HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-25-0511City of Miami
Resolution R-25-0511
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18480 Final Action Date: 12/11/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY HANNIBAL BURESS, WITHOUT
ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE TOTAL SUM OF $200,000.00 IN FULL AND
COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS,
INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS, AGAINST
LUIS VERNE IN THE CASE STYLED HANNIBAL BURESS VS. LUIS VERNE,
PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, CASE NO. 20-CV-23078-KMW, UPON THE
EXECUTION OF A GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
BROUGHT UNDER 42 U.S.C. § 1983 AND STATE LAW PENDING IN
FEDERAL COURT AND A DISMISSAL OF LUIS VERNE WITH PREJUDICE;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO.
50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
WHEREAS, on December 9, 2017, Hannibal Buress ("Buress") was arrested by Officer
Luis Verne that resulted in alleged damages to Buress; and
WHEREAS, Buress and Luis Verne are engaged in litigation in United States District
Court in the Southern District of Florida, Case No.: 1:20-CV-23078-KMW, concerning claims for
alleged violations of Civil Rights and state law tort claims related to same; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's Office has investigated these claims and the lawsuit
pursuant to Sections 18-221 through 18-232 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as
amended, and recommends that said claims and lawsuit be settled for the total aggregate sum
of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00), including the claims for attorneys' fees and
costs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Director of Finance is authorized to pay Buress, without admission of
liability, the total sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) in full and complete
settlement of any and all claims and demands, including all claims for attorneys' fees, against
Luis Verne in the case styled Hannibal Buress vs. Luis Verne, pending in the United States
District Court in the Southern District of Florida, Case No.: 1:20-CV-23078-KMW, upon the
1 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all legal requirements that may be
imposed, including but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code
provisions.
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 18480 (Revision:) Printed On: 12/15/2025
File ID: 18480 Enactment Number: R-25-0511
execution of a general release of all claims and demands brought for alleged violations of civil
rights, state law tort claims pending in federal court and a dismissal of Luis Verne with prejudice.
Section 3. Funds to be allocated from Account No. 50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 18480 (Revision:) Printed on: 12/15/2025