LAPD spent $22,000 taking convicted killer to business dinner - without the proper authority
Officials expended US$22,000 and massive resources to help convicted murderer attend a dinner with business leaders, report reveals
Los Angeles police spent US$22,000 (HK$170,000) and weeks of planning to take a convicted killer and notorious Mexican Mafia shot-caller from custody so he could give a talk to business executives - and they didn't even have the authority to do so.
A report from the LAPD's independent watchdog has found the court order the LAPD used to remove Rene "Boxer" Enriquez from an unnamed detention centre for the January 28 engagement only allowed him to be released to help with the prosecution of a murder case.
Furthermore, the order had not been valid since November 2012, according to the report.
The LAPD spent US$22,000 to prepare and provide security for Enriquez at the event, including a helicopter flight to check the route, it said.
The report provided new details about the controversial meeting, which prompted questions over the use of police resources for a private event attended primarily by wealthy business leaders.
After learning of the meeting, the civilian Police Commission, which oversees the LAPD, directed its inspector general to investigate the matter.
Inspector General Alex Bustamante's report outlined the elaborate steps the LAPD took to make Enriquez available to members of the Young Presidents' Organisation, an exclusive group of business leaders that had "requested the LAPD provide access" to the ex-gang member, who is serving a life prison sentence for two murders.