Death threat fuels federal lawsuit

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A 20-year police veteran has filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was demoted and falsely accused of threatening to kill Sheriff Frank Anderson. Lt. Chris Heffner claims the treatment was retaliation for being critical of the merge of the Indianapolis police and Marion County Sheriff's Departments.

The suit alleges that in December 2006, a death threat against Sheriff Anderson's life was placed to 911. The caller said, "I'm going to kill that n***** Frank Anderson." IMPD began an investigation into that death threat. The suit alleges that in August 2007, FBI agents and then-Deputy Chief Scott Robinett questioned Heffner about the call. Heffner was then placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Heffner claims he was on leave for 18 months.

Heffner claims Robinett, who led the investigation, played the recording for officers in an attempt to get them to identify Heffner as the caller. After playing the call, Heffner says Robinett asked questions including, "Tell me if you think this sounds like Chris Heffner" and "I have this tape of Chris Heffner threatening the Sheriff, listen to it and tell me what you think." The suit claims none of the officers identified Heffner.

A grand jury was then convened to investigate the death threat. No charges were filed against Heffner for those calls.

Heffner says in March 2009, Chief Michael Spears called him and asked him to return to work. Heffner says all happened after he was critical of the 2007 merger of the two police departments.

The lawsuit is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for lost overtime wages and not having the opportunity to be promoted. Sheriff Frank Anderson, Scott Robinett and the city of Indianapolis are all named in the lawsuit.

City spokesperson Robert Vane had no comment on the lawsuit.

Here is a statement about the lawsuit from Sheriff Frank Anderson: The plaintiff’s complaint is groundless. In December 2006, Sheriff Frank Anderson was the victim of a malicious death threat. The death threat was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and handled by the U. S. Attorney’s Office. Sheriff Anderson has the utmost respect for the FBI and trust that the matter was handled in accord with standard policy and procedure. Thus, Sheriff Anderson has full faith and confidence that he will be fully exonerated in this matter.

To read the federal lawsuit, click here.