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May 21, 2008 9:19 am US/Pacific
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Police Officer Files Claim Against LAUSD
Luis Barraza Alleges He Was Punished For Reporting Alleged Sexual Abuse
LOS ANGELES
A Los Angeles Unified School District police officer has reportedly filed a claim with the district claiming he was punished for reporting allegations that a substitute teacher sexually abused a student.
Luis E. Barraza said his actions embarrassed two South East High School administrators who had failed to report the misconduct although they were required by law to inform authorities, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office earlier this month criminally charged the two administrators with failing to report the alleged abuse. The teacher, who is related to another administrator at the school, also faces criminal charges for alleged abuse.
According to Barraza, he was reassigned to patrol at another part of the school district on the same day Superintendent David Brewer allowed the two administrators to return to the South Gate campus, despite their pending criminal cases, The Times reported. Prosecutors criticized Brewer's action.
Barraza's attorney, Michael McGill, alleged in the claim that his client was given "freeway therapy," The Times reported. The claim is a precursor to a possible civil lawsuit.
"In short, Barraza was punished for reporting potential crimes," McGill wrote, according to The Times. "These actions are designed to deter other individuals, and officers, from speaking up and reporting criminal activities of high-ranking district employees."
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)