An internal investigation is underway into the men’s allegations.
Two of the three Red Dog officers involved in the alleged fondling of the two men were also involved in the illegal raid on the Atlanta Eagle, a gay Midtown bar. Patrons in the bar that night, who later sued the city, said members of the paramilitary Red Dog Unit used anti-gay slurs against them, used excessive force, and searched them without probable cause. None of the patrons were arrested during the raid.
The city settled a federal lawsuit with the Eagle plaintiffs last month for more than $1 million. The settlement also included reforms to APD’s standard operating procedures by mandating no more illegal search and seizures, as well as an internal investigation into all of the officers involved in the raid.