The Los Angeles Police Inspector General’s Office announced Tuesday that former LAPD Chief Michael Moore has been cleared of misconduct in a months-long investigation that accused two internal affairs detectives of ordering an inquiry into Mayor Karen Bass’ ties to USC.
Acting Inspector General Florence Yu said her office’s investigators found the complaint against Moore was “unfounded,” meaning they proved no misconduct had occurred. Yu announced the results of the investigation Tuesday during a meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners, a five-member civilian panel that oversees the department.
The detectives’ attorney, Greg Smith, called the investigation part of a cover-up effort by a commission that “has been politicized and protected Chief Moore for years.” He said that as evidence, investigators did not even bother to question his clients, the detectives who filed the original complaint.
Moore said in an interview Tuesday that he was pleased with the outcome of the investigation into an allegation he described as “without any basis.”
“It made no sense and was blown out of proportion,” he said. “I’m glad to know that the investigation found that what I said from the beginning – (the spies’ complaint) was not true.”
The allegations against Moore were first reported by the Los Angeles Times late last year, after two detectives filed a complaint with the inspector general’s office, saying they were ordered to investigate Bass shortly after his election. Moore has vehemently denied the allegations.
The two senior detectives who filed the claims said they were summoned to a meeting with then-Internal Affairs chief Capt. Divyesh “John” Shah, who requested an investigation into Bass and suggested the order came from Moore.
In their complaints, the detectives said they found Moore’s alleged request so disturbing that they ultimately refused to do the work. It’s unclear why internal affairs investigators would have been asked to conduct such an investigation.
Shah has relinquished charge of internal affairs after being promoted to the post of commander.
Speaking to the commission on Tuesday, Yoo did not provide any specifics about his office’s investigation. Nor did he comment on questions raised by the whistleblower, who said Moore’s subordinates may have misinterpreted the chief’s words and requested an investigation without Bass’ knowledge.
Questions about Bass’ $95,000 scholarship to USC’s school of social work were raised by her opponent in the 2022 mayoral race, Rick Caruso. He criticized Bass, a former Assembly speaker and six-term member of Congress, for accepting it and later introducing legislation that would have given USC and other private universities broader eligibility for federal funding.
Bass has long denied any wrongdoing. The House Committee on Ethics approved his request to accept the tutoring award.
Although federal prosecutors did not charge Bass, they did the court documents said that his scholarship and his dealings with USC were “critical” to a corruption case involving the university and a top Los Angeles County elected official.
Moore abruptly announced his resignation in January, saying he would not serve out his second five-year term so he could spend more time with his family. He and Bass have repeatedly said the allegations had nothing to do with his decision to retire.
Commissioner William Briggs said Tuesday that the inspector general’s investigation made it clear “the allegations against former Chief Moore are completely false, they’re defamatory, there’s literally no evidence” that he acted improperly.
“It’s unfortunate that we live in a time where people can make completely unfounded allegations,” Briggs said, adding that “the motives of the officers who made these allegations will be investigated.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, interim police chief Dominic Choi said he could not comment on the matter as he was not aware of the investigation’s findings.
A spokesman for Bass did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
Smith, a lawyer for the detectives, dismissed the investigation’s findings as political theater.
Smith said in a statement, “The Commission also found no misconduct when a video aired showing Chief Moore staggering drunkenly at a Las Vegas casino. I cannot recall any instance when the IG or the Commission found any wrongdoing by Moore; it appears they are protecting his image rather than investigating wrongdoing.”
“After numerous officers complained that Moore wanted the mayor to investigate, the commission now intends to retaliate against those officers in a blatant attempt to stifle the rights of employees who wish to file complaints against high-ranking LAPD officials who commit misconduct and abuse their positions,” Smith wrote.
He also said that given Moore’s close relationship with recently retired Inspector General Mark Smith — who cited Moore as a reference when applying for a police watchdog job in Portland — the investigation amounted to a conflict of interest.
