Current:Home > MarketsACLU lawsuit details DWI scheme rocking Albuquerque police -ProgressCapital
ACLU lawsuit details DWI scheme rocking Albuquerque police
View
Date:2025-04-18 10:44:44
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A civil rights group is suing the city of Albuquerque, its police department and top officials on behalf of a man who was among those arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and allegedly forced to pay bribes to get the charges dropped.
The DWI scandal already has mired the police department in New Mexico’s largest city in a federal investigation as well as an internal inquiry. One commander has been fired, several others have resigned and dozens of cases have been dismissed.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed the lawsuit late Monday in state district court. It alleges that Police Chief Harold Medina was aware of an agreement between some officers assigned to the DWI Unit and a local attorney’s office to work together to get cases dismissed in exchange for payment.
The police department and the city planned to address the latest allegations in a statement later Wednesday.
The ACLU filed the complaint on behalf of Carlos Sandoval-Smith, saying he was one of dozens of people who were “victimized” as part of the scheme for five years.
“This lawsuit isn’t just about getting justice for me, it’s about stopping this abuse so no one else has to suffer the way I did,” Sandoval-Smith said in a statement Monday. “I lost my business, my home, and my dignity because of APD corruption. It even caused a deep rift in my family that we may never heal from.”
Aside from the internal investigation launched in February by the police department, the FBI is conducting its own inquiry into allegations of illegal conduct. No charges have been filed, and it will be up to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine whether any federal laws were violated.
According to the lawsuit, the officers named in the complaint would refer drunken driving cases to a certain attorney and the officers would agree not to attend pre-trial interviews or testify so the charges would be dismissed.
The lawsuit states that federal authorities first informed the police department in June of 2022 of an alleged attempt by one of the officers to extort $10,000 from a defendant. It goes on to say that in December 2022, the police department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit received a tip that officers in the DWI Unit were being paid to get cases dismissed and were working in collaboration with a local attorney.
The city and the police chief “did not adequately investigate these allegations, if at all, prior to the involvement of federal authorities,” the ACLU alleges in the complaint.
In Sandoval-Smith’s case, he was initially pulled over for speeding in June 2023. The lawsuit alleges an officer unlawfully expanded the scope of the traffic stop by initiating a DUI investigation without reasonable suspicion. Sandoval-Smith was arrested despite performing well on several sobriety tests.
According to the complaint, Sandoval-Smith was directed to a certain attorney, whose legal assistant demanded $7,500 up front as part of the scheme.
Attorney Tom Clear and assistant Rick Mendez also are named as a defendants. A telephone number for the office is no longer in service. An email seeking comment was sent to Clear.
The ACLU’s complaint also points to what it describes as negligent hiring, training and supervision by the police department.
Maria Martinez Sanchez, legal director of the civil rights group, said she hopes the lawsuit results in reforms to dismantle what she described as “systemic corruption” within the law enforcement agency.
veryGood! (393)
Related
- Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
- Brian Austin Green Shares Message to Sharna Burgess Amid Ex Megan Fox's Baby News
- Horoscopes Today, November 10, 2024
- Lou Donaldson, jazz saxophonist who blended many influences, dead at 98
- RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
- The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- As US Catholic bishops meet, Trump looms over their work on abortion and immigration
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- My Little Pony finally hits the Toy Hall of Fame, alongside Phase 10 and Transformers
Ranking
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- Why Cynthia Erivo Needed Prosthetic Ears for Wicked
- Powerball winning numbers for Nov. 9 drawing: Jackpot rises to $92 million
- The Daily Money: Markets react to Election 2024
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Army veteran reunites with his K9 companion, who served with him in Afghanistan
- Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
- Katharine Hayhoe’s Post-Election Advice: Fight Fear, Embrace Hope and Work Together
Recommendation
Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
Sean Diddy Combs' Lawyers File New Motion for Bail, Claiming Evidence Depicts a Consensual Relationship
Why was Jalen Ramsey traded? Dolphins CB facing former team on 'Monday Night Football'
Kid Rock tells fellow Trump supporters 'most of our left-leaning friends are good people'
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Candidates line up for special elections to replace Virginia senators recently elected to US House
Brittany Cartwright Defends Hooking Up With Jax Taylor's Friend Amid Their Divorce
MVSU football player killed, driver injured in crash after police chase