CERES – The city has paid $312,500 to settle a lawsuit that alleges one of its officers broke a handcuffed woman’s arm as he slammed her against a police car.

Modesto-area resident Yesenia Jimenez sued Ceres and police Officer Frederico Ortiz in federal court in July 2013, claiming, among other things, civil rights violations, assault and battery, and false arrest. Jimenez was represented by San Francisco attorney Sanjay Schmidt.

Ceres admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement and denied the allegations in court filings. The filings also claim that because the police acted in good faith and without malice and with the reasonable belief its actions were legal, the city is legally protected.