Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis police officer has pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of perjury, falsifying records and civil rights violations by using excessive force.
The Star Tribune says Michael Lewis Griffin was arraigned Thursday and was released on a $25,000 bond. The indictment against the 40-year-old says he assaulted at least four people while off-duty, after identifying himself as an officer, then filed false reports.
The indictment includes nine counts. In one case, the indictment says Griffin was outside a Minneapolis nightclub in 2010 when his friend started arguing with a man who tried to walk away. It says Griffin followed the man, punched him until he lost consciousness, told officers to arrest the man and filed a false report.
Griffin is due back in court July 22.
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