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2nd Richmond Police Officer Resigns Amid Explorer Scandal

RICHMOND (CBS/AP) -- A second Richmond police officer has resigned in the midst of allegations that he and a colleague recruited scouts from the department's Explorer program to work for their private security firm.

Richmond police Capt. Mark Gagan said the department received a letter of resignation from Officer Ray Thomas on Monday.

The other officer, Danny Harris, left the force last week. The officers once ran the department's Explorer scout program. Two former scouts said that they each gave Harris $500, and he bought them guns illegally.

They allegedly carried the guns while working for the officers' security business.

Harris and Thomas have sued the department, alleging they were discriminated against because they are African American.

Thomas said he had distanced himself from the security firm's daily operations and was unfairly targeted.

 (Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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