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How to Get Sued: Fake Your Own Shooting, Waste Taxpayer Dollars, Scare the Bejeezus Out of Everyone with Faux Danger
The Los Angeles City Council has voted to file a lawsuit against Jeffrey Stenroos, the LAUSD police officer who pretended he was shot by an on-the-loose-assailant when he really wasn't, according to LA Now.
The council, led by a proposal from council member and former police officer Dennis Zine, was unanimous in their decision to demand that Stenroos reimburse the city for the costs of the extensive police manhunt that the LAPD, city traffic officers, county Sheriff's Department, CHP and FBI undertook after he made up a story about being shot. Zine proposed the lawsuit because he believes "we need to send a message that a person who's sworn to protect and serve cannot do this, and there's consequences for that activity."
Council President Garcetti said that thousands of dollars were spent on police overtime and that the costs of responding to the alleged hoax was "appalling at a time when city workers are going on furlough."
Police Chief Charlie Beck spoke today about the hoax being a reminder of an earliercop-as-victim-cop-as-hoaxer case. School Superintendent Ramon Cortines apologized about the incident. Stenroos was released last night on $20,000 bail.
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