Compton Settles Suit Filed by Ex-Detective; Filer Opposed

The City of Compton has paid $126,700 to settle a lawsuit brought by former Police Det. Saul E. Lankster, a school board candidate who is serving a 120-day jail term for selling false driving school diplomas.

The lawsuit stemmed from Lankster’s firing from the police force in 1977, when he was accused of submitting a false claim for overtime pay, according to acting Police Chief Gilbert Sandoval. Last year, a state appeal court ruled that the firing should be reconsidered by the city Personnel Commission. But the City Council recently voted in a closed session to settle the case instead.

During an open session Tuesday, City Councilman Maxcy Filer objected to both the settlement and the fact that it was not debated in public. The council, however, took no further action.

In September, Lankster was convicted of four charges of selling false diplomas from his University We-Stand-N-Line-For-U Driving School, which offers court-approved safety classes to traffic violators.

Los Angeles County election officials have said that Lankster’s name will remain on the Nov. 5 ballot as one of 20 candidates in the Compton Unified School District race. But they are uncertain whether he would be allowed to take office.