Trial to Begin for Former Prosecutor Accused of Revenge Crime

The trial of a former Philadelphia prosecutor, accused of carrying out a revenge crime on her ex-boyfriend and lying to police, is set to begin on Monday.

Lynn Nichols, a former Philadelphia assistant district attorney, resigned in October 2013 after evidence surfaced that she allegedly used her position to help a boyfriend and then, once they broke up, file a false police report.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office says Nichols pressured a Philadelphia Police officer to remove a car, driven by her boyfriend, but owned by another woman, from the city's stolen car database.

But when their relationship ended, officials allege, Nichols went to the woman who owned the car and together they devised a plan to report the vehicle as stolen. They allegedly called 911 and then Nichols called a police department in New Jersey and told them where they could locate the car. However, the other woman, flipped on Nichols and told police about their plan.

Nichols stands charged with making false reports and obstruction of justice.

The 48-year-old spent 22 years working in the Philadelphia DA’s Office. During her time there, she prosecuted rapper Beanie Sigel for attempted murder and was part of a team that reviewed DUI cases after Philadelphia Police revealed their Breathalyzers were incorrectly calibrated.

A spokesperson for the DA’s office says none of Nichols cases have been called into question.

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