Fired Cops Want $10 Million Each

Two former Manhattan Beach police officers who were fired in March for their involvement in an off-duty 2010 hit-and-run car accident have each filed a claim for $10 million against the City of Manhattan Beach.

Eric Eccles and Kristopher Thompson each claim that they "began enduring very hostile working conditions on 02-02-10, after my involvement in an off-duty incident was voluntarily reported, and I was continuously subjected to these conditions until an egregious Wrongful Employment Termination was imposed on 3-18-11. As of this grievance date, 11-03-11, I contend that I am still sustaining immeasurable pain and suffering, as this labor violation has not yet been adjudicated and my prior employer continues to defame my reputation."

Eccles and Thompson each claim that then police chief Rod Uyeda, who fired them after results of an internal and criminal investigation, had a "well-known personal animosity" toward each officer.

Each claims that "I have been referred to as 'Osama bin Laden' and as a member of 'Al Qaeda', in their daily discussions-in so far as to also contaminate my future potential employment." 

Eccles and Thompson both indicate that they have witnesses they will bring forward "after my scheduled Employment Arbitration, in December of 2011, as several witnesses will be testifying throughout the course of that hearing, as to Uyeda's behavior, statements, and conduct, prior to, and subsequent to, my unlawful termination."

Each officer's claim reads, "I was forced to embarrassingly seek out Unemployment Benefits, and carry the shameful burdens imposed by society as no longer being a member of the working class, after Uyeda maliciously terminated me."

Thompson and Eccles also report that they have cashed out their 457k deferred compensation plan ahead of schedule to financially survive.

Both men say they have considered "fleeing the country" because they do not feel safe, and that they have each considered changing their names.

Now retired, Uyeda issued a statement that reads: 

"As this issue is still pending in the court, I will respectfully decline to make any statement, other than to say that I have full confidence in the legal process to consider all the facts, all the reports (not just the criminal investigation that the DA [district attorney] is restricted to) and render a decision that has truly considered the veracity of all of the statements made and will be in the best interest for the residents of Manhattan Beach and the integrity of the law enforcement profession."

More details can be found in this Daily Breeze article.