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LAPD officer fired in corruption scandal

From CNN Producer Stanley Wilson

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A Los Angeles police officer and former partner of informant Rafael Perez was fired as a result of corruption charges involving Perez, authorities said.

Police Chief Bernard Parks terminated officer Humberto Tovar Wednesday after a three-month administrative trial, according to police spokesman John Pasquariello.

Perez accused Tovar of helping frame Toby Semick, a suspected gang member, on marijuana charges in 1996, according to police documents. In that incident, Tovar and Perez are suspected of planting marijuana on Semick after arresting him on a gun possession charge, documents said.

After pleading guilty to felony drug possession charges, Semick served 16 months in prison, according to court documents.

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Perez, who is cooperating with authorities following a plea agreement on felony cocaine thefts, has admitted participating in and witnessing unjustified shootings, evidence planting, falsified arrest reports and perjury.

In a statement to the police department, attorney Richard Macias denied that Tovar routinely engaged in corruption.

"Officer Tovar has protected the residents of Los Angeles for seven years. You have concluded that on one day, out of the 2,500 days he has been a member of department, Officer Tovar was imperfect," he said.

"Even in the worst possible light, he has been a great police officer, except, supposedly, when he had the misfortune to work with Rafael Perez, whom you accurately described as 'despicable,'" Macias said.

Since the corruption probe expanded in September, at least 35 officers have been relieved of duty, fired or quit as a result of the investigation. About 70 officers remain under investigation while five officers face felony criminal charges.

To date, nearly 98 felony criminal convictions have been overturned as a result of the corruption probe.

Judge refuses to lower bail for LAPD officer accused of attempted murder
August 4, 2000
LAPD officers face administrative charges in controversial shooting
July 26, 2000
CNN's Charles Feldman reports on the LAPD corruption scandal
July 18, 2000

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