A Texas county has agreed to pay over $2 million after being accused of staging a SWAT team raid for a reality TV show. Gary Watsky claimed in court that the May 2019 raid on his home was unnecessary and not based on a warrant for his son, Ash Watsky. According to Watsky, deputies used non-lethal “flash bang” grenades, broke down doors, and filled the house with SWAT officers to make the raid more dramatic for TV coverage.
Gary was allegedly held at gunpoint, searched, and taken outside, where he saw TV cameras and learned that the arrest was being filmed for the now-canceled show Live PD. His lawsuit claimed his son was also slammed against a wall and handcuffed, accused of hitting his roommate with a shovel.
The lawsuit targeted Williamson County, former Sheriff Robert Chody, former lieutenant Mark Luera, former commander Steve Deaton, and other deputies. Watsky argued he was injured during the arrest and suffered a panic attack due to the public humiliation. He also stated that his son could have been arrested earlier when he appeared in court on different charges.
On October 15, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office agreed to settle for $2.5 million for the SWAT raid at Watsky’s Cedar Park home. The settlement was approved by county officials with a four-to-one vote, with no public discussion.
Watsky’s attorney, Brad Vison, suggested that Sheriff Chody played a larger role in orchestrating the raid. Speaking to Fox 7, Vison said court witnesses indicated that the warrant may have been removed from the system, suggesting it had been active but was hidden to make the TV arrest more dramatic.