Hoax FOP release issued in Pittsburgh teen beating

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh’s police union says a bogus news release distributed to the media claimed the union had stopped its support of three officers accused of assaulting a performing art honors student.

The faked release sent out Monday claimed the Fraternal Order of Police was withdrawing its support of officers who allegedly beat 18-year-old Jordan Miles a year ago.

Miles, who is black, claims the white officers targeted him because he was walking in a high-crime area then conspired to file false charges against him and concoct a cover story for the beating.

The union wants the FBI to investigate the fake release, which appeared under modified union letterhead.

Union president Dan O’Hara says the FOP stands behind the officers, who have not been charged but remain suspended.