In addition, the department has been told to produce records related to internal affairs investigations initiated in response to use-of-force complaints between 2003 to the present for the officers named in the subpoena.
Officials with the FBI confirmed Wednesday that they are investigating possible civil rights violations by Burbank Police officers. Sources familiar with the investigation said it was unrelated to a series of recent lawsuits by seven officers against the department and its management alleging racial discrimination and retaliation. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller would not comment on specifics of the probe by the agency's civil rights division or on how long the probe would last.
According to the subpoena, authorities requested records related to several officers including Omar Rodriguez, Jose Cruz Duran, Neil Thomas Gunn Sr., Christian Dereck Canales, Jon Murphy Jr., Mike George Reyes, Steve Sarkis Karagiosian, Armen Dermenjian, William Hampton "Bill" Taylor, Nick Wayne Nichols, Tommy Perez and Edgar Manuel Penaranda, according to the subpoena.
Federal officials are seeking use-of-force complaints or allegations generated in response to a Dec. 28, 2007, robbery of Porto's Bakery a well as records in connection with the Aug. 23, 2007, arrest of Rene Escarsega, the subpoena states.
At least three of the officers -- Karagiosian, Rodriguez and Taylor -- are among seven current or former officers who have filed suit against the city and police department alleging violations of civil rights.
The latest was filed last month by Taylor, who alleged that his demotion to captain from deputy chief was due to supporting officers who had filed complaints against the department.
