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Sunday, September 15, 2002

Union offers to pay $10,000 to defend police chief against perjury charge

By the Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Police Officers Union has offered $10,000 to help suspended Houston police chief C.O. Bradford defend himself against an aggravated perjury charge.

A grand jury indicted Bradford earlier this month. Bradford immediately stepped down on Sept. 6, saying he would defend himself against the charge and then return to the post he has held since 1996. Bradford has worked for the Houston Police Department since 1979.

"He's been a dues-paying member since he joined the department and his case meets the guidelines of our legal plan," union president Hans Marticiuc said in Saturday's editions of the Houston Chronicle. "He's being treated no differently than any other member."

The union gave Bradford the option of using two of its staff attorneys to help in his defense or $10,000 toward hiring his own private attorneys.

Bradford appeared in court Thursday with three defense lawyers who said they agreed to work on his case at a reduced pay rate.

The indictment alleges that Bradford lied under oath during a May grievance hearing during which he told those in attendance that he did not use profanity or call subordinates names during meetings.

Assistant Chief J.L. Breshears testified during the same hearing that Bradford had used a profanity, the newspaper reported.

Transcripts from the hearing show Bradford said under oath that profanity may sometimes be used at meetings but he didn't remember calling Breshears the name. He denied the allegation but said if he did call Breshears a name, it was wrong.

Marticiuc said a conflict of interest prevents Bradford from using the union's in-house lawyers to defend himself against the allegation that originated with Capt. Mark Aguirre.

The hearing where it is alleged that Bradford lied under oath was a grievance hearing for Aguirre, who was appealing a reprimand form Bradford for using threatening and profane language against his subordinates, the paper reported.

Aggravated perjury is a third-degree felony. If convicted, a defendant could spend up to 10 years in prison and be fined $10,000.

The police union includes about 90 percent of the city's officers, representing them in matters ranging from administrative investigations to disciplinary actions to criminal matters.

from the Reporter-News