After 48 civil rights lawsuits, DOJ sued Steubenville OH in 1997 for false arrests, dest. evidence

[okaawhatever]

intimidating witnesses, tampering with police recorders, unlawful seizures, and more.

From the complaint: United States of America vs. City of Steubenville, OH

Through the actions described in paragraphs 8-19 above, the City defendants have engaged in and continue to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct by SPD officers that deprives persons in Steubenville of rights, privileges, or immunities secured and protected by the Constitution (including the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments) or the laws of the United States in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 14141.

From the Factual Allegations Listed (paragraphs 8-19, as mentioned above), some but not all of the charges:
8. From at least 1990 to the present, SPD officers have engaged and continue to engage in a pattern or practice of using excessive force against persons in Steubenville. This use of excessive force includes, but is not limited to
b. use of excessive force against individuals in police custody (including persons handcuffed or otherwise physically restrained); and
c. use of excessive force against individuals by police officers who are off-duty and involved in private disputes but acting under color of law.
9. From at least 1990 to the present, SPD officers have engaged and continue to engage in a pattern or practice of falsely arresting and charging persons in Steubenville. These false arrests and charges include, but are not limited to:
a. false arrests or charges against persons who witness incidents of police misconduct, who are known critics of the SPD, or who are disliked by individual SPD officers;
b. false arrests or charges against persons who are believed likely to complain of police misconduct; and
c. false arrests or charges against persons who behave disrepectfully but noncriminally to police officers.

Much more listed in the complaint under Factual Allegations section. Steubenville was only the 2nd city charged under a 1993 law giving DOJ authority to intervene in City Police matters where "pattern or practice" of gross civil rights abuses take place. The first was the city of Pittsburgh. Steubenville with it's 15,000 people beat LA, Detroit, New Orleans and others to this title.

Link to DOJ lawsuit: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/steubencomp.php

Link to an interview with the Chief of Police of Steubenville: http://www.parc.info/client_files/Newsletters/Interviews/William%20A.%20McCafferty,%20Chief%20of%20Steubenville%20Police%20Department%20%28April%202005%29.pdf

[LiberalEsto]

1. Sounds like a fucked-up community.

Let's not visit them.

[okaawhatever]

2. This is the town where the Steubenville gang rape happened and was covered up. I was asked to post

this many knew the town had been under investigation before, but didn't realize they had been under DOJ supervision from 1997-2005 or 6. Also, many of the LEO's involved in the current Big Red Football team rape case were there during this time.

[freshwest]

3. Thanks for posting this because a lot of people didn't know about it.

Your addition on the other thread. This is very serious, that they were mentioned by the UN Committee Against Torture. This town has something wrong going on. The pressure needs to be kept up:

Please read this: The 1997 Justice Dept lawsuit against Steubenville, Petition to remove Jane Hanlin as city attorney and possibly disbarment. There may be proof now that she did in fact offer immunity or at least a guarantee not to prosecute those who helped her.

First:

In 1997 the DOJ filed a "pattern or practice" lawsuit under the 1994 Violent Crime and Civil Rights Abuses Act. Their town of 15k beat LA, Detroit, New Orleans & Philadelphia for abuses. They were monitored by the DOJ from 1997-2003 and forced to make changes (many existing officers left the force rather than comply) They had 48 civil rights lawsuits the 20 yrs prior.

"In its complaint, the Justice Department alleges the city and the police department have engaged in a pattern or practice of subjecting individuals to excessive force, false arrests, charges, and reports, improper stops, searches, and seizures. The complaint states that Steubenville officials have caused and condoned this conduct through their inadequate use-of-force policies; inappropriate off-duty-conduct policies; and failure to supervise, train, discipline, monitor and investigate police officers and alleged misconduct.

Among the offenses, Steubenville police officers allegedly used excessive force against individuals who witnessed incidents of police misconduct, who were known critics of the department or were disliked by individual officers, and who were falsely arrested or charged persons believed likely to complain of abuse. Further, officers allegedly falsified reports and tampered with official police recorders so that misconduct would not be recorded."

http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/reports98/police/uspo36.htm

They were even mentioned at the UN Committee Against Torture in Geneva by Chief of Staff to the Asst. AG for Civil Rights, DOJ William Yeomans.

Here is a link to a petition to remove Jane Hanlin. The prosecutor who allegedly tried to talk the girl and her family out of pressing charges. Who supposedly offered immnunity to a couple of individuals, THEN recused herself.

http://bigideaohio.blogspot.com/

This explains how the coach felt free to threaten the reporter and anyone he knew for daring to speak. Dangerous criminal actions.

[okaawhatever]

4. Thanks 4 reading. Many don't realize this is the Steubenville of Big Red Football, rape crew fame

[Last Stand]

5. Why aren't the cops being charged?

They are lying under oath and committing a number of a actionable offenses.

[okaawhatever]

6. ?? Because this was a civil action? What agcy would arrest the cops for the gang rape failures? n/t