ST. PAUL, Minn. - A federal trial is underway for a Minneapolis police officer charged with perjury, falsifying records and civil rights violations by using excessive force.
Michael Lewis Griffin, 40, is accused of assaulting at least four people while off-duty after identifying himself as an officer, then filing false reports.
The incidents cited in the nine-count indictment date back to 2010 and 2011.
The indictment says Griffin was outside a Minneapolis nightclub in 2010 when his friend started arguing with a man who tried to walk away. It says Griffin followed the man, punched him until he lost consciousness, told officers to arrest the man and filed a false report.
The City of Minneapolis has paid more than $400,000 in civil lawsuits against Griffin.
In his eight years as a Minneapolis patrol officer, Griffin's file had 22 internal complaints, but only one was sustained.
A jury was seated Monday and opening statements are expected to begin Tuesday morning.