No new charges against Metro Gang Strike Force

The case against the Metro Gang Strike Force has come to an end.

The Gang Strike Force came to public attention two years ago, when a state audit raised questions about the unit's record keeping and accountability.

A subsequent state investigation found that police in the unit were taking cash and goods from suspected criminals without adequate documentation, and may have been diverting some of the seizures to personal use.

A report in August of 2009 found what investigators called substantial evidence of misconduct. Last summer, police agencies involved in the unit reached a $3 million civil settlement with complainants against the strike force.

Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman said there wasn't enough evidence for state criminal charges. FBI spokesman Steve Warfield says a federal case is also closed.

"There are no additional charges going to be filed," Warfield said.

The unit was disbanded two years ago.

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