HOUSTON (CN) - Undercover cops got Southern University's former athletic director fired by soliciting him for prostitution and arresting him without probable cause, the former NFL player claims in court.
Gregory LaFleur sued Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland and Officers Paula Camp and John Doe in Harris County Court.
LaFleur, 54, is a former NFL tight end who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts. He was acquitted of the solicitation charge.
"On April 3, 2011, plaintiff was approached by defendant Officer Camp, who solicited sex for money to plaintiff without probable cause, violating Texas law prohibiting solicitation of prostitution in a manner that shocks the conscience and is outrageous," the complaint states.
"Shortly thereafter, John Doe, a male undercover officer, arrested plaintiff and charged plaintiff with solicitation of prostitution."
They arrested him during the 2011 Final Four college basketball tournament in Houston. He allegedly offered Camp $50 for sex, ABC's Houston affiliate KTRK reported at the time.
"Unbeknownst to plaintiff, defendant Officer Camp was engaged with other officers, including defendant Officer Doe, conducting a prostitution sting operation," LaFleur says in the lawsuit.
He claims the officers "knowingly fabricated evidence that would not defeat an entrapment defense," and were deliberately indifferent to his right to due process.
A jury acquitted him after deliberating for 34 minutes.
"This should have never happened," LaFleur told CBS News affiliate WAFB after the verdict. "The chick solicited me. I have lived with this for a year. I'm more pissed off than happy."
LeFleur seeks punitive damages for negligence, civil rights violations, malicious prosecution and conspiracy.
He is represented by Jerome Karam of Friendswood, Texas.
LaFleur worked as Southern University's athletic director for nearly six years before his termination.
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