Just in time for tonight’s City Council meeting, WSVN’s Rosh Lowe broke the news at 11:00 this morning.
New- @NorthMiamiPD Chief Gary Eugene officially notifies city- he’s suing.
— Rosh Lowe (@rloweon7) June 27, 2017
A couple hours ago, Miami Herald reporter Lance Dixon posted the full story along with his tweet.
Suspended #NorthMiami police chief plans lawsuit https://t.co/VOWuO0aMDW #CharlesKinsey pic.twitter.com/cEPu3I6lHG
— Lance Dixon (@LDixon_3) June 27, 2017
This new lawsuit is the third filed as a result of last summer's shooting of Charles Kinsey, the behavioral therapist of an autistic man, Arnaldo Rios, by North Miami Police Officer Jonathan Aledda. Mr. Kinsey and the family of Mr. Rios have already sued the city.
Now it's the Chief's turn.
Who didn't see this coming?
According to the Herald article, Gary Eugene, who was asked to resign on June 15, 2017, the day he was scheduled to return to work from medical leave, has notified the city that he intends to sue for defamation and for punishing him for being a whistleblower.
Eugene’s attorney, Brian Pollock, said: "We're looking at whether or not this was a situation where the chief was retaliated against because he wanted [the Florida Department of Law Enforcement] to investigate. And whether or not he was a whistleblower because he complained about problems in the department."
This is just the latest aftershock in a series of consequences that we've noted was a direct result of the actions of a poorly trained officer whose hiring was questionable at best. But, with his arrest and impending trial on two felony and two misdemeanor charges, Jonathan Aledda's employment (or lack thereof) is the least of his problems.
Commander Emile Hollant, who was served with a Notice of Intent to Terminate and Right to Pre-Determination Hearing, which we're told is scheduled for this Thursday, also plans to file a lawsuit against the City of North Miami, according to the Herald.
Get the popcorn ready. Tonight's City Council meeting should be very, very interesting.
Stephanie
