Long Beach police stings improperly targeted gays, judge rules
LONG BEACH — A judge who said police improperly targeted gay men in sting operations has dismissed charges of lewd conduct and indecent exposure against a man who was arrested in a public restroom.
Moroney, 50, was arrested after a detective acting as a vice unit decoy said he exposed himself in a restroom at Recreation Park in the Los Angeles suburb.
Moroney said the detective, who smiled, nodded and made eye contact in the restroom, appeared to be interested in sex.
“The arbitrary enforcement of the law as seen in this case undermines the credibility of our legal system, eroding public confidence in our ability to achieve just results,” the judge said in his closing remarks.
Police Chief Robert Luna said the department is “100 percent committed to civil rights and equality for all people, including the LGBTQ community” and has many openly homosexual employees.