Associated Press
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — A Los Angeles gay rights group says Manhattan Beach police were wrong to release to the media the names and photos of 18 men arrested in an undercover gay sex sting last week.
The LA Gay & Lesbian Center tells the Los Angeles Times that release of the information could lead to public humiliation and one of the arrestees attempted suicide after results of the sting were made public.
Various local media published the identifying information.
The sting occurred after lifeguards told police the Marine Avenue beach bathroom was popular for sexual encounters.
Undercover officers posing as men seeking sex arrested the men, who were booked for investigation of offenses ranging from lewd conduct to indecent exposure.
City Attorney Roxanne Diaz says police commonly release identifying information of arrestees.
Copyright 2012 Associated Press