BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Two lawsuits filed in federal court accuse a Shafter City Council member of sabotaging several police officers’ careers for not obeying his personal orders.
The lawsuits are filed by three Shafter police officers and a lieutenant — Tim King, Storm Kinkade, Kevin Archuleta and Lt. Marvin Gomez — allegedly targeted by Councilman Gilbert Alvarado after they reportedly went against his orders at the 2024 Shafter Christmas Parade.
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According to the suits, 16 unpermitted street vendors sold hot dogs and light-up balloons at the parade. The three officers asked them to disperse, according to the documents.
Alvarado allegedly told the officers to remove the street vendors. When they didn’t immediately comply, he complained and began physically leading the officers to the vendors he wanted arrested, according to the lawsuits…