Cases of Lawrence officer in ticket scheme studied

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Douglas County prosecutors are investigating pending or past cases involving two suspended Lawrence police officers suspected of dismissing speeding tickets in exchange for Kansas basketball tickets.

Also Tuesday, city officials confirmed they are investigating whether other police officers were involved in dismissing the tickets.

City officials say the person whose traffic tickets were fixed is serving a federal prison sentence related to a broader Kansas ticket scandal.

The two officers were suspended earlier this month after an FBI investigation. Douglas County prosecutors say they are trying to determine if the officers' conduct damaged their credibility in other cases.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports city officials won't name the two officers, and also refused to say how many other officers might have been involved and how many tickets were fixed.

The following statement was released Wednesday afternoon from District Attorney Charles Branson:

"I have discussed this matter with Chief Khatib and he has provided me with the names of the officers that are the subject of this investigation. I have an obligation to review any case that involves those officers and determine if the alleged misconduct is material to the defense in any case they are associated with or if the conduct damages that officer’s credibility.

Pursuant to Giglio v. United States - 405 U.S. 150 (1972), and its progeny, information that may impact the officer’s veracity, show a propensity for bias or any evidence of a crime may be required to be turned over to defense counsel. We will diligently review our files, past and current, to makes sure that appropriate parties are notified. "