City settles cop sex case near $600K

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The City of Albuquerque will pay big to settle a lawsuit filed against one of its police officers by a woman who charged she was raped while in custody.

Albuquerque City Attorney's Office agreed to pay Sylvia Córdova $575,000.

In October 2007 Córdova was fleeing from Albuquerque police in a stolen car when she crashed into a tree. She had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.

Officer David Maes was assigned to guard her at the hospital where he's accused of fondling her and himself.

Córdova also said he took her to an Albuquerque baseball field and raped her twice.

"Everything was happening so fast, I wanted to run, I wanted to hit him" Córdova told KRQE News 13 during an interview in April.

DNA proved the two had sex, but Maes argued it was consensual.

Córdova filed a civil lawsuit against Maes, but because the officer was on duty at the time the city carried the potential liability. It agreed to pay up rather than take the case to trial.

"We believe we know who did the act, and the goal was that she would not have the get on the stand and re-victimize herself by having to tell the story in front of a jury," Deputy City Attorney Katheryn Levy said.

As part of the settlement, Córdova will drop her civil lawsuit against Maes. The city also bought an annuity for Córdova which will provide monthly payments for years to come.

Maes resigned from the Albuquerque Police Department in December 2007. He still faces criminal charges of rape and kidnapping and is scheduled to go to trial in September.