A Los Angeles police commander who is the target of a lawsuit filed by the union representing LAPD lieutenants and ranks below is seeking her removal as a defendant in the case, which alleges fraud and unlawful computer data access.
In the Los Angeles Superior Court suit originally filed Aug. 7 and amended Aug. 19, the Los Angeles Police Protective League alleges Cmdr. Lillian Carranza used bogus online credentials to access confidential emails, communications and surveys distributed by the union to its members.
The suit initially alleged causes of action for fraud, unfair competition and a violation of the state Penal Code. The revised complaint added additional allegations, including conspiracy as well as one more count each of fraud, unfair competition and violation of the Penal Code. In addition, Deputy Chief Marc Reina was added as a co-defendant with Carranza.
On Thursday, Carranza’s attorneys filed court papers with Judge Bruce Iwasaki seeking dismissal of all allegations against her. One of the motions is filed under the state’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law, which aims to prevent the use of the courts, and potential threats of a lawsuit, to intimidate those who are exercising their First Amendment rights.
In a sworn declaration, Carranza says she came under the protection of a different Los Angeles Police Department union once she was promoted to captain in 2012.
“While I understood that LAPPL’s bargaining unit would no longer represent me based on my status as a captain, I continued to have access to the LAPPL website and received correspondence, emails from LAPPL and accessed its website to monitor my benefits via the members’ portal,” Carranza says. “Upon becoming a captain, I still had my dental insurance, long term disability insurance and life insurance through LAPPL.”
According to the union’s suit, Carranza, Reina and an unknown number of “Does” entered into an agreement to “illegally, fraudulently and unlawfully access LAPPL communications and surveys utilized during the collective bargaining process by utilizing false credentials and intentional misrepresentations of rank.”
Beginning in at least 2016, Reina falsified his credentials and/or identity in order to obtain confidential emails, communications and surveys the LAPPL sent to its members through its online electronic portal used to communicate with authorized members, the amended suit states.
In January 2023, Reina completed a survey intended for use by LAPPL members only and as part of his submission for the review, Reina “falsely and intentionally stated that his rank was lieutenant, a rank he had not held for more than 10 years,” the suit alleges.
The union alleges that Carranza — who leads the LAPD’s Central Bureau — also successfully accessed and completed a survey that was intended for union members, while falsely claiming she was a lieutenant.
“Between 2016 and 2024, Carranza opened approximately 49 of the 141 confidential emails sent by the LAPPL to its members, emails that Carranza knew she was not authorized to receive or view, and knew that but for her falsification of credentials and identity, she would not have received,” according to lawsuit.
The union uses three online platforms to administer surveys. The union does not represent the LAPD’s high-ranking officers.
According to the union, in January 2023, Carranza successfully completed an online form titled “LAPPL MOU Survey 2023.” The survey was intended as a means for the LAPPL to collect feedback from its members regarding labor contracts with the city, union officials contend.
Carranza completed the survey, stating her rank was lieutenant, a rank she had not held for more than 10 years, according to the lawsuit.
The suit further alleges that in July, Carranza tried to access and complete another online form titled “2024 LAPPL Captain Assessment and Organizational Morale Survey.” According to the union, that survey was designed to capture union members’ concerns and anonymous evaluations or assessments of captains in the department.
According to the LAPPL, the union relies on the surveys to develop accurate information from its members that is then used in collective bargaining and assists in the representation of its members.
But Carranza says that in taking a 2016 survey, she encountered a drop-down menu that did not include her then-rank of captain.
“Therefore, I simply entered the highest rank that was available on the drop-down menu and proceeded with the survey,” Carranza says. “If the LAPPL had not wanted me to take the survey, it had only to block my access.”
Carranza says the police union invited her to take this year’s survey.
“I believed that it was important for me to complete the survey as a means of assisting in assuring the quality and integrity of the LAPD,” according to Carranza, whose dismissal motions are scheduled for hearing in mid-November.