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Kentucky man unlikely to receive settlement from Klan leader
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March 24, 2012
Louisville, Kentucky: In 2006 a Kentucky man of Latino descent was beaten at a fair by area Ku Klux Klan members.[1][2] In 2008 Jordan Gruver, the victim of the attack, was awarded $2.5 million by a jury. Ron Edwards, former grand wizard of the Imperial Klans of America in Dawson Springs, and one other member of the Klan responsible for the beating were ordered to pay the settlement.
While one member settled out of court with Gruver, Edwards began a four year appeal process that culminated last Thursday.[1][2] The Kentucky Supreme Court declined to hear Edwards' appeal, thus paving the way for Gruver to seek the $1.3 million he was awarded. However, it is unlikely that Gruver will receive much, or any, money from Edwards, as he is currently in prison serving a four-year sentence for unrelated charges, and his attorney claims that he has no assets.[1] Gruver will be able to place liens on any assets Edwards does have and garnish Edwards' future earnings, after he is released from prison, but that tactic may push Edwards to bankruptcy, making him essentially "judgement proof."[1]
Gruver was only a teenager at the time of the attack, and the beating resulted in a broken jaw, permanent damage to his left arm, and emotional distress.[1]
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