The state will pay $50,000 to a woman who was shocked with a Taser by UW Police at a Badgers football game last year under a settlement reached on Tuesday, the woman's attorney said.

Robert Gingras, the attorney for Margaret Hiebing, said the settlement was reached during a mediation session with retired Circuit Judge Angela Bartell, who brokered the deal between Gingras and state Department of Justice attorneys who represented UW Police Sgt. Tamara Kowalski and Detective Peter Grimyser.

Hiebing, 54, sued the officers on Feb. 20, alleging that her civil rights were violated and that police used excessive force during the Oct. 11 game. She said police removed her from the seating area after she sat in an aisle because seats belonging to her and her husband were filled.

Grimyser used the Taser on Hiebing after she had been taken to a concourse area.

"(Hiebing) was very pleased with the settlement," Gingras said. "She thought that she wanted to make a point that this kind of thing should not happen and the settlement accomplished that. She was never in the litigation for the money, but to make a point on the basis of principle."

Justice Department spokesman Bill Cosh said the case "was settled in the state's best interest."

Accounts differ between the Hiebings and UW Police as to what led to the use of the Taser, but police said Hiebing continued to struggle with officers after being removed from the seating area. The settlement contains no admission of wrongdoing on the part of police, Gingras said.

Hiebing is the wife of Roman Hiebing, 65, a retired advertising executive. He was not a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Gingras said the Hiebings continue to attend football games and were at last weekend's season-opening win against Northern Illinois.

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