1995: The joint narcotics task force investigation code-named Mala Sangre (“Bad Blood”) commences.
1997: Five Mala Sangre investigators allege that they were reassigned, and the probe effectively shut down, once they uncovered evidence of involvement in narcotics trafficking, and then subsequent cover-ups, by APD officers. They file whistle-blower suits, which are eventually settled by the city for undisclosed sums.
1998: Jeff White is assigned to handle – alone – what remains of the Mala Sangre operation.
2000: In an interview connected to the Mala Sangre whistle-blower suits, White alleges to city outside counsel Lowell Denton that then-APD Assistant Chief Jimmy Chapman had interfered with the Mala Sangre probe. White says he made similar allegations to a local FBI agent and APD Internal Affairs.
2001: White is himself transferred, and then blocked from another assignment, due to “poor performance,” despite having exemplary APD evaluations up until that time.
2002: White files suit, alleging that Chapman had him reassigned in retaliation for speaking up about Mala Sangre. The city fails to get the case dismissed.
2003: A long series of depositions in White’s suit reveals additional allegations of misconduct against Chapman, who allegedly perjures himself in his own deposition in the case. Chapman retires after an outside probe of that charge proved “inconclusive.”
This article appears in June 25 • 2004.