Court will decide if SDPD engaged in systematic cover-up of wrongdoing

Convicted San Diego Police Officer Anthony Arrevalos is like a bad rash that just won't go away.

The former officer, who is currently serving a prison sentence stemming from an on-the-job sexual misconduct conviction may soon be back in court.

A federal judge has paved the way to allow a lawsuit to be brought against the local law enforcement agency, saying enough evidence has been brought forward to indicate the SDPD may have been knowingly involved in an ongoing, thoughtful cover-up of Arrevalos' behavior.

Although a trial date has been set for later this summer, it is too soon to tell whether the now-disgraced former officer will be called to testify.

An interesting point of note, however, is that the judge ruled that Arrevalos' then-supervisors shall not be named parties in the Victim Jane Doe's lawsuit.

Although she has alleged they should be held culpable because the department's cover-up, essentially enabled his behavior, the City Attorney said the lawsuit is more about the damage she suffered and the damages she is due.

The city has reportedly settled claims with a dozen other complainants, he said, and San Diego understands it is legally liable for the former officers' on-the-job actions.