Deputies Claim Racist Gangs Control Los Angeles Sheriff's Dept.

Threaten those who expose it, according to lawsuit

White racist gangs operate at the highest levels of Los Angeles County's Sheriff's Department, threatened the lives of deputies who exposed it and branded them as "race traitors" and "snitches," two deputies claim in court.

Deputies Michael Rathbun and James Sexton sued Los Angeles County, Sheriff Leroy Baca, Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, Lt. Greg Thompson and "Detective Perkins," in Federal Court.

They seek damages for retaliation, constitutional violations, malicious prosecution, conspiracy, harassment and other charges.