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Former Financial Advisor Wrongly Accused Of Bank Robbery Fights To Win Life Back

By Karen Morfitt

DENVER (CBS4) - A Denver man is suing police and the FBI for $10 million claiming he was wrongfully arrested and that excessive force was used.

In September 2014 police received a tip that the man seen in surveillance photos was 46-year-old Steve Talley.

talley-lineup
(credit: Denver court documents)

"I had airtight alibis' but they focused on me all because my face was similar, even though everything else was different," Talley told CBS4.

Steve Talley
Steve Talley (credit: CBS)

That information is what ultimately led a full SWAT team to Talley's home where he was taken into custody.

"They body slammed me down. I had, I don't know, five or six people on me. One guy was on my face, several men were taking my arms and just wrenching them behind me," he said.

He suffered several broken ribs, prolonged bruising, he lost teeth and now has severe blood clotting in his legs and feet.

lawsuit
(credit: CBS)

Outside of the physical damage, Talley spent months behind bars, despite having a solid alibi.

"My job was to be on the phone all day. That was my job, to sell mutual funds ... and talking to other financial advisors," he said.

At the time Talley was working for Transamerica Capital as a financial analyst. He was closely monitored throughout the day.

talley-lineup
(credit: Denver court documents)

"I knew they were going to have a recorded conversation because I was on the phone all day and ... sure enough," Talley said.

The case was dismissed, but months later police arrested him a second time claiming they had new evidence.

Steve Talley
Steve Talley (credit: Denver DA)

The second case brought against him was also dropped and he was never convicted of the crime.

Talley says by then the damage to his life had already been done.

"They destroyed my life, to go from a financial professional to be a person that's actually homeless now."

Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.

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