In April 2024, LAPD officers David Gonzales, David Abdalian and Estevan Garcia responded to a location on Franklin Avenue to inform an individual that they were allegedly in violation of a stay-away order issued by the Church of Scientology. However, the individual did not have a stay-away order prohibiting their presence at the Scientology Celebrity Centre.
Rather than verifying the accuracy of the information—which was incorrect—the officers relied solely on claims made by the Church of Scientology without conducting proper due diligence. Acting on this unverified information, the officers issued an unlawful directive for the individual to leave the premises. They concluded the encounter by informing the individual that a crime report would be filed regarding the incident.
LAPD officer David Gonzales gives an unlawful order after failing to verify information