This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The FBI is investigating former Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Lisa Steed for civil rights violations, an attorney said Sunday.
Michael Studebaker said 10 of his clients recently spoke to FBI agents. He said his clients have not been asked to speak to a grand jury.
"They're still at an early stage of any investigation," Studebaker said.
Steed has been accused of arresting people for DUI who were sober. Two judges have found Steed lied on the witness stand.
Steed's attorney, Greg Skordas, said he was unaware of any FBI investigation. Skordas has described Steed's transgressions as minor and not criminal. Steed is contesting UHP's firing her.
Studebaker said Julie Tapia is among those who have spoken to the FBI. Tapia said she had not been drinking or using drugs but Steed still arrested her for driving under the influence, leaving Tapia's daughter, who is confined to a wheelchair, home alone. Tapia is one of the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit filed against UHP that plaintiff attorneys want to make into a class action.
Despite her termination, Steed is scheduled to testify in a DUI case Monday in Salt Lake City justice court, according to defense attorney Jesse Nix, who sent an email notifying reporters of the case on Sunday.
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