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VOL. 12,
NO. 191
LA County sheriff's deputy who alleged retaliation by internal gangs settles lawsuit
LA County to launch rental housing inspection program
By Bill Hetherman, City News Service
By City News Service
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The sheriff's station in East Los Angeles. | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
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Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who said he gave up hopes of a baseball career to join law enforcement has settled his lawsuit against the county, in which he alleged he was harassed by members of two purported deputy gangs and denied backup during a shootout with a suspect. Deputy Robert Francis Coyle's Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleged whistleblower retaliation and general retaliation. On Wednesday, attorneys told Judge Wendy Chang on the day of trial that the case was resolved, but no terms were revealed. In their previous court papers, county attorneys stated that Coyle's allegations were not supported by evidence and that he was instead relying on "conspiracy theories, speculation and conclusory allegations." According to Coyle's suit filed in July 2021, he once aspired to play for the
Dodgers, but decided instead to pursue his other dream of serving in law enforcement. Coyle "was excited to go to work for the LASD and took pride in keeping residents safe," the suit stated. Coyle was initially assigned to work at the Lancaster Sheriff's Station, but his father had heart and kidney transplants and the plaintiff asked to be transferred closer to his father's home. "Unfortunately, plaintiff was transferred to the East Los Angeles Station, an epicenter of deputy gangbanging," the suit alleged. Coyle contended that soon after his arrival at the East Los Angeles Station, some employees, including Deputy Braulio Robledo, began targeting him for discrimination and harassment based on his race. Robledo, then an alleged Banditos gang prospect, and other station deputies
thought Coyle must have been an FBI agent, according to the suit. "Plaintiff did not know what he was walking into, but the dominance of the station by Banditos gang culture was palpable," his court papers alleged. Coyle stated he at first tried to ignore the harassment and hoped that after the deputies at the station saw the strong work ethic he displayed, he would be respected and be left alone. But Latino deputies were "suspicious over him being white and suspicious over him being focused on being a good cop," according to his court papers. Coyle alleged he was "deeply troubled" by what he believed was a culture at the East Los Angeles Station that encouraged conduct by deputies that violate
See Deputy gangs Page 15
laws and policies, so he complained to his supervisor. "The defendants retaliated against plaintiff for speaking up and called him a rat," the suit stated. Soon thereafter, Robledo hinted to Coyle that the Banditos would start withholding backup help on his calls, the plaintiff alleged. That threat became a reality in November 2019 when the Banditos purposely denied Coyle assistance as he pursued an armed suspect who turned to shoot at him, the suit alleged. Coyle filed multiple shots at the suspect, who escaped, according to his court papers. The Banditos also retaliated against Coyle by overwhelming him with excessive calls, in the process causing other deputies to be
program intended to address rental properties with a history of repeated violations and ensure the safety of tenants is set to begin, Los Angeles County officials announced Monday. Under the county's Rental Housing Habitability Program, landlords in the unincorporated areas of LA County will receive a 30-day notice for inspection in October, as part of a new process to inspect each rental housing unit once every four years. Then in November, the county's Department of Public Health will begin inspections of all rental housing properties with two or more rental housing units, and tenant-occupied single-family homes. Rental properties that have a history of repeated violations will be prioritized. Officials say the goal of the Rental Housing Habitability Program is to ensure that rental housing properties and units in the unincorporated areas of LA County are meeting state and county safety codes. "Routine inspections of rental housing can identify hazards that compromise health and reduce property values," Barbara Ferrer, director of the Department of Public Health, said in a statement. "Tenants and property owners are encouraged to work closely with Public Health inspectors to facilitate timely inspections
See Inspections Page 32
and, where needed, appropriate repairs." A 30-day notice is sent to the property owner or landlord informing them of the upcoming inspection, which could happen over a span of days depending on the number of rental units on the property. Landlords are required to post these notices in common areas, so tenants are also aware of the inspection. Additionally, within 24-hours of a scheduled routine inspection, the landlord is expected to give a written notice to tenants of the inspection. Inspections can also be initiated as a means to habitability complaints. Public Health inspectors will review units for several issues such as waterproofing, plumbing and gas, water supply and pressure, operable ventilation systems in bathrooms, mold, and bug infestation. "Every resident in Los Angeles County deserves a safe and healthy place to call home," Supervisor and Board Chair Lindsey Horvath said in a statement. "This program not only safeguards tenants but also supports property owners in maintaining and enhancing the quality of housing across the county." Landlords will be required to fix violations within 21 days. Extensions may be granted if there is substantial progress in the