Pubdate: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 Source: Daily Southtown (IL) Copyright: 2000 Daily Southtown Contact: 6901 W. 159th St., Tinley Park, IL 60477 Fax: (708) 633-5999 Website: http://www.dailysouthtown.com/ Author: Associated Press L.A. MAYOR WANTS TOBACCO FUND TO COVER COP SUITS LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mayor Richard Riordan recommended Thursday that Los Angeles set aside its entire $300 million share of the national tobacco settlement to cover lawsuits brought by victims of the city's police corruption scandal. "This is the best use of these dollars," Riordan said at a news conference. "Though we have no way of knowing the dollar amount, we must expect and prepare for tens of millions of dollars of liability." The mayor said the move would safeguard against possible cuts in city services or new taxes. City officials have estimated that lawsuits associated with the scandal in the police department's Rampart Division will cost at least $125 million. Lawsuits already have been filed on behalf of some men wrongly imprisoned police. Investigators say rogue cops planted evidence, made up testimony, staged crime scenes and in some cases shot unarmed suspects. Under the national $206 billion tobacco settlement, Los Angeles is to get up to $300 million over 25 years. Also Thursday, a judge agreed to throw out the convictions of nine more people whose cases prosecutors say were tainted by police misconduct. The dismissals bring to 40 the number of convictions overturned. "We have dozens of more cases under review," District Attorney Gil Garcetti said. More than 20 officers have been relieved of duty, fired, suspended or have quit since the investigation started last fall. Police have refused to say how many officers are still under suspicion. Garcetti said he is doubling the number of prosecutors assigned to the investigation, with a staff of 19 expected to be on board within the next two weeks. Former undercover officer Rafael Perez, convicted of stealing cocaine from an evidence locker, has detailed the corruption in his former unit and suggested it went beyond Rampart. No charges have been filed against any officers implicated in the corruption, though police have recommended prosecuting three officers and Garcetti has said he expects his investigation to result in charges. Four cities, including Los Angeles, and all 58 counties in the state will share in the estimated $25 billion California will receive over the next 25 years from the nationwide settlement. The money is intended to repay states, cities and counties for health care costs associated with smoking. Riordan said the city does not have a formal spending plan for the money but it probably would have been spent on anti-smoking programs and street improvements. His proposal requires approval from the City Council. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D