A D.C. police officer was ordered to stand trial next month on charges of slapping his girlfriend — charges that have already brought the officer’s boss a 35-day suspension and caused a new rift between the police and prosecutors.
Luis Rivera, 41, is accused of attacking his girlfriend in an incident in November. He’ll stand trial on domestic violence charges on July 17.
But the charges against him have already caused a conflict between Rivera’s sergeant and a leading prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Sgt. Paul E. Hustle says he was suspended for 35 days without pay for arguing with U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Higashi, the supervisor of the domestic violence unit. Hustle says that after Rivera’s girlfriend told authorities that Rivera hadn’t struck her, prosecutors were prepared to drop the charges — until they found he was a police officer.
Hustle says he and Higashi discussed the case and that the conversation was civil. But he says Higashi complained to the Internal Affairs Division, accusing Hustle of trying to intimidate her.
Higashi didn’t return calls seeking comment.
Hustle is appealing his suspension, but it may take months to sort out. He says that he feels betrayed by the prosecutor’s attitude.
“We’re supposed to be on the same side here,” he said.
