Saturday, August 2, 2008

Tustin, CA woman filed lawsuit against CHIP who groped her - complaint substantiated internally

Ashley Fair, a 20 something woman from Tustin, CA, filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court stating that a California Highway Patrol officer gave her a pat down search and groped her genitals while he was at it. The allegations were substantiated by an internal investigation.

"After a thorough and complete investigation, it was determined Officer (S.) Unland inappropriately searched you, detained you for an excessive period of time and made inappropriate sexual comments,'' wrote Capt. K.P. Rosenberg in a Feb. 15, 2008 letter. "Appropriate action has been taken to preclude a similar occurrence in the future."

Fair exited the freeway after being pulled over around 9:37 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2007, according to the lawsuit filed Friday. Unland directed her to stop on a "dark and isolated street,'' the lawsuit says.

After handing the officer her registration papers and driver's license, Fair was ordered to get out of the vehicle, the filing says. During a "pat-down" search, Unland "proceeded to pat her down on the outside and insides of her legs, and then stuck his hand inside her front and rear pockets and felt around her private areas.''

He also then asked her personal questions about her boyfriend, and gave her a fix-it ticket for her registration, according to the lawsuit.

CHP officials could not be reached for comment, but Fair's attorney, Joel Baruch, said that internal discipline of an unknown kind was taken.

"He took sexual liberties with her. It's unwarranted. You can't have police officers doing this."

Superior Court Judge Franz E. Miller will hear the case.

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