One day after Snohomish County announced a legal settlement over an inmate's death in jail, it became clear the deal isn't actually signed and the Sheriff's Office didn't disclose the full amount of the payment.
Michael Saffioti, 22, died in custody in 2012 after turning himself in for a misdemeanor warrant related to marijuana possession.
He suffered from severe allergies and died after eating the breakfast he was served in the jail.
Surveillance video shows Saffioti questioning the food and trying to get help in his cell when he fell sick.
Saffioti's mother, Rose, sued, alleging jail officials knew about Michael's allergies, did nothing to protect him and ignored his pleas for help.
"Nothing will ever bring my son back, I miss him so much, but to know what he went through in his final moments, that's what haunts me," Rose Saffioti told KIRO 7 in 2014.
Monday, after a legal settlement was discussed at a county council meeting, Sheriff Ty Trenary's office issued a news release, which quotes him as saying, "To own up for our mistakes and to cover litigation costs, the county has paid $620,000 in this settlement."
But when payments from insurance companies covering the county and its jail food vendor are included, the payout is $2.4 million.
"One has to question why here there is an attempt to mislead," said Cheryl Snow, Saffioti's attorney.
More crucially, Snow said her clients haven't signed the agreement.
A copy of the agreement KIRO 7 received through a records request has no signatures at all.
"There are questions in our mind about whether or not we have an agreement," Snow said.
Sheriff's spokesperson Shari Ireton told KIRO 7 she followed the advice of county attorneys in writing the news release and the insurance payouts did not involve her office.
"It was not my intent to hide anything," Ireton said. "I can't speak for any other parts of the agreement."
"The action by the sheriff yesterday was very hurtful, very harmful to the Saffioti family," Snow said.
She said the family is now reviewing its options.
KIRO
