Officers’ Suit Alleges ‘Lobstergate’ Retaliation

Three Long Beach policemen who blew the whistle on fellow port officers who dived for lobsters while on duty filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation for exposing the “Lobstergate” scandal.

In a Superior Court suit, Sgt. David Gage and Officers Craig Patterson and Warren Harris allege that they were harassed “for disclosing and testifying truthfully about the illegal conduct of the officers.”

The suit said the plaintiffs, who were working for the Police Department’s Port Security Unit, were labeled “snitches” and “malcontents” and were told to carry their firearms while off duty, implying their lives were in danger. They also were refused transfers, given lower-than-normal evaluations and denied promotions, the suit alleges. Deputy Police Chief Tim Jackman declined to discuss the suit, noting that it involves a personnel issue.