Justice Department issues statement following Brelo verdict

Statement from Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach for the Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony for the FBI:

“The U.S. Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice have been monitoring the extensive investigation that has been conducted around the events of Nov. 29, 2012.  We will now review the testimony and evidence presented in the state trial.  We will continue our assessment, review all available legal options and will collaboratively determine what, if any, additional steps are available and appropriate given the requirements and limitations of the applicable laws in the federal judicial system.  This review is separate and distinct from the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney's Office's productive efforts to resolve civil pattern and practice allegations under 42 U.S.C. 14141 with the city of Cleveland.”