L.A. Settles 7 Rampart Cases for $2.8 Million

The Los Angeles City Council agreed Tuesday to pay $2.8 million to settle lawsuits filed by seven victims of the Rampart police corruption scandal, including two who were allegedly framed by Officer Rafael Perez, who admitted to misconduct.

Council members said it is hard to pay out such large sums when the city faces a potential $200-million budget deficit, but they said the cases demanded payment and attorneys for the city were able to negotiate reductions with the victims.

“These are the most difficult cases to deal with because they involve police abuse,” Councilman Nick Pacheco said. “These cases are very painful in terms of the fact that people had their civil rights violated.”

Settlements approved by the council included $475,000 to William Zepeda, who pleaded guilty in 1998 to selling cocaine and was sentenced to two years in prison. The conviction was dismissed after Perez came forward with information.

Oscar Ochoa, who was allegedly framed by Perez and another officer, will receive $475,000 as well. He pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and was sentenced to three years in prison. His conviction was later dismissed.

Samuel Bailey, whom Perez admitted framing for the crime of being an ex-felon with a gun, received $475,000. Bailey’s trial was disrupted when the defendant yelled that Perez was a liar. He later pleaded guilty in return for a lighter sentence of two years, eight months in prison. The conviction was later overturned.

The rest of the payments went to four others whose convictions were also overturned.

City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski said the city has so far paid out about $35 million to resolve about 75 cases stemming from the Rampart scandal. “It’s always hard to approve settlement payments, but given the evidence and the facts of these cases, we had little choice,” Miscikowski said.