Rampart Scandal

Overview

The Rampart scandal was a scandal of police corruption that unfolded from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. This scandal took place in Los Angeles, United States, and was involved within Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH) unit of the Rampart divison, which was a specialized gang intelligence unit of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

Over 70 police officers were involved in the scandal, with various forms of abusing power. These included including police brutality, planting of false evidence, stealing and drug dealing, bank robbery, perjury and cover-ups thereof.

Sufficient evidence was gathered to present 58 of them to an internal administrative board. Among these, 24 were determined to have engaged in misconduct, resulting in twelve receiving suspensions of varying durations, seven being compelled to resign or retire, and five being dismissed from their positions. Consequently, due to the falsified evidence and perjury committed by the Rampart CRASH officers, 106 criminal convictions were annulled.

Progression of the scandal

Officer Kevin Gaines shooting

On March 18, 1997 LAPD undercover officer Frank Lyga shot and killed an off-duty and in plainclothes Rampart CRASH officer, Kevin Gaines, in self-defense, following a case of road rage. The shooting caused a major controversy as it involved a white officer, Frank Lyga, killing a black officer, Kevin Gaines.

In an article that Lyga told to FRONTLINE, it is alleged that Gaines threatened Lyga with a gun, adding that he responded it self-defense. In addition, Lyga also said that “In my training experience this guy had 'I'm a gang member' written all over him.” Gaines was also discovered to have been “involved in similar road rage incidents, threatening drivers and brandishing his gun.”

After three seperate investigations, it was concluded that the shooting was not the result of racial or improper conduct and was “in policy”. Following the shooting incident, the Gaines family, with attorney Johnnie Cochran representing them, initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, seeking $25 million in damages. Eventually, the city reached a settlement in the amount of $250,000.

Station-House beating

On February 26 1998, CRASH L.A.P.D. Officer Brian Hewitt brought 18th Street gang member Ismael Jimenez to the Rampart police station for questioning. During questioning, Hewitt allegedly beat up the handcuffed Jimenez in the stomach and chest, causing him to vomit blood.

Following his release, Jimenez was escorted to the emergency room and told doctors he had been beaten by officers Hewitt and his partner Daniel Lujan while in police custody. Following several internal investigations, Hewitt was fired from the LAPD, while Jimenez was awarded $231,000 in a civil settlement with the city of Los Angeles, but served still served time for drug distribution and conspiracy to commit murder.