California

Woman at Center of Oakland Police Sex Scandal Sues City for $66 Million

Two officers formally charged in the scandal that’s rocked the Bay Area police departments for weeks

The city of Oakland was slapped with a $66 million suit on behalf of the woman at the center of a massive sex abuse scandal on Friday, hours after two former police officers were formally charged.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office filed criminal charges Friday in the ongoing sexual misconduct case involving Jasmine, formerly referred to as Celeste Guap, who the daughter of a police dispatcher.

The multi-million dollar lawsuit claims that both the city and its police department were negligent and exploitative in its handling of the case, according to court documents.

Criminal defense attorney Christian Picone said Friday's move was "step one before bringing a lawsuit."

The lawsuit alleged that members of the Oakland Police Department, "either directly engaged in, stood by with a blind eye, or acted to cover up this modern-day slavery of (Jasmine)."

The lawsuit continued: "These acts constitute unlawful forced labor, trafficking into servitude and sex trafficking of a child by force, fraud and coercion and have caused (Jasmine) to suffer unimaginable abuse, paid, and suffering that she and her family will endure for the rest of her life."

Although the lawsuit is a blow to Oakland, some city leaders admitted that they knew a claim was coming.

"If it is what is presented today, we have to come up and pay for it," councilman Noel Galleo said. "[It] will have an impact on our budget to do public services on the streets."

Daniel Black, formerly of the Livermore police force has been charged with five counts, including engaging in prostitution, lewd public behavior and giving alcohol to a minor, according to court records.

Court documents reveal that Black picked up the young woman in a motorhome last April and took Jasmine out to dinner, telling her, "Just to be clear, I'm not paying you, but I will buy you dinner." Later, the pair engaged in oral copulation and sex.

Meanwhile, Leroy Johnson, a retired Oakland Police Department sergeant, faces a charge for failing to report child abuse after having knowledge that Jasmine was having sex with his colleagues, according to court documents.

Picone says if the case goes to trial, social media will play a big role in the case and so will Jasmine’s age.

“She’s a minor – she can’t consent,” he said.

Jasmine has accused dozen of law enforcement members from across the East Bay, including Richmond, of engaging in sexual relationships with her over the years, at times when she was a minor. 

"All I can think about is there will be other women that are going to come forth with similar stories or actions claiming lawsuits," Noel said.

NBC Bay Area reached out to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, but a spokesperson for her office said only that she cannot comment on pending litigation. Richmond Mayor Tim Butt, meanwhile, said he is unaware of any claim having been filed against the city.

Contact Us