The Justice Department will likely sue the Ferguson, Missouri, police department over what the government says is racial discrimination, CNN reported.
It was previously reported that the federal agency is unlikely to bring any civil rights charges against former Officer Darren Wilson for the death of teenager Michael Brown. But now it seems the Justice Department may threaten to sue the police department if they do not change some of their practices and procedures.
Sources told CNN that investigators had uncovered a number of violations in Ferguson and at departments in neighboring areas. That included allegedly targeting low-income groups for minor traffic violations, then imprisoning them when they couldn’t pay their fines.
Speaking at the National Press Club Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder said he expects to announce the results of the department’s Ferguson investigation before he leaves office. He is expected to depart in the coming weeks, though Mr. Holder is still waiting for the Senate to confirm his replacement, Loretta Lynch.
In November, a grand jury decided not to bring any charges against Mr. Wilson, setting off protests and violent riots nationwide. Many civil rights advocates then turned their attention to the Justice Department, which has been conducting its own investigation into the shooting.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
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