Ex-Officer Claims Surveillance Violated his Rights

Enlarge image

Credit Tulsa County Booking Photo

Harold Wells

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A former Tulsa police officer serving a 10-year prison sentence for his role in a corruption scandal says a videotaped FBI sting that showed him stealing money during what he thought was a motel drug bust violated his constitutional rights. Ex-Corporal Harold Wells, a 35-year-police veteran, made the claim in a brief filed Thursday with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Wells was among 11 officers to be charged or named as unindicted co-conspirators in the scandal, which was among the worst to ever hit the department.

A federal investigation has resulted in more than 40 defendants having convictions overturned or winning release from prison.

Federal prosecutor Jane Duke did not immediately return a message seeking comment Friday morning.