Judge rejects whistleblower claims of D.C. officers

By ERIC TUCKER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) – A judge has rejected a whistleblower lawsuit brought by three D.C. police officers over drunken driving enforcement.

The officers alleged that they were retaliated against for raising concerns about inaccurately calibrated breath-testing equipment used to evaluate suspected drunken drivers. The police department stopped using the machines in 2010 after discovering problems that could make a driver’s breath-alcohol content appear higher than it was.

The officers also suggested that lawyers in the attorney general’s office encouraged them to give false testimony.

Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein ruled in the district government’s favor in rejecting the lawsuit Tuesday. He said there was no evidence to support the officers’ claims.

Kris Baumann, the head of the police officers’ union, said the judge’s ruling prevents the D.C. government from being held accountable.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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