City Pays $300,000 to Cover Legal Fees
Los Angeles has reached a settlement agreement with a journalist and a watchdog group, resolving a legal battle over the publication of photos and information of undercover police officers. The city will pay $300,000 to cover the legal fees of journalist Ben Camacho and Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, according to Camacho’s attorney.
Controversial Lawsuit Sparks Press Freedom Concerns
The case stemmed from a public records request filed by Camacho, then with Knock LA, for the LAPD’s roster. This included officer names, photographs, and other details. The city inadvertently released information for undercover officers as well. The watchdog group subsequently created a searchable online database named “Watch the Watchers” using the information.
Facing backlash from police and their union who argued the release jeopardized officer safety, the city attorney’s office sued Camacho and Stop LAPD Spying in April 2023. The lawsuit drew criticism from media rights advocates and news organizations who viewed it as an attack on free speech and press freedoms.
Settlement Reached, But Legal Issues Remain
The settlement signifies the city’s acknowledgment that inadvertently released information cannot be retracted through legal action after publication. It also requires the city to drop demands seeking the removal of officer photos from the internet and a ban on future publication.
However, Camacho faces another lawsuit filed by the city on behalf of LAPD officers who sued the city after the information leak.
