The $20 million figure refers to the maximum Chong and his lawyers would seek.
The top DEA agent in San Diego apologized on Wednesday for Chong's treatment and promised an investigation into how agents could have forgotten about him.
The incident stands out as one of the worst cases of its kind, said Thomas Beauclair, deputy director of the National Corrections Institute, a federal agency that provides training and technical assistance to corrections agencies.
"That is pretty much unheard of," he said, noting that, in his 40-year career, he has heard of instances where people were forgotten overnight but not for days.
A federal law enforcement official familiar with DEA operations said the agency's protocols require that cells be checked each night. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, said the cell where Chong was held is not intended for overnight stays because it does not have a toilet.
Chong said that he went to his friend's house on April 20 to get high. Every April 20, pot smokers light up in a counterculture ritual held around the country at 4:20 pm.
Chong slept there that night and, about 10:50 am the next day, he said, agents stormed into the house as he was rolling a joint at the kitchen table. The raid netted 18,000 ecstasy pills, other drugs and weapons.
Nine people, including Chong, were taken into custody, according to the DEA.
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