Joseph Lopeteguy, the whistleblowing police chief of the Kern High School District filed a civil lawsuit Friday against the district, according to an article by the Bakersfield Californian.
The article states that the suit alleges KHSD administrators pressured Lopeteguy to run illegal background checks on students through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS).
Lopeteguy alleges that when he refused to do so, administrators retaliated by placing him on administrative leave.
The legal complaint alleges a culture of illegal practices and misuse of CLETS within the school district, according to the article.
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KHSD placed Lopeteguy on administrative leave in May of 2016 and was reinstated in August of 2016. The article states Lopeteguy left on medical leave shortly after.
Lopeteguy was being investigated by the Kern County District Attorney's Office for alleged misuse, the case was turned over to the Tulare County District Attorney's Office by the Kern County D.A. because of the district attorney's office's relationship with those involved.
In November of 2016, the Tulare County D.A.'s office announced charges would not be filed against Lopeteguy.
