Foley pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge and was placed on five years' probation.
Mansker was cleared of any criminal charges related to the shooting by an internal investigation and the District Attorney's Office, and remains on duty as a Coronado police officer.
The agreement calls for the city to pay Foley $1.2 million 30 days after he signed the agreement July 7. Fifty percent of the remaining amount will be paid in October and the other 50 percent in November.

Janine Zuniga: (619) 498-6636;
janine.zuniga@uniontrib.com