Blog note: this media report of
a criminal case suggests that police department action could be the subject of
a civil grand jury investigation regarding police procedures.
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A couple was kidnapped,
and then accused by police of making the entire story up, but now the Federal
Bureau of Investigation is confirming their story.
The Vallejo Police Department is now in a
public relations crisis mode, accused of incompetence and botching a
high-profile kidnapping case.
Denise Huskins’ boyfriend Aaron Quinn reported
she had been kidnapped in March after both were allegedly drugged.
When Huskins was found 400 miles away two days
after her reported disappearance, Vallejo Police Lt. Kenny Park called the
incident “a wild goose chase”, saying, “Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins have
plundered valuable resources away from our community, and have taken focus away
from the true victims of our community while instilling fear amongst our
community members,” he said. “So if anything, it’s Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins
that owe this community an apology.”
But after the FBI confirmed the couple’s
story, their attorneys are asking for a public apology from the police
department.
Retired FBI agent Jim Wedick says any alleged
violation of rights by Vallejo Police against Huskins and her boyfriend will
likely be settled at a civil level in a lawsuit.
“I’m sure they’re not happy,” he said. “This
is not something you want to wake up to. It was bad then, when they got into
that public display, and now it’s being regurgitated.”
Wedick says action by the Vallejo City Council
or a civil grand jury is also possible.
“The grand jury would have subpoena power, and
they could bring in witnesses, to talk about how the police department handled
the investigation,” he said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office released a
statement reading no federal investigation will take place, and that “As this
investigation has proceeded, new facts have come to light, and investigators
continue to gain a more complete understanding of the case.”
It also says it considers the police
department to be a valued partner.
So far, the police department has referred all
questions about the case to the FBI.
July
13, 2015
CBS
Sacramento
By Steve Large
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