Dallas, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Griffith Bates Champion & Harper partner Casey Griffith filed a lawsuit on behalf of Dallas Det. Katrina Ahrens, the widow of slain DPD officer Sr. Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, against the Dallas Police Association (DPA), the DPA’s Assist the Officer Foundation (ATO), DPD officer Frederick Frazier, and others who have interfered with donations collected to support the families of the five officers who lost their lives during the Dallas sniper attack on July 7, 2016.
The lawsuit alleges the DPA and the ATO—at the direction of Frazier, himself a DPD officer—are holding hostage and failing to account for funds generously donated to Det. Ahrens, refusing to release them unless she concedes to their demands. Following the 2016 shooting, the public generously donated millions of dollars to the families of the five fallen police officers. The ATO collected these funds, but Frazier is attempting to impose unlawful limitations on the families' use of the funds and has ordered all donations for Det. Ahrens be withheld unless she concedes to his demands.
Frazier, on behalf of the ATO, entered into a contract with the City of Dallas to intercept and open mail directed to Det. Ahrens, diverting cash and checks donated to her in the wake of the July 2016 attacks that caused the loss of her husband. The money was allegedly deposited in an account controlled by the defendants without Det. Ahrens' knowledge or consent. The ATO, at Frazier's direction, has refused to provide this money to Det. Ahrens unless she relents to its demands. The lawsuit also alleges the ATO has failed to account for the money it intercepted from Det. Ahrens' mail.
The lawsuit, Katrina Ahrens v. Dallas Police Association, DPA's Assist the Officer Foundation, Inc., Frederick Frazier, City of Dallas, and Zak Products II, LLC, also alleges the defendants used Sr. Cpl. Ahrens' name and likeness without Det. Ahrens' permission, which included using Sr. Cpl. Ahrens' name in a NASCAR partnership with ZAK Products II, LLC, a Berkshire Hathaway company.
Shortly after filing the lawsuit, Griffith secured a temporary restraining order from a Johnson County district judge, which prevents Frazier, the DPA, and the ATO from using or transferring any donations earmarked for Det. Ahrens' family.
“Det. Ahrens sought to resolve this matter privately, but was forced to file this lawsuit when it became apparent the ATO was not going to account for their handling of the public's donations," Griffith said. "Det. Ahrens is committed to ensuring the families of our fallen officers receive the support our community generously provided, and only asks that the defendants do the right thing."
“Frazier has no authority to hold Det. Ahrens' funds hostage and interfere with support that was intended to help her with short- and long-term financial needs," Griffith said. "Officers like Det. Ahrens are trusted to protect and serve our communities, but Frazier won't trust her to protect and serve her own family."
About Griffith Bates Champion & Harper
Griffith Bates Champion & Harper LLP is a boutique law firm in Dallas, Texas, devoted to complex business litigation. The Firm's attorneys have been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Rising Stars, and among the Best Lawyers in Dallas. To contact Griffith Bates Champion & Harper, call 214-238-8400, or visit www.griffithbates.com.
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