Metro approves payout to couple forced into sex act

Keith Paul

Monday, May 22, 2000 | 10:54 a.m.

Metro Police's fiscal oversight board this morning approved a $100,000 payout to a couple forced by a then-Metro officer to perform sex acts.

Norma McKee and Michael Healy both filed federal lawsuits in 1998 stemming from the Oct. 4, 1996, incident. In the separately filed suits, they both accused then-Metro Officer Michael Ramirez of approaching their car as they sat looking at the night sky near Red Rock Canyon.

The then-girlfriend and boyfriend complained to police a couple of days later that Ramirez, who was not in uniform but displayed his Metro badge and gun, used the indirect threat of arrest to force them to comply with his request to perform a sex act in front of him.

According to court papers, Ramirez hinted the couple might be framed for a crime if they disobeyed his wishes.

"Sometimes things get concluded rather than go forward with a trial and all of the publicity," said Cal Potter, an attorney for Healy. "Both of them wanted to put this behind them."

Metro had been negotiating separately with attorneys for Healy and McKee. The original offer to Healy was for $10,000, but Metro officials recently agreed to increase the amount to $50,000 for each of them.

The Metro Fiscal Affairs Committee at its monthly meeting approved without discussion the recommendation to pay the two $50,000 apiece. The board is made up of one citizen, two Las Vegas City Council members and two Clark County Commission members.

"The officer involved was our employee and he was negligent in his duties, and therefore, our department is liable in the amounts approved," said Lt. Marc Joseph, a Metro spokesman.

Healy, McKee and McKee's attorneys could not be reached for comment this morning.

Ramirez was fired in February 1997 after five years with the department.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of oppression under the color of office in April 1998 and was sentenced to an indeterminate period of probation and six months of house arrest. He was living in Phoenix at the time of his sentencing.

Keith Paul covers crime and public safety for the Sun. He can be reached at (702) 259-4057 or by e-mail at keith@lasvegassun.com.