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Baltimore Settles Officers’ Lawsuit in Rogue Unit Scandal
The City of Baltimore has issued an apology and agreed to a $290,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by two Baltimore police officers wrongfully accused of illegal acts related to a rogue police unit.
The City’s rare public apology was a big change from 2005. That year, a probe began into the City’s Southwest District “flex squad” after a woman accused Officer Jemini Jones of raping her in the station house. The Commissioner disbanded the squad, started annual audits of all the flex squads, and suspended six officers, including three who were indicted on criminal charges.
Jones was acquitted at trial and charges against the other two officers were dropped. The lawsuit was brought by Sgt. Robert L. Smith and former officer Vicki Mengel. Both were named in a search warrant related to the rape investigation.
Smith was named in the warrant despite being on vacation when the alleged rape occurred. Mengel was accused in the warrant of using her position to commit illegal acts. A “Joint Statement” between the parties apologized to Smith and Mengel.
That statement said Smith was “a law-abiding, dedicated officer.” It regretted that Mengel was named in the warrant. As part of the August 6, 2007, settlement, Smith was paid $200,000, Mengel $50,000, and their attorney $40,000. Smith was assigned to the Warrant Apprehension Task Force. Mengel resigned after accepting probation on a criminal gambling charge. Source: Baltimore Sun.
The City’s rare public apology was a big change from 2005. That year, a probe began into the City’s Southwest District “flex squad” after a woman accused Officer Jemini Jones of raping her in the station house. The Commissioner disbanded the squad, started annual audits of all the flex squads, and suspended six officers, including three who were indicted on criminal charges.
Jones was acquitted at trial and charges against the other two officers were dropped. The lawsuit was brought by Sgt. Robert L. Smith and former officer Vicki Mengel. Both were named in a search warrant related to the rape investigation.
Smith was named in the warrant despite being on vacation when the alleged rape occurred. Mengel was accused in the warrant of using her position to commit illegal acts. A “Joint Statement” between the parties apologized to Smith and Mengel.
That statement said Smith was “a law-abiding, dedicated officer.” It regretted that Mengel was named in the warrant. As part of the August 6, 2007, settlement, Smith was paid $200,000, Mengel $50,000, and their attorney $40,000. Smith was assigned to the Warrant Apprehension Task Force. Mengel resigned after accepting probation on a criminal gambling charge. Source: Baltimore Sun.
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