Richmond city manager speaks out about firing officers connected to sex scandal

RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- ABC7 news is learning new details about the decision by the Richmond city manager to fire three additional police officers connected to a sex scandal involving a 19-year-old sex worker.

RELATED: 4 Richmond officers fired in connection with sex scandal

The Richmond police chief had recommended just one of his officers be fired last month.

But this weekend, the city manager decided three more need to go. "In my independent review of all that evidence, I determined that disciplinary action was warranted that included termination," Richmond City Manager Bill Lindsay said.

He hopes this swift action will help restore confidence in the department and Richmond Mayor Tom Butt agrees. "We've been recognized for having a really good police department and when something like this happens, you want to deal with it, you want to deal with it properly and move on," Butt said.

The president of the Richmond Police Officer's Association declined to comment, but he did tell ABC7 News the POA will help those officers with legal counsel if they decide to appeal the dismissals.

RELATED: City of Richmond announces discipline recommendations for 9 cops ties to teen sex scandal

A total of 11 Richmond officers were implicated in the sex scandal involving 19-year-old Jasmine Abuslin.

Two left the department on their own and five others have been formally reprimanded.

Civil Rights Attorney John Burris is representing Abuslin in her $30 million claim against the city of Richmond. "Well, for my client, it goes to her credibility. She has given statements to all of these police departments, many of which before lawyers were involved," Burris said.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has filed criminal charges against five officers at other East Bay police departments.

But no one at the Richmond Police Department has been charged.

The city manager doesn't expect that to change. "Nothing in my review indicated that there was criminal activity. But ultimately that's for the district attorney to decide," Lindsay said.

Abuslin's attorney says she was a minor when she started having sexual relationships with police officers and the civil claim alleges Richmond officers exploited her instead of helping her.

Click here for full coverage on the Bay Area police sex scandal.