Kiley Swaine (2020)

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Overview

On January 27, 2020, Swaine was arrested on suspicion of mail theft. Torrance California Police Department officers Christopher Tomsic and Cody Weldin spray-painted a swastika and a happy face inside Swaine's car before having it towed.[1][2]

After Swaine retrieved his car, he reported the incident to the department.[2]

Both officers were placed on leave pending an investigation.[3]

In April 2020, the department referred the incident to the District Attorney.[3]

On July 21, 2020, Weldin left the department.[4]

On September 18, 2020, Tomsic left the department.[4]

On August 19, 2021, the District Attorney charged the officers with vandalism and conspiracy to commit vandalism.[5]

On August 19. 2021, both officers pleaded not guilty.[6]

During the investigation, a search of the officers' phones revealed text messages with other officers that included racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic comments. The state Attorney General launched a separate investigation.[2]

In January 2022, Swaine filed a lawsuit that accused the officers of unlawful search and seizure, unlawful taking of his property, and violating his constitutional rights.[7]

Swaine was cleared of the mail theft charges.[2]

In February 2023, the city paid Swaine $750,000 to settle the lawsuit.[1]

Video

The officers' body-worn cameras showed that there was no graffiti in the car during the arrest.[7]

Officers Involved

Official Reports

Additional Sources

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Adam Gabbatt, California city pays $750k to Jewish man accusing cops of painting swastika in car, The Guardian, 2023-03-21
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Christian Martinez, Torrance pays $750,000 to man after police accused of painting swastika in his car, Los Angeles Times, 2023-03-20
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 James Queally, Ex-Torrance police officers charged with spray-painting swastika on car, Los Angeles Times, 2021-08-19
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Torrance: 2 ex-police officers charged with vandalism after swastika spray-painted on impounded car, ABC 7, 2021-08-20
  5. ↑ Former Torrance Police Officers Charged With Conspiracy, Vandalism[, District Attorney's Office, 2021-08-19
  6. ↑ Snejana Farberov, HUNDREDS of criminal cases will be reviewed in California after two cops plead not guilty to spray-painting swastika and a happy face onto suspect's car, Daily Mail, 2021-08-20
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 James Queally, Federal lawsuit filed against city of Torrance in police racist text scandal, Los Angeles Times, 2022-01-21

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