A new Florida law, effective July 1st, has severely curtailed the operations of civilian review boards overseeing law enforcement misconduct investigations. The law mandates law enforcement-led investigations, restricts civilian board oversight, and requires at least one retired law enforcement officer on each panel. This has led to the dissolution or suspension of at least 15 boards across the state, despite arguments that such boards build community trust and improve police-community relations. Supporters of the law contend it ensures consistency in investigations and avoids discouraging police applicants. However, critics argue the law undermines accountability and damages community trust.
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Federal agents, alongside the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, executed search warrants at multiple locations, including the home of former NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, as part of a joint investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and extortion. Maddrey, who resigned after being accused of demanding sexual favors from a subordinate in exchange for overtime opportunities, denies any wrongdoing, claiming a consensual relationship. These actions follow similar investigations into other high-ranking NYPD officials and are part of a broader inquiry into alleged misconduct within the department. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is also involved in investigating these serious allegations.
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Matthew Muller, the man dubbed the “Gone Girl” kidnapper after his 2015 guilty plea for the kidnapping and sexual assault of Denise Huskins, now faces new charges related to earlier home invasions. These charges, announced by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, stem from two separate incidents in 2009.
The first incident, occurring on September 29th, 2009, allegedly involved Muller breaking into a woman’s Mountain View home. He bound her, forced her to consume a mixture of medications, and threatened to rape her. The woman, however, managed to dissuade him, and Muller ultimately fled after suggesting she get a dog for protection.… Continue reading
Following an FBI investigation into the February 2023 arrest and beating of Emmett Brock, a transgender man, eight Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, including several sergeants, have been dismissed. Deputy Joseph Benza III pleaded guilty to a felony charge of deprivation of rights under color of law, admitting to fabricating parts of his report and coordinating the deletion of evidence with colleagues. All charges against Brock have been dropped, and a federal civil rights lawsuit against the county and involved deputies is pending. Benza faces a maximum of ten years in prison.
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Retired Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Shane Lamond was found guilty on all four counts—obstruction of justice and three counts of making false statements—for leaking confidential information to Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys. The evidence presented showed Lamond tipped off Tarrio about an impending arrest warrant and exchanged messages with him regarding the January 6th Capitol riot. Lamond’s defense, that he did not provide Tarrio with sensitive information, was rejected by Judge Amy Berman Jackson. Lamond’s sentencing is scheduled for April 3rd.
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NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey resigned following allegations of repeated sexual abuse of a subordinate officer, Lt. Quathisha Epps, in exchange for overtime pay. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office launched an investigation into these claims, which include demands for various sexual acts at NYPD headquarters. Epps’ attorney has filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC, preceding a potential federal lawsuit alleging retaliation for refusing Maddrey’s advances. Maddrey’s resignation comes amidst a departmental shakeup under new Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and follows previous accusations of sexual misconduct.
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Body camera footage shows Louisville Lt. Caleb Stewart citing a pregnant woman experiencing homelessness for violating Kentucky’s street camping ban, even after she stated she was in labor and her water broke. Stewart expressed skepticism about her claim and issued the citation regardless of the apparent medical emergency. This incident highlights the conflict between enforcing the new law and providing compassionate care to vulnerable individuals, particularly pregnant women experiencing homelessness. The woman later gave birth to a healthy child, but the event underscores the potentially harmful consequences of criminalizing homelessness.
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A Nevada federal jury awarded Kirstin Lobato, now Blaise, $34 million in compensatory damages and $10,000 in punitive damages from two retired Las Vegas detectives, finding they fabricated evidence and inflicted emotional distress during her wrongful conviction for a 2001 murder. Lobato, wrongly convicted twice and imprisoned for nearly 16 years, was exonerated in 2017 after new evidence proved her innocence. The jury’s verdict concluded that Las Vegas police were responsible for her ordeal; the department had preemptively agreed to pay damages should the jury find in Lobato’s favor. The detectives’ attorney plans to appeal the decision.
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Broward County State Attorney Harold F. Pryor will seek to vacate up to 2,600 convictions stemming from a 1988-1990 Broward County Sheriff’s Office sting operation involving sheriff’s office-manufactured crack cocaine. A 1993 Florida Supreme Court ruling deemed these prosecutions illegal due to the Sheriff’s Office’s creation of the drugs used in the sting. This action follows a review of old records revealing lingering convictions from this operation, which often resulted in harsh penalties including mandatory minimum sentences. The State Attorney’s office will contact affected individuals, and Sheriff Gregory Tony supports this effort to overturn these convictions.
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Ellen Greenberg’s autopsy revealed eleven bruises, described as “in various stages of resolution,” suggesting infliction over time. An independent pathologist later deemed these bruises consistent with a repeated beating. Despite an initial homicide ruling, the medical examiner subsequently changed the cause of death to suicide, a decision disputed by Greenberg’s family. This ruling stemmed from the belief she was alone in a locked apartment, a claim contradicted by evidence suggesting otherwise. Ongoing lawsuits by the Greenberg family continue to challenge the official narrative and seek justice for their daughter.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood