Naked City
A Mala Sangre timeline
Fri., Aug. 19, 2005
1997: First whistle-blower lawsuits filed by former Mala Sangre investigators who say they were transferred because they persisted in investigating leads alleging police corruption. After initial investigators are transferred, Jeff White is assigned as the lone investigator on Mala Sangre.
2000: White, interviewed as a potential witness in whistle-blower lawsuits, tells city attorney Lowell Denton that in order to "get to the bottom" of the case he should look at then-Assistant Chief Jimmy Chapman.
2001: Other Mala Sangre lawsuits settled.
May 2002: White files suit against APD claiming Chapman had him transferred from a plum assignment in retaliation for his comments to Denton.
July 2003: Chapman testifies in a deposition that he had nothing to do with White's transfer, and that he had not interfered in an unrelated Internal Affairs investigation.
August-September 2003: APD Chief Stan Knee announces that he'll hire outside investigator James McLaughlin to investigate whether Chapman lied under oath during his deposition testimony. In September, Chapman is placed on restricted duty while McLaughlin investigates.
December 2003: On Dec. 17, McLaughlin reports to city officials that his investigation into Chapman's conduct was "inconclusive." On Dec. 18, Chapman announces his retirement, effective Dec. 31.
June 2004: A Travis Co. judge denies city's bid for summary judgement in White's case, saying there's enough evidence to warrant a trial.
November 2004: Lowell Denton disqualified from continuing to represent city in the case. City later replaces him with in-house counsel Lynn Carter.
May, 2005: White files second whistle-blower claim, alleging that he was denied another transfer because of his pending civil suit.
June: City Council authorizes $150,000 contract to hire Nancy Ebe to defend against White suit.
August: Retired Judge Pete Lowry declines to postpone White trial until next year, ruling that trial will begin Nov. 14.
