Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong has filed a lawsuit against the city and its mayor, Sheng Thao, alleging wrongful termination, retaliation, and violation of his First Amendment rights.
Armstrong was fired by the mayor a year ago amid claims he had mishandled a police misconduct investigation. A subsequent independent review found that the investigation into Armstrong was riddled with inaccuracies.
Armstrong claims his termination was set in motion by OPD’s federal monitor, Robert Warshaw, who Armstrong had accused of wrongdoing.
“The City illegally terminated Plaintiff as Chief of the Oakland Police Department in retaliation for Chief Armstrong having the courage to speak out about misconduct by the federal monitor overseeing OPD,” according to a complaint filed by Armstrong.
Armstrong had previously alleged that Warshaw was pursuing baseless disciplinary investigations for personal, financial gain. As the former chief tells it, Warshaw needed to concoct a “false crisis” within OPD in order to sustain $700,000 in annual fees for Warshaw’s consulting team.
Armstrong wants to be reinstated as chief of police. He is also asking for monetary damages.
Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle.