A former Deutsche Bank executive sued the city of Los Angeles and two of its officers Wednesday, alleging federal civil rights violations—including excessive force and false imprisonment—stemming from a late-night run-in with the lawmen last year that he says left him with severe injuries.
Brian C. Mulligan, 53, alleges that he was on foot and “minding his own business” the night of May 15 after visiting an Eagle Rock medical marijuana dispensary when he was stopped by the officers, given a field sobriety test, handcuffed for no reason, taken to a Highland Park motel and beaten with a baton.
Mulligan is seeking at least $20 million in damages.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing the Los Angeles Police Department's rank and file officers, has not seen a copy of the lawsuit, league spokesman Eric Rose told City News Service.
“What we can tell you is that Mr. Mulligan thrust himself into the public eye by holding a press conference to discuss his wild and lurid allegations against LAPD officers,” Rose said.
“The unedited, complete version of Mulligan's tape recorded conversation with another law enforcement agency is at odds with the tale he wove, but the tape speaks for itself.”
There was no immediate response to a message left with the City Attorney's Office, seeking comment. According to the federal complaint, which names James Nichols and his partner, John Miller, along with LAPPL President Tyler Izen, Mulligan attempted to flee the motel but was brought down by the officers, who “attacked him.”
The suit alleges that “Nichols hit Mulligan in the face with his baton, swinging it like a baseball bat, shattering Mulligan's nose and knocking Mulligan to the pavement. Nichols and Miller then beat Mulligan in the head. Mulligan, bleeding profusely and drifting in and out of consciousness, pleaded with them to stop.”
Pictures of Mulligan's battered face are attached to the lawsuit. Mulligan also contends that he was defamed in a Police Protective League news statement, which falsely suggested he was a frequent user of “bath salts,” a designer street drug linked to euphoria, paranoia and violent outbursts.
The suit alleges that the LAPD was aware of complaints against Nichols—who according to published reports is under investigation by the department for allegedly assaulting women over a period of five years—but allowed him to remain on patrol.
The complaint alleges Nichols is suspected of “using a similar modus operandi to the one he employed with Mulligan; transporting them [women] by threat and force to a private location; and ordering them to be compliant.”
Before joining Deutsche Bank, Mulligan held management jobs at Fox Television and Universal Pictures, according to his court papers.
Related: Bank Executive Officially Files Claim, Seeks $50 Million From LAPD
