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Monday, March 18, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Cops Let Drunk Prosecutor Slide, Officer Says

DETROIT (CN) - A Raisin Township police sergeant claims she was fired for objecting to police misconduct, including a fellow officer's allowing a prosecutor for Lewanee County "who was obviously drunk" to drive away from a DUI stop. She says the officer told her "he was afraid of losing his job for arresting a prosecutor."

Jamie Mercer Handy sued the township, its Supervisor Carl Wagner and Police Chief Scott Lambka.

Handy claims, "During the summer of 2008, Officer [Randy] Escott detained a white male, Prosecutor Hartung, who was obviously drunk driving. During the stop, Prosecutor Hartung identified himself as a county prosecutor and displayed a badge or facsimile. Officer Escott confirmed Hartung's identity, decided not to conduct a field sobriety test and allowed Prosecutor Hartung to drive away.

"Officer Escott informed both Mercer Handy and Defendant Lambka that he was sure Hartung was drunk when he let him drive off. Officer Escott said he was afraid of losing his job for arresting a prosecutor.

"Mercer Handy informed Defendant Lambka that there was a patrol video and that Officer Escott had recorded the incident on his log. Defendant Lambka indicated the video would 'disappear,' despite Mercer Handy's concerns."

Handy is represented by Juan Mateo.

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