LAPD Chief’s Daughter Arraigned in Drug Case

The 37-year-daughter of Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks was arraigned Monday in a Las Vegas courtroom on felony drug charges, authorities said.

Michelle Lynette Parks, a civilian clerk for the LAPD, is accused of conspiracy to sell cocaine and trafficking in cocaine.

After her arraignment, Parks was released on her own recognizance and ordered to return to court Sept. 29 to determine whether she is financially able to hire her own defense attorney or will need a public defender appointed to represent her. She has not yet entered a plea.

Prosecutors allege that Parks and an accomplice conspired to sell 20 grams of cocaine to an undercover Las Vegas police officer June 25.

Parks allegedly drove the accomplice to a spot where the transaction occurred, prosecutors said. Parks’ alleged partner was identified as Reginald Gathwright, 21.

If convicted of the charges, Parks faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Chief Parks declined Monday to comment on his daughter’s situation.

“As a matter of department policy, the LAPD does not comment on other agencies’ investigations,” said Cmdr. Dave Kalish, the chief’s spokesman.

Kalish said Michelle Parks has been on medical leave from her LAPD job since November 1997. She has been with the department since April 1996, he said.

Clark County Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Scott Mitchell said an arrest warrant had been issued for Parks last week.

Las Vegas police notified LAPD officials that they had issued an arrest warrant for Parks. After finding out that she was wanted by police, Parks surrendered to authorities Monday.

Mitchell said he was unaware of Parks’ relationship to the LAPD chief until reporters started calling his office Monday.

“This is just a routine case for us,” Mitchell said.

A law enforcement source said Parks identified herself as the chief’s daughter when Las Vegas patrol officers pulled her over shortly after the alleged drug transaction.

Parks was not immediately arrested because the investigation was continuing, authorities said.

Kalish said the LAPD is conducting an internal investigation into the allegations against Parks. “She’s being treated like any other employee,” he said.

Chief Parks, who has four grown children--three daughters and a son--is not the only local official to have the actions of his relatives scrutinized because of his prominence.

When former Chief Daryl F. Gates was in office, his son Scott was arrested several times on suspicion of drug possession and was sentenced to a year in jail for the 1985 robbery of a pharmacy.

Phyllis Bradley, daughter of former Mayor Tom Bradley, pleaded guilty in 1990 to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.