From a bag of fajitas, a $33M suit
Ex-police chief sues San Francisco over prosecution
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SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) -- San Francisco's former police chief has filed a $33 million claim against the city, charging that his prosecution in a scandal known as "Fajitagate" violated his civil rights and ruined his reputation, his lawyer said Thursday.
Former chief Earl Sanders faced conspiracy charges to obstruct justice that stemmed from a late-night brawl involving three off-duty officers and two citizens over a bag of fajitas.
The three officers were indicted for their roles in the brawl and Sanders, along with other top police officials, was indicted on cover-up charges -- a move that led many to criticize the district attorney for prosecuting the department's top brass on scant evidence.
Sanders' attorney, Charles Bonner, said his claim charges the city violated the former chief's right to due process and it accuses the city and its former top prosecutor of false arrest, false imprisonment and defamation of character.
"We are seeking the money to repair the stellar reputation of Chief Sanders," Bonner said. "We are claiming his civil rights were violated."
A representative for the city attorney's office could not be reached for comment.
Bonner added if the city denies the $33 million claim, he will file a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of the former chief, who was declared factually innocent and formally cleared by a court. Sanders retired last year.
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