Private contract guards hired by the Social Security Administration assaulted a man, fracturing his hand, and maliciously prosecuted him because he clipped his fingernails while waiting in the Social Security office, the man claims in Federal Court.

Leon Bailey sued Securitas Security Services, Paragon Systems, and the four guards who allegedly assaulted him. He claims defendant John Robinson Jr. started the fracas by ordering him to stop clipping his fingernails as he waited in the Seattle office. Bailey says he complied, and "put away his clippers and began pushing the cuticles back," which apparently enraged Robinson, who ordered him to leave.

Bailey said he did leave, though he had unfinished business to transact in the office. He says Robinson followed him to the street, and enlisted the help of three other men, also security guards, who struck him with a baton, fracturing his hand, forced him to the ground, handcuffed him and arrested him. They charged him with four offenses, which were dismissed.

Bailey demands punitive damages for constitutional violations, negligence, and malicious prosecution. He is represented by Patrick Kang with the Premier Law Group.