Prosecutors are preparing charges against other LAPD officers but need permission from newly elected Dist. Steve Cooley to move forward, according to sources. Also, sources close to the probe said they expect the U.S. attorney's office to file criminal charges against LAPD officers next year. There is some uncertainty, however, over whether the U.S. Department of Justice under President-elect George W. Bush will remain as committed to the LAPD corruption investigation as it was under U.S. Atty. Gen. Janet Reno.
Any time there is change in the administration, there is uncertainty in the office.
If no new charges are brought against Perez, he is expected to be released from County Jail by spring. Another case expected to reach trial next year involves two former Central Division officers who are accused of beating up a homeless man by the Los Angeles River in 1997. A key witness against Christopher Coppock and David Cochrane is another onetime LAPD officer. The prosecutions are but one aspect of the scandal that will continue to unfold in the months ahead. In fact, many of the 70 officers who have been under investigation may never be charged with a crime because there is insufficient evidence, or because statutory deadlines have expired, officials said.