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Six years ago, in September 2017, Metropolitan Police Department Officer Sean Lojacono searched two people on the same day. In both instances, about 30 minutes apart, Lojacono used the same invasive technique, which involved shoving his hand into a suspect’s crotch and buttocks.
For the first search, of M.B. Cottingham, which was caught on video, MPD imposed no discipline on Lojacono and instead issued him a “letter of prejudice”—not for the search, but for his failure to arrest Cottingham for an open container of alcohol. For the second, nearly identical search, MPD fired Lojacono in March of 2019 after a highly publicized administrative trial, known as an adverse action hearing, where police brass sit in judgment of officers facing suspension or termination.
Lojacono appealed his termination, and in November 2023 a third-party arbitrator ordered MPD to rehire him. (At the time, D.C. police officers’ collective bargaining agreement gave them the right to appeal disciplinary matters to arbitration.) The arbitrator’s ruling also awards Lojacono back pay, lost potential overtime wages, benefits, any forfeited leave, and any lost seniority; the ruling also instructs MPD to reinstate Lojacono to his old post on the Narcotics and Specialized Investigations Division.
The arbitrator largely sided with the primary arguments Lojacono gave during the adverse action hearing: that he was simply conducting searches as he was trained to do, and that MPD hadn’t fired other officers for similar tactics. MPD used him as a scapegoat for a widespread practice, Lojacono argued, essentially because the search of Cottingham was caught on a viral video and made the department look bad. A police supervisor even testified on Lojacono’s behalf at the hearing. MPD later fired him, too.
The department’s decision to downplay the first search of Cottingham “can only be said to have blessed, approved, legitimized and sanctioned [Lojacono’s] search of [the second man],” the arbitrator found. The Public Employee Relations Board upheld the arbitrator’s decision in March.
MPD could appeal the ruling to the D.C. Superior Court. A department spokesperson referred City Paper to the Office of the Attorney General, which represents MPD in these matters. An OAG spokesperson did not respond to questions by press time.
To hear from Cottingham and Lojacono about his potential reinstatement to the force, read our full story online.
—Mitch Ryals (tips? [email protected])
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- Local college students gathered on the George Washington University campus Thursday to protest the war in Gaza. The demonstration, which continues Friday, is part of similar protests on college campuses throughout the country. [DC News Now, Post]
- Metro’s board of directors approved a new $4.8 billion budget Thursday that does not include major cuts to bus and rail service, but fares will begin to increase June 30. Bus fare jumps from $2 to $2.50; the maximum Metrorail fare will increase from $6 to $6.75; and late night and weekend rail fare will increase from $2 to up to $2.50. [NBC Washington, WJLA]
- The Commanders picked Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the NFL draft. (WCP owner Mark Ein is part of the Commanders’ new ownership group.) [WTOP]
- D.C. police identified the three people who were killed this week in separate shootings. Quentin Brown, 17, was shot and killed Wednesday in Woodland around 10:45 p.m. A 25-year-old man was shot and killed in Petworth about 90 minutes later. And Ricky Canty, 38, was shot multiple times in Deanwood around 12:30 a.m. Thursday. He later died in a hospital. [WTOP]
By City Paper Staff (tips? [email protected])
- DC Circulator riders say that the planned closure of the bus service will seriously screw up their commutes, particularly for those living in Ward 8. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s deputies hope that Metro will take over many of the old Circulator bus routes instead, but there’s one problem with that plan: Has the city “put any additional money into the budget this year for WMATA to create brand-new local routes?” wonders Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen. “The answer is no.” [Post, Informer]
- Bowser officially opened the Department of Housing and Community Development’s new Anacostia headquarters Thursday, framing it as a campaign promise kept to the neighborhood. But as Anacostia changes, how will the city protect its longtime residents? [Post]
- MPD is parting ways with 21 formerly retired (and recently rehired) officers, largely due to concerns about unspecified “serious misconduct.” Officials chalk this up to a provision from a police reform bill passed two years ago that limits the city from hiring cops with past misconduct allegations. The DC Police Union claims this is proof that the legislation “continues to wreak havoc on the police department.” [WTOP, WUSA9, NBC Washington, Post]
By Alex Koma (tips? [email protected])
- Service Bar and Allegory made the the list of top 50 best bars in North America, coming in at nos. 22 and 23, respectively. But what this list really tells me is we need to go drinking in Mexico City. [TheWorlds50Best]
- Disco sushi opens tonight. Sushi by Bou, the new disco-theme Japanese omakase spot, is making a home atop the citizenM Hotel. Do with this information what you will. [Axios]
By City Paper staff (tips? [email protected])
Unknown Soldier: A Valiant Quest With an Underwhelming Conclusion
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- Dani Levinas, an art collector known for his influence on D.C. culture, died on April 22 at his Miami home. The 75-year-old was the board chair of the Phillips Collection from 2016 through 2022. [Post]
- More than 250 bands will perform tomorrow across a nearly two-mile stretch in Petworth for the neighborhood’s fourth annual PorchFest. [Washingtonian]
- If you’re star-spotting this weekend, here are a few places to camp out. [Washingtonian]
- Before author Erik Larson lands in D.C. on Wednesday to discuss the lead up to the Civil War, read a review of his latest book on the same subject. [Post]
By Sarah Marloff (tips? [email protected])
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