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An Oregon police chief is on administrative leave while an investigation is underway into a lawsuit from a Black man who was wrongfully arrested. West Linn Police Chief Terry Kruger has been placed on paid administrative leave on April 8.

“Administrative leave ensures that all parties have the opportunity to clearly and completely answer questions and explain their actions,” the city said in a statement. “It is not a determination of wrongdoing on the part of Chief Kruger or anyone else. Any such determination can only be made after the investigation is complete.”

Micheal Fesser filed the suit against the city’s police department after he was arrested in 2017 where he was accused of stealing from A&B Towing Co., his employer. The arrest was later discovered to be staged by then-West Linn Police Chief Terry Timeus, who was friends with Eric Benson, the company’s owner, according to The Oregonian. Before his arrest, Fesser complained about racial discrimination he experienced in the workplace and Benson was worried about a potential lawsuit. According to court documents, co-workers used racial slurs toward him and brandished a confederate flag.

The West Linn officers were also outside of their jurisdiction when they started investigating Fesser.

The West Linn officers also operated outside of their jurisdiction when they began investigating Fesser. Fesser lives in Portland, and A&B Towing is located in Portland. Kruger was placed as chief after Fesser’s arrest, however, some residents some have called for his firing. Kruger defended Fesser’s arrest according to documentation from meetings between the chief and city officials.

“It’s not an illegal investigation. There wasn’t illegal surveillance. It wasn’t an unlawful arrest. There wasn’t a violation of his civil rights. These are the allegations. But it was a legitimate investigation,’’ Kruger said during a September 2018 meeting. “There was probable cause. They did arrest him lawfully. He was indicted for crimes.’’

In February Fesser was awarded $600,000 settlement from the city and $415,000 from his former employer.