Ex-Oakland Police Chief Sues City Over Wrongful Termination

The lawsuit alleges federal monitor's financial interests influenced the firing, challenging the basis for dismissal and highlighting the ongoing federal oversight of the police department.

• Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city and Mayor Sheng Thao, alleging his firing was coerced by federal monitor Robert Warshaw.
• Armstrong's lawsuit claims Mayor Thao was forced into the decision by Warshaw, who benefits financially from continuing oversight of the Oakland Police Department.
• The lawsuit also accuses Warshaw of inventing reasons to keep the department under federal oversight, which has been in place since a 2003 civil rights settlement.
• An independent arbitrator cleared Armstrong of wrongdoing in the misconduct cases that led to his firing, challenging the justification for his dismissal.
• Armstrong is seeking monetary damages and has since taken a job as an assistant basketball coach, indicating he is no longer pursuing reinstatement as police chief.

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