LAPD Ordered to Destroy Photos Taken During Raid on Attorneys Home

A judge has ordered the Los Angeles Police Department to destroy photographs of legal documents that officers allegedly took during an unannounced raid on the home of an attorney representing a prominent Black Lives Matter activist.

A judge in Los Angeles has ordered the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to destroy photographs of legal documents that officers allegedly took during an unannounced raid on the home of an attorney representing a prominent Black Lives Matter activist.

Raid on Attorney's Home

The attorney, Dermot Givens, said that on Tuesday, approximately a dozen LAPD officers descended on his townhouse, ordering him to stand outside while they executed a warrant. When he went back inside, Givens claims to have witnessed an officer photographing documents left on his kitchen table related to a lawsuit filed against the department on behalf of Melina Abdullah, the co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter.

Abdullah's Lawsuit

Abdullah has alleged that in 2020, LAPD officers violated her civil rights by forcing her out of her home at gunpoint after responding to a hoax call about a hostage situation there. The documents photographed by the police contained portions of Mr. Givens' case file and potentially attorney work product related to Abdullah's case, according to an application filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Judge's Order

On Friday, Judge Rupert Byrdsong granted the request to destroy or return the materials and provide a copy of the warrant used to justify the search. As of Saturday, Givens had not received confirmation from the LAPD or any information about the warrant.

LAPD's Response

A police spokesperson, Capt. Kelly Muniz, stated that the department is conducting an internal investigation and declined to provide further details about the search, citing both an open criminal investigation and an internal affairs investigation.

Givens' Allegations

Givens claims that the police said they were responding to a GPS tracker located near his home as part of their search for a young man named Tyler. He alleges that after surrounding the townhouse with guns drawn, officers in tactical gear "ransacked" his house, emptying drawers, opening his safe, and searching through his briefcase.

Givens, who has lived in the house for more than two decades, asserts that he does not know anyone who matches the name and description of the person the police claimed to be looking for. The raid was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on Friday night.

History of Harassment

The attorney alleges that this incident is the latest instance of harassment from the LAPD due to his representation of clients who are suing the department. He believes that the police are aware of his identity and address and accuses them of lying if they claim otherwise.

Givens is currently representing Abdullah in her lawsuit against the LAPD for their response to a "swatting incident" at her home in 2020, where officers surrounded her house and ordered her and her children to come outside through a loudspeaker.

LAPD's Silence

Los Angeles police have not commented on the actions of their officers at Abdullah's home, citing the pending litigation.