I-TEAM: Police monitor will not be removed after casino incident
[Attached video shows a recent I-Team story regarding the police monitor investigation]
CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has found a federal judge will not force the head of the Cleveland Police Monitoring team to resign despite an encounter with police at the Jack Casino.
A filing just posted shows the Court continues to support Karl Racine overseeing reform in the Cleveland Division of Police.
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An order from Judge Solomon Oliver says, '…the court finds that there is no information before it which would justify removal of Mr. Racine as Monitor based on the Casino incident.' And, 'The Court is strongly convinced that Mr. Racine and his team are committed to helping the City attain full compliance as soon as possible.'
Racine heads a group overseeing Cleveland Police reform with some members earning up to $750 an hour.
In January, an off-duty Cleveland Police officer working downtown at the casino asked for back-up. The officer said Karl Racine was refusing to leave the casino. Racine did ultimately leave and no charges were filed against him.
Days ago, the FOX 8 I-team revealed a letter sent by Cleveland Councilman Brian Kazy asking Judge Oliver to force the Police Monitor to resign.
But, the new court order also says, 'The court recognizes, and regrets, the distraction this incident has caused. Mr. Racine and his team have served the court and the parties well in our desire to see the City reach full compliance with the Consent Decree. Much progress has been made, but there is still considerable work to be done.' And, 'The court looks forward to working with the City, the United States, and the Monitor on an ongoing basis in an effort to meet our shared goal of full compliance.'
Councilman Kazy had written to the Judge, 'I am taking the unusual step of contacting you directly about this case because of my urgent concerns about the fitness of the court's monitor based on recent conduct as reported in the media.'
Racine has previously told us he acted appropriately and he brought up the matter with the Cleveland Police Chief, but he did not file a complaint against the officer involved at the casino.
Kazy's letter to the Judge also said, 'This incident – and the reported investigation by the Office of Professional Standards – creates a shadow of bias and a cloud of suspicion of impropriety that can't be undone. If OPS terminates its investigation, is that because of the fear of the Monitor? If OPS finds that there is no wrongdoing by Monitor Racine, are they worried about retaliation? If the Monitor gives a positive evaluation of OPS or the City, is that a reward? If the Monitor gives a negative evaluation of OPS or the City, is that retaliation?'
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The Judge's order also addressed that, saying, 'The court also indicated to the parties that it was confident Mr. Racine would not be biased in his role as Monitor as a result of the Casino incident.'
The FOX 8 I-Team also has reported, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno filed a formal complaint against Karl Racine.
Senator Moreno sent a letter dated March 25 to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Washington D.C. about his concerns since Racine is a lawyer based in D.C
'I write to express my profound concerns about actions taken by Karl Racine that may constitute serious professional misconduct under the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct,' the letter states. I respectfully request that the Office of Disciplinary Counsel open an investigation to determine whether Mr. Racine violated applicable D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct and should be subject to disciplinary action.'
The Judge has never responded to any request for comment from the I-Team during the years Cleveland Police have been under federal watch.
Racine has also said, previously, in a statement, he could not understand why he was not being allowed inside.
Meantime, the head of the Cleveland Police union has indicated what he learned about the encounter with Racine in January.
'He didn't use an ID. He said, 'Hey I'm, here with the Department of Justice. I'm a monitor,'' said Andrew Gasiewski, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association .
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Gasiewski added that he believes his officers acted properly.
Additionally, Senator Moreno's letter also brings up questions about bills the federal monitoring team sent to the City of Cleveland. The I-Team has reported issues with the bills in the past, including a bill the group sent to the city for writing a sympathy note after an officer died.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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