Host: An Atlanta police officer fired for making untruthful statements during an investigation into the 2009 raid on the Atlanta Eagle, a Midtown gay bar, today said he never lied.
Edwards: “I want the truthfulness [findings] to be set aside, because it's clear at no point was I untruthful. And I want my job back.”
Host: Thirty-one year old Jeremy Edwards asked the city's Civil Service Board to reinstate him, and to wipe away a 10-day suspension.
WABE's Jim Burress was the only reporter at the hearing, and has this report.
Burress: Investigators asked Jeremy Edwards if he observed any violence the night of the Eagle raid. Testifying before the three-member Board, he admitted saying this:
Edwards: “My response was, Seeing another man have sex with another man in the ass, I would classify as very violent.'”
Burress: Chief George Turner called the statement discriminatory, which violates department rules. He suspended Edwards for 10 days. Edwards appealed.
Edwards: “My personal opinion [observing] any sexual act is violent, whether it's straight or gay.”
Burress: But most of the three-hour hearing dealt with the whether Edwards lied about taking a picture with his cellphone.
The department says Edwards told investigators he never snapped a photo.
But Edwards claims the question was unclear, and he thought he was answering a question about emailing the picture.
Edwards: “If I could go back, or they would ask me the question or clarify the question, I would tell them: I did not email the picture, so obviously not.' I was never given that opportunity.”
Burress: Internal affairs investigator Andrew Griffin dealt a blow to the city's case when he also testified the question seemed unclear.
Griffin: “He was answering the part Did he email the picture,' and not take a photograph.”
Burress: Indicating how he might rule, Civil Service Board member Kevin Perry wrapped up the hearing by telling Edwards he thought the questions were indeed clear.
The Board has 30 days to rule on Edwards' appeal.
Jim Burress, WABE News.
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