Dallas Prosecutor Fired After Alleged Rant Against Uber Driver
A Dallas prosecutor has been fired from her job after she allegedly became belligerent with an Uber driver, hit him after he got lost, and threatened…
November 14, 2017 at 01:26 PM
6 minute read
A Dallas prosecutor has been fired from her job after she allegedly became belligerent with an Uber driver, hit him after he got lost, and threatened him with kidnapping charges after he asked her to exit his vehicle.
The Dallas County District Attorney decided to fire Jody Warner, 32, who had been assigned to the crimes against children division, after media reports featuring an audio recording captured highlighted Warner's alleged abuse of an Uber driver who picked her up from an East Dallas pub.
The Uber driver, Shaun Platt, 26, allegedly recorded Warner as she can be heard calling him names including “an idiot,” “a legitimate retard” and “stupid,” according to a report in The Dallas Morning News. Platt alleged that after Warner lightly hit his back when he missed a turn, he stopped the ride and asked her to get out of the car.
When she refused and repeatedly identified herself as an assistant district attorney, Platt called 911 and started recording audio of the incident.
“Oh my God, you're an idiot. You are a legitimate retard,” the passenger says. “I want to go home so badly but you're so stupid I want the cops to come so that they can [expletive] you up, that's what I want.”
“I think this might be kidnapping right now, actually,” she says.
“It's not kidnapping, ma'am. You're free to leave,” he says.
“No, it is because there was an Uber that had a destination and you have not taken me to that destination. You're holding me here, so please take me to that destination,” she says. “Ma'am, will you please leave my vehicle,” he says. “Under the law, it's recklessly keeping me from where I was going, and you have done that,” she says. “You're kidnapping me. You're committing a third- to first-degree felony, so do you want to take me home?”
Warner could not be located for comment. Platt did not respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Johnson said that after conducting a thorough investigation, she decided to terminate Warner on Nov. 13.
“Although criminal charges have not been filed, her behavior is contrary to this office's core principle of integrity, and it will not be tolerated,” Johnson said. “As public servants, we represent the people of Dallas County and are examples of justice, professionalism, and ethical behavior both inside and outside of the courtroom. I will not waver on my expectation of the highest integrity for myself or my staff,” she said.
“I will continue to run this office with transparency and respect for the justice system and the community we serve. I encourage you, the public, to look beyond this incident and recognize that our prosecutors work hard each day to seek justice on your behalf,” Johnson said.
A Dallas prosecutor has been fired from her job after she allegedly became belligerent with an Uber driver, hit him after he got lost, and threatened him with kidnapping charges after he asked her to exit his vehicle.
The Dallas County District Attorney decided to fire Jody Warner, 32, who had been assigned to the crimes against children division, after media reports featuring an audio recording captured highlighted Warner's alleged abuse of an Uber driver who picked her up from an East Dallas pub.
The Uber driver, Shaun Platt, 26, allegedly recorded Warner as she can be heard calling him names including “an idiot,” “a legitimate retard” and “stupid,” according to a report in The Dallas Morning News. Platt alleged that after Warner lightly hit his back when he missed a turn, he stopped the ride and asked her to get out of the car.
When she refused and repeatedly identified herself as an assistant district attorney, Platt called 911 and started recording audio of the incident.
“Oh my God, you're an idiot. You are a legitimate retard,” the passenger says. “I want to go home so badly but you're so stupid I want the cops to come so that they can [expletive] you up, that's what I want.”
“I think this might be kidnapping right now, actually,” she says.
“It's not kidnapping, ma'am. You're free to leave,” he says.
“No, it is because there was an Uber that had a destination and you have not taken me to that destination. You're holding me here, so please take me to that destination,” she says. “Ma'am, will you please leave my vehicle,” he says. “Under the law, it's recklessly keeping me from where I was going, and you have done that,” she says. “You're kidnapping me. You're committing a third- to first-degree felony, so do you want to take me home?”
Warner could not be located for comment. Platt did not respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Johnson said that after conducting a thorough investigation, she decided to terminate Warner on Nov. 13.
“Although criminal charges have not been filed, her behavior is contrary to this office's core principle of integrity, and it will not be tolerated,” Johnson said. “As public servants, we represent the people of Dallas County and are examples of justice, professionalism, and ethical behavior both inside and outside of the courtroom. I will not waver on my expectation of the highest integrity for myself or my staff,” she said.
“I will continue to run this office with transparency and respect for the justice system and the community we serve. I encourage you, the public, to look beyond this incident and recognize that our prosecutors work hard each day to seek justice on your behalf,” Johnson said.
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