Lawsuit: Bovina officials harassed, extorted residents
Nine people filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Friday against the city of Bovina, its ex-police chief and other officials, alleging they hatched an “illegal scheme” to harass some residents and extort money from them to fill city coffers.
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“The pattern of harassment and extortion began following the city’s decision to raise additional revenue by forcing citizens and property owners to make improvements to their property against their will,” the suit said. “This illegal scheme, concocted by then-City Manager Jana Pitcock, was approved by the City Council and implemented by the Bovina, Texas, Police Department.”
The suit alleges, among other things, that police officers unlawfully arrested some of the plaintiffs for various offenses in 2010 and 2011, and that charges against most of them ultimately were dismissed.
The suit further claims former city officials engaged in a policy to generate city revenues by harassing and illegally arresting some residents through false accusations.
More at http://amarillo.com/news/2012-12-28/lawsuit-bovina-officials-harassed-extorted-residents
[font color=green]I bet the officers named in the suit also make comments about people no longer respecting authority. Get a clue![/font]
