Judge Refuses to Reverse Cancellation of Party for Powell

A federal court judge has rejected a conservative legal group’s request for an order reversing the cancellation of a “welcome home” party at the Police Academy for former LAPD Officer Laurence M. Powell when he completes his sentence for beating Rodney G. King.

U.S. District Court Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. on Monday denied a request for a temporary restraining order, without comment.

But Richard Delgaudio, president of the Legal Affairs Council, which is sponsoring the fund-raising dinner, said Tuesday that the group would not drop its $150-million suit against the City Council and other city agencies for allegedly pressuring the Police Academy board to cancel an agreement to rent out a site for the fete.

“You cannot use the power of government to violate our free-speech rights,” Delgaudio said. “We are considering postponement, possibly cancellation of the event, but we will continue with the lawsuit.”

The board of the Police Revolver and Athletic Club, which operates at the Police Academy, last month canceled the dinner at the club after city officials and the public complained.

Powell, who is scheduled to be released from a halfway house next Wednesday, was convicted in August 1993 of violating King’s civil rights in the incident that led to deadly rioting, after Powell and other officers were originally acquitted by a Simi Valley jury.

After the club canceled the dinner, the Fairfax, Va.-based Legal Affairs Council sued for $155 million.

Several conservative lawmakers, including county Supervisor Mike Antonovich and Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills), have signed to support the fund-raiser.