MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis police officer has pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of perjury, falsifying records and civil rights violations by using excessive force.
The Star Tribune says (http://strib.mn/1ElYAjN ) Michael Lewis Griffin was arraigned Thursday and was released on a $25,000 bond. The indictment against the 40-year-old says he assaulted at least four people while off-duty, after identifying himself as an officer, then filed false reports.
The indictment includes nine counts. In one case, the indictment says Griffin was outside a Minneapolis nightclub in 2010 when his friend started arguing with a man who tried to walk away. It says Griffin followed the man, punched him until he lost consciousness, told officers to arrest the man and filed a false report.
Griffin is due back in court July 22.
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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com
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