Second fired Eagle raid officer denied getting job back

Adams’ attorney, Mary Huber, accused the city at the hearing of trying to appease Eagle attorney Dan Grossman and deflect bad publicity surrounding the APD because of the botched raid.

“In the rush to settle the lawsuit, the city is throwing this officer under the bus to make Mr. Grossman happy and go away,” said Huber.

Adams testified he believed there was a search warrant for the raid before the Red Dog Unit barged into the bar to provide support to the Vice Unit and that he ordered the patrons on the ground to be allowed to sit up because they were being cooperative and he was a “humane” person.

“That particular night everybody was cooperative. Certain things of this operation were standard and we thought it was legal,” Adams said.

Police Chief George Turner testified at Adams’ hearing, reiterating the department’s policy to fire officers who have lied.

Huber told WABE’s Jim Burress that Adams plans to appeal the decision in Fulton Superior Court.

On Nov. 10, former APD officer Cayenne Mayes, also involved in the Eagle raid, was denied his appeal to return to the force.

On Sept. 10, 2009, the Eagle was raided by the APD’s now disbanded Red Dog Unit and Vice Unit. The raid was in response to two anonymous tips to the city that illegal sex and drug use was taking place in the bar. Nobody was arrested on charges for either of those allegations.

In December 2010, the city settled a federal civil lawsuit with patrons of the bar for $1.025 million. Two more lawsuits against the city are pending. The city also settled with employees of the bar for $120,000.

 

Top photo: Former Atlanta Police Department Sgt. Willie Adams testifying before the Civil Service Board on Oct. 20 and asking for his job back after being fired in the fallout of the botched raid on the Atlanta Eagle. (by Dyana Bagby)