City of Alameda reaches settlement with the family of Mario Gonzalez

Published on December 14, 2023

The City of Alameda, through its membership in the California Joint Powers Risk Management Authority (CJPRMA), reached two separate settlements: the first would pay $11 million to the estate/son of Mario Gonzalez, and the second would pay $350,000 to Mario Gonzalez’s mother, following Mr. Gonzalez’s death in police custody on April 19, 2021. Consistent with the City’s CJPRMA membership, the settlement, once finalized, will be funded by CJPRMA, which worked with the City to manage the litigation and controls the settlement funds.

CJPRMA is a public entity, made up exclusively of public entities and is dedicated to the protection of its member entities, and their respective tax payers, from catastrophic liability and other financial liabilities. Member cities include Alameda, Chico, Fairfield, Fremont, Livermore, Lodi, Petaluma, Redding, Richmond, Roseville, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Stockton, Sunnyvale, Vacaville, and a number of other smaller cities.

The separate settlement agreements with the estate of Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. Gonzalez’s mother, both of which are in the process of being finalized, are expected to provide that payment shall fully and forever discharge and release all claims and causes of action. The parties further agreed that the settlement shall not be construed as an admission by any party of liability or of any fact that might give rise to liability for any purpose.

Previous press releases and additional information released by the City are available at www.alamedaca.gov/121423release.

The City of Alameda remains committed to full transparency and accountability in the tragic death of Mario Gonzalez and extends our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.