Capt Hollywood The ex LAPD boss who tipped off CBS to Moonves assault

Known around the Los Angeles Police Department as “Capt. Hollywood, ” Cory Palka played the part. Tall and telegenic, the former police commander scored bit parts in Amazon Prime Video’s detective drama “Bosch. ” He was a regular at Hollywood Boulevard star dedication ceremonies, where he mingled with such celebrities as Jack Black, Seth MacFarlane and Lynda Carter. He was once honored as a “Hero of Hollywood” by the Chamber of Commerce and picked up a lucrative off-duty assignment as a bodyguard for CBS’ former chief, Leslie Moonves. His actions now are under scrutiny after New York Atty. Gen. Letitia James recently revealed that five years ago, Palka tipped off CBS executives to the existence of a confidential complaint alleging Moonves sexually assaulted a co-worker in the 1980s. Palka, then captain of the LAPD’s Hollywood station, worked closely with CBS to contain the allegations they knew could destroy Moonves’ career. Moonves resigned from CBS under pressure in 2018 amid the widening sex scandal. That week, Palka sent the disgraced mogul a note: “I will always stand with, by and pledge my allegiance to you, ” according to the attorney general’s report.“This feels like a throwback to the 1930s when LAPD covered up Hollywood’s dirty deeds, ” said Walter Katz, vice president of criminal justice at Arnold Ventures, a top policing oversight expert. LAPD Chief Michel Moore this month opened an internal investigation to determine whether anyone still working for the department helped Palka conceal the 2017 police report about Moonves and if any other criminal investigations were tainted. Last week, the Los Angeles Police Commission asked its independent watchdog to oversee the investigation. LAPD Inspector General Mark Smith told the civilian police commission that he would examine the “department’s practices” for handling sexual misconduct cases and take a close look at its guidelines for off-duty bodyguard work by officers. Dist. Atty. George Gascon said he will weigh whether the results of the LAPD investigation merit prosecution. His office is checking to see if Palka was key to other cases. The fallout continues to reverberate as former CBS sitcom star Leah Remini called on the department to dig into Palka’s dealings with the Church of Scientology, which maintains a base, and its Celebrity Centre, in the heart of Hollywood. Remini said she is troubled that Palka tried to shield Moonves and wonders if other reports were concealed to protect powerful friends.“The police are there to protect and to serve the public, ” she told The Times. “And you cannot be doing the work for the public when you are in the pocket of any organization. ”Karin Pouw, a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology, said in a statement Remini had no credibility and has been “making a living attacking Scientology. ”Palka, who did not respond to requests for comment, retired from the department in early 2021 after a 34-year career. All data is taken from the source: http://latimes.com Article Link: https://www.latimes.com/california/st... #palka #newsdaily #newsworldbbc #newstodayfox #newstodayworld #newstodaycnn #