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GREENSBORO — A black police officer suing the city for discrimination is expected to claim that a City Council member promised to get criminal charges against him dismissed if he dropped his lawsuit.

Officer A.J. Blake has scheduled a news conference today to discuss the incident that led to him being convicted of assaulting a woman at the Greensboro Police Club on Jan. 17.

Blake, who is suspended without pay while his case is appealed, claims his charges stem from “deeply rooted prejudices within the Greensboro Police Department,” according to a news release Monday.

“Officer Blake will share how a certain Greensboro City Council member promised to get the assault charges dropped against him if he withdrew from the Justice Department suit,” the release said.

Blake did not reveal the name of the council member Monday.

However, Councilman Mike Barber said he met with Blake three times.

Barber said he never promised to get charges dropped. Other council members said they haven’t spoken to Blake.

The Rev. Cardes Brown said the news conference will shed new light on the assault case and differences among how officers are treated when accused of crimes.

“Other officers have been suspended (following charges) and it’s my understanding they weren’t treated the same,” Brown said.

“Some things beg to be answered. (Police) need to be consistent in their practices and policies.”

Blake is one of about 40 black police officers who claim police leaders directed a detective and other officers to investigate them. They filed a discrimination suit against the city in January.

At a news conference in May, Barber asked the officers to drop the case. Barber claimed some officers wanted to have their names removed but wouldn’t because of the strong influence of a select few officers listed in the suit.

On Monday, Barber said Blake came to his law practice three times, without an appointment, to discuss his suspension and criminal charges.

“He felt he was being treated unfairly on the leave-without-pay issue,” Barber said. On that occasion, Barber said he discussed the leave policy with the city attorney. Blake approached Barber because he lives in his council district, Barber said.

During one visit, Blake told Barber about potentially inappropriate “social organizations” in the police department. Barber would not explain the details of the conversation, but he said he passed that information to the police chief.

Barber said he never offered to make Blake a deal, nor would he have any authority to do that.

When reached by phone, Blake said he would provide more details today. He referred other comments to Brown, who is organizing the news conference. Brown did not return calls for comment.

The news release also said  Blake will “explain further that the charges brought against him are also related to his expressed opposition to the abuse of police power by some members of GPD’s Gang Unit in their interaction with street groups, especially Latinos.”

Blake is assigned to the gang unit but has been recommended for termination because of the assault charges. He is appealing that decision within the department.

Capt. John Wolfe, who leads the department’s investigative support division, which includes the gang unit, said Blake’s allegations cannot be substantiated.

The news conference will be at 2 p.m. today at New Light Missionary Baptist Church at 1105 Willow Road.

 Staff Writer Amanda Lehmert contributed.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com