SETTLEMENT OK'D FOR SHOOTING VICTIM.

Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer

The Los Angeles County Claims Board on Monday approved a $70,000 settlement for a roofer who was shot by sheriff's deputies when they mistook a long-handled hot mop in his hand for a gun.

The incident occurred March 31, 2004, in Torrance, where deputies killed a gunman following a shootout. Ricardo Oliva was repairing the roof of a nearby building, and deputies saw Oliva with what appeared to be a rifle aimed in their direction, Deputy County Counsel Dennis M. Gonzales wrote in claims documents.

The deputies believed Oliva was a sniper involved in the shooting that had just occurred and fired at him, striking him twice in the arm.

Oliva's attorney, Steven Lerman, said Oliva was not holding a hot mop and had laid down on the roof to avoid getting hurt during the shootout between police and the gunman.

``Helicopter personnel were broadcasting to ground personnel, 'Don't shoot. They are roofers.' At some point, it looks like somebody got the message, but by then they put two rounds through my client's arm, narrowly missing his chest,'' Lerman said.

In other action, the board approved:

--A $25,000 settlement for a San Fernando Valley foster child, Ramia S., who was severely wounded in 2001 when she was bitten on the head by a dog while living in a foster home. The foster mother did not report the injury to the social worker and later said the child had fallen down.

--A $40,000 settlement for the Metropolitan News Co., which alleged that the District Attorney's Office used an invalid search warrant in 2001 as part of an investigation into allegations of criminal activity by South Gate public officials.

Troy Anderson, [phone]

troy.anderson(at)dailynews.com