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Tampa Man Files Lawsuit Against Ybor City Nightclub

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By NADIRA KHARMAI

Published: June 28, 2008

A Tampa man has filed a lawsuit against Club Prana, claiming that his jaw was broken by a bouncer and other employees of the popular Ybor City nightclub.

In his suit, filed June 26, Gerald DeWitt said he was at Club Prana on Jan. 13 when five of its employees put him in a choke hold, causing him to pass out. He claims that while he was passed out, the employees then beat his head and body..

DeWitt said he was with six friends having drinks on the second floor of the VIP section at the nightclub.

When bouncers asked some of his friends to leave, they left without complaint and DeWitt stayed back, said Hans Grieble, DeWitt's attorney.

Club employees Anthony Velasquez, Joseph Matthew Ogilby, Robert Allen Riordian, and Edwin Rodriguez – who are all named in the suit as defendants - told police that DeWitt and his friends were asked to leave for security reasons and the safety of guests, according to the suit.

After placing DeWitt in a choke hold, the defendants beat him in the head, breaking his jaw, according to the suit. They then kicked DeWitt, who was on the ground and defenseless, according to the suit.

As a result, DeWitt suffered permanent jaw and teeth injuries. He has lost hours at work, earns a reduced income, and continues to pay for medical, hospitalization, transportation, and physical therapy expenses.

Club Prana did not return phone calls seeking comment.

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