Members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department who were once part of a jail gang intelligence unit have filed a lawsuit against the LASD.  The suit alleges that after they filed findings that "named names", and outed sworn personnel that were involved in illegal activity, they were harassed.   Their attorneys feel these deputies were maliciously prosecuted for doing their job.

Both LA County Sheriff Lee Baca and former Undersheriff Paul Tanka were among the suit's listed defendants.  Plaintiffs Michael Rathbun and James Sexton have further alleged the LASD hid a jail informant in order to prevent him from working with FBI employees.  The FBI had been brought in to investigate widespread rumors of inmate abuse and mistreatment.

The plaintiff's attorneys said Rathbun and Sexton had been assigned to a work with a group of deputies that helps get inmates to work as informants.  The purpose of that program, called Operation Safe Jails, is to help prevent gang violence within the county's jail system.   During their time in this role they observed a flurry of illegal activity.  At least one unnamed LASD deputy is reportedly alleged to have had an unlawful business relationship with a white supremacist gang member.  Another has been accused of helping members of a different gang.

It is unclear when preliminary hearings will begin.  The county has declined to comment on the suit, saying it is an ongoing legal matter.