LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A high-ranking Los Angeles Police Department official had been accused of having improper sexual relationships with officers under his command before his retirement was announced last week, it was reported today.
The allegations against Assistant Chief Jorge Villegas, a 29-year veteran of the department, were referred to LAPD Internal Affairs for an investigation earlier this month, according to three law enforcement and city officials with knowledge of the situation, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The sources said the department had not yet determined whether the allegations were true. It was also unclear if Villegas' announced retirement was related to the allegations.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore declined to comment.
Villegas, a longtime ally of Moore, led the office of support services, where he “effectively utilized new technologies to improve performance and reduce waste, implemented de-escalation training for all officers” and managed the LAPD's budget, according to his department biography. He also previously led the office of operations, where he helped update the agency's use-of-force policy.