Ludwick interviewed some of the athletes involved. Then, he declined to continue as part of the case after believing that some of the information uncovered was obtained illegally. The lawsuit notes that others in the department were also concerned about the legality of the investigation. Additionally, Ludwick alleged the DCI began investigating him after his testimony for violating policy.
Smith said the assistant Los Angeles city attorney wanted his signature on a prewritten sworn declaration that described how LAPD officers had no choice but to use force against a volatile crowd hurling bottles and smoke bombs during a 2020 protest in Tujunga. He refused to put his name on it. Instead, eight months later, Smith filed his own lawsuit against the city, alleging he faced retaliation for trying to blow the whistle on a range of misconduct within the LAPD.
The spokesperson shared a statement on behalf of the group calling the administration's decision to place the staff was retaliation against civil servants for whistleblowing, which it said "is both illegal and a deep betrayal of the most dedicated among us."