Latinos to File Federal Lawsuit Against East Haven Cops Tuesday

(Update, 10:20 p.m. Chief Lenny Gallo and nine East Haven police officers named on lawsuit. Read the Yale law students' release.)

Town Hall was mum Monday night about a civil lawsuit reportedly being filed in New Haven federal court Tuesday morning by nine Latinos against the town of East Haven. Yale students, who have been investigating alleged racial profiling and other civil rights violations in this town, are expected to file the suit. There will be a 2 p.m. press conference in front of the court.

Mayor April Capone Almon is expected to release a press statement some time Tuesday, according to a Town Hall source.

The Yale investigation, triggered by complaints from local Latino residents and business owners, led to a Department of Justice civil investigation into the matter. The DOJ has not yet issued its findings to the town.

In addition to the nine named in the suit, Father James Manship, of St. Rose of Lima Church in New Haven, is named, said a source close to the case who asked not to be identified. Manwhip was arrested in 2009 in My Country Store on Main Street having been called there by the Latino owner and customers claiming  police were harassing them. Manship's charges were later dropped. The DOJ stepped in afterwards.

Manship did not return a call left for him Monday afternoon.

This follows a $900.000 jury award last week, also in federal court, for the estate of Malik Jones. East Haven police shot to death Jones in 1997, after a high-speed chase. The lawsuit claims Jones, who was black, was a victim of racial profiling.