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Orange Man Shot By Ore. Deputy Plans To File Lawsuit

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A California man shot by a sheriff's deputy in Oregon has notified the Washington County sheriff's office that he plans to file a lawsuit.

The Oregonian reports that 49-year-old Leonard Salanitro of Orange, Calif., was shot once in the abdomen by Deputy Patrick Altiere on Sept. 21 while Salanitro was visiting longtime friends in suburban Portland.

Salanitro's attorney, Michael Wise, said he also plans to file a lawsuit on behalf of the friends, Dale and Sue Anne Fortune.

Wise questioned why deputies would shoot an unarmed man in his underwear while investigating a minor property crime.

The sheriff's office has accused Salanitro of attacking the deputy. But a spokesman said the sheriff cannot comment on pending litigation.

The shooting is under review to determine whether deadly force was justified.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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