LAPD SCANDAL TO COST MILLIONS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Los Angeles faces payouts of at least $75 million to $125 million because of civil lawsuits stemming from the Rampart Division police corruption scandal, the Daily News learned Wednesday.

The estimate was disclosed during a 90-minute, closed-door meeting Wednesday of the City Council with Police Chief Bernard C. Parks and officials from the City Attorney's Office.

Officials who asked not to be identified said Tim McOsker, chief deputy to City Attorney James Hahn, provided the estimate, based on the cases now before the city. McOsker told council members the amount could increase, depending on how far the probe widens.

In addition, McOsker told the council that consideration is being given to forming a special panel of attorneys and public officials to review the claims as they come in to determine whether they can be settled before going to court.

Also, he said, the City Attorney's Office probably will need additional funds to hire more attorneys and support staffers as well as engage outside attorneys for cases where there are conflicts.

``Everyone was pretty distressed by it,'' one official said. ``It is definitely not what anyone wanted to hear.''

At the same time, Parks was closely questioned by council members on the extent of the corruption, whether it had gone to other parts of the Los Angeles Police Department and the systems in place to root out corruption.

During the session, council members pointed out that the problem at the Rampart Division's anti-gang CRASH unit, Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums, came out only because a former officer, Rafael Perez, was arrested for stealing cocaine from an evidence locker and was seeking a plea bargain.

Perez told investigators that he and others planted evidence and assaulted and shot suspects.

Several people have been released from prison already and charges are being dropped against others who were awaiting trial.

Last week, Parks said police believe as many as 99 individuals might have been framed by Perez or his partners.

Parks told the council Wednesday that he believed systems were in place to prevent corruption, but that those systems needed to be more aggressively enforced.

Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who chairs the council's Public Safety Committee that oversees the LAPD, said she is preparing to hold a series of hearings into the department's workings once it completes its internal Board of Inquiry later this month or in early March.

``My intent is to immediately begin a review, even if the Police Commission is conducting its own review,'' Miscikowski said. ``I think there will be so many issues - some involving the commission and others involving the council - that there will be enough for everyone to look at.

``This is too important a matter to have any kind of delay in beginning to make changes.''

Miscikowski said she could not discuss specific cases that Parks talked about with the council because of the potential liability the city could face.