January 20, 2001, Saturday Metro Edition
Copyright 2001 Capital City Press
SATURDAY State-Times/Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA.)
January 20, 2001, Saturday Metro Edition
(NEW ORLEANS) -- A police officer facing a fourth trial Monday on charges of kidnapping and raping five women has been fired.
The action was taken earlier this month against George Lee III by New Orleans Police Superintendent Richard Pennington, the department said Thursday.
“All officers must meet a certain standard of expectation, and if you don’t, action will be taken,” said Lt. Marlon Defillo, a police spokesman.
Lee’s attorney, Robert Jenkins, said he does not believe the firing will stand. Lee’s civil service hearing was held while Lee was in court on the kidnapping and rape charges, and he did not have a chance to defend himself, Jenkins said.
“Such a hearing is improper, and we’re not concerned,” Jenkins said, promising an appeal.
Lee, a married father of four, is accused of using his position as a police officer to intimidate women into having sex with him between September 1998 and September 1999.
His fourth trial is scheduled to begin Monday. Three earlier trials ended in mistrial.
After his arrest, Lee was assigned to desk duty. He was suspended in August for violating a court order forbidding him to have contact with his alleged victims and was jailed in lieu of $200,000 bond.