$20-Million Slander Suit Filed Against Chief

Two veteran Los Angeles Police Department detectives filed a $20-million slander lawsuit against Chief Willie L. Williams and the city Thursday, charging that he falsely labeled them as corrupt officers on national television.

Dets. Andrew Teague and Charles Markel contend that during a September 1, 1995, news conference, Williams accused both officers of falsifying physical evidence and Teague of perjuring himself in a murder case.

After a hearing, an LAPD disciplinary panel later cleared the partners of the allegations. In October, the city of Los Angeles denied the homicide detective’s claims against Williams, paving the way for Thursday’s action.

Williams and an LAPD spokesman declined to respond to the nine-page lawsuit, which alleges slander, invasion of privacy, breach of duty and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The nationally broadcast conference came as Williams was under fire for the department’s handling of the O.J. Simpson case, and a trip to Las Vegas using city resources.

“Maybe this was an effort on his part to deflect criticism,” said Markel, who, like Teague, is still with the LAPD. “Maybe he thought two detectives could serve as scapegoats.”

After the public comments, both officers were relieved of duty for about nine months and the suspect they were investigating was set free, said their attorney, Matthew B.F. Biren.

The man, Kevin Adams, was later arrested in connection with another slaying, Biren said.