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LAPD say officer cooperating with corruption probe

In this story: Three recent arrests News conference scheduled RELATED STORIES, SITES

CNN's Charles Feldman

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A former Los Angeles police officer is cooperating with state and federal officials in what could be the breakthrough authorities have sought to jump-start an otherwise-stalled corruption probe, CNN has learned.

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Various sources say the Rampart Division officer is likely to provide information that backs up aspects of what former officer Rafael Perez has alleged about officers in the division, involving everything from planting evidence to robbery, beatings and shooting unarmed innocent suspects.

Perez is a former officer who has made allegations about widespread police misconduct in return for leniency after his arrest for the theft of cocaine from a police evidence locker.

Three recent arrests

Most recently, according to the Los Angeles Times, allegations by Perez led to the arrest last Friday of three former police officers in connection with the 1998 beating of a reputed gang member and an ensuing cover-up.

Charges were filed against Shawn Gomez, Manuel Chavez and Ethan Cohan, the Times reported, citing sealed court documents. As part of confidential agreements, Gomez pleaded no contest to filing a false police report in connection with the incident, and Chavez pleaded no contest to assault, the Times reported. The two men, who have resigned, were released on their own recognizance and scheduled to be sentenced in July.

An arrest warrant was issued for Cohan, who is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, perjury, filing a false police report and conspiracy, the newspaper said.

No connection has been made between the case against the three former officers and the breakthrough cited by authorities.

News conference scheduled

For federal officials, the breakthrough marks their first case involving an officer from the division's troubled former anti-drug and anti-gang division. Sources said they hope to add a significant new voice to Perez's testimony, bolstering his contention that a culture of corruption grew within the Los Angeles Police Department.

A joint news conference involving the U.S. Attorney's office, FBI, and Los Angeles County District Attorney's office is expected Friday afternoon.

Perez's allegations have led to state charges against eight officers, including an attempted murder charge against his former partner Nino Durden. The scandal has led to more than 100 criminal convictions being overturned and the city of Los Angeles signing a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department requiring federal oversight of the police department's management and training policies.

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September 20, 2000

The Los Angeles Police Department
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