A retired detective from the Metropolitan Police Department pleaded no contest on Thursday to attempted libel after being accused of harassing his former supervisor.
Christopher Lange, 51, agreed to stay out of trouble, pay $500 to Lt. Richard Meyers, the recipient of 16 letters meant to cause harm, and attend impulse control classes as part of the agreement with prosecutors, said Lange’s attorney, Jess Marchese.
Initially facing charges of libel and stalking, the prosecution reduced the charges to attempted libel, a misdemeanor offense. Marchese and others were surprised that criminal libel was being used in this case, as it is not common in jurisdictions with strong free speech protections.
Although Marchese wanted to fight the charges, he emphasized that the focus was on Lange moving forward with his life and putting the case behind him. Lange’s no contest plea indicates that he accepted the conviction without admitting guilt.
Lange had been removed from his role in the sex assault unit at Metro due to allegations of neglect of duty, misconduct, and mishandling criminal cases. Despite being recommended for termination in 2020, Lange retired in 2021 before a hearing on his dismissal.
Meyers, the supervisor, filed a complaint against Lange with Metro’s Internal Affairs Bureau, citing anonymous letters that accused Meyers of inappropriate behavior at work. Investigations found the claims in the letters to be false, but Meyers reported feeling harassed and terrorized.
The case highlights the challenges of addressing workplace disputes and the importance of maintaining professionalism and integrity in law enforcement. Moving forward, it is crucial for all parties involved to focus on their respective responsibilities and work towards a positive resolution.
For more updates on legal matters and law enforcement news, contact Estelle Atkinson at eatkinson@reviewjournal.com or follow @estelleatkinsonreports on Instagram.
