COLUMBUS (AP) — The head of the union representing Columbus police officers is strongly denying politics played any part in the arrest of a porn actress.
Stormy Daniels was arrested after a performance Wednesday at a Northeast Side strip club, though the charges were later dropped.
Daniels claims she slept with Donald Trump before he became president.
Daniels’ lawyer says some of the officers had social media pages that appeared to be very much in favor of Trump, who has repeatedly denied having had sex with Daniels.
Union president Jason Pappas said Friday the officers applied an illegal sexual contact law indiscriminately, charging two other women in addition to Daniels.
He said it’s “absolutely untrue” the arrests were politically motivated.
Pappas notes the undercover team included female and black officers.
Police Chief Kim Jacobs has acknowledged that the arresting officers made a mistake and has promised an internal review but says the claims by Daniels’ lawyer are unfounded.