Witnesses said the chief "went out of control" after the handcuffed suspect called him a "pervert" during an interrogation - punching, screaming and cursing and threatening to kill him with a heroin overdose. They said he kept liquor in his office and regularly drove drunk. FBI agents arrest the former Suffolk County Chief of Police James Burkeoutside his Smithtown home on Dec. 9, 2015. As a result, officers who were present for the beating or heard Burke brag about it at a Christmas party stayed quiet for years, prosecutors said. But, Wexler said, "He also did bad if you were not on his side. Before the sentencing, ex-Suffolk County police Chief James Burke apologized to police, the judge, the victim and the people of the community. By: News 12 Staff / A former high-ranking member of the Suffolk Police Department testifying in the trial of former Suffolk District Attorney Tom Spota and his chief investigator said Wednesday he was demoted by James Burke when Burke became police chief. A federal prosecutor involved in the case declined to comment Tuesday. To prove Mr. Spota and Mr. McPartland were guilty of obstruction, according to the defense, the government must show the two men knew they were asking others to lie. Welcome to the official website of Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. A commanding officer was assigned to warn witnesses that they could face retribution if they cooperated. The new facility, also known as a "residential reentry center" is meant to "provide assistance to inmates who are nearing release," according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Suffolk County Police Department Information - Civil Service Success Stacey Sager reports on the sentencing from Central Islip. Hell be vindicated, he said. Two Suffolk County criminal intelligence officers involved in the 2012 arrest of a Smithtown man convicted of taking a duffel bag out of former police chief James Burke's department-issued vehicle . I think we still have a long way to go," said Trotta, who spoke at the sentencing. He was released from prison this year after receiving a 46-month sentence. "There was a level of justice here and that even somebody as high ranking as the chief of police can't engage in that kind of misconduct and that kind of corruption and that kind of coverup and get away with it," said Loeb's lawyer, Bruce Barket. The heart and soul of the governments case rests on the credibility of one witness, Mr. Krantz said. Investigators are looking into the conduct of two of Mr. Spotas protgs Mr. Burke and the district attorneys top anticorruption prosecutor and any role they may have had in what federal prosecutors have described as a conspiracy to obstruct justice, three officials familiar with the investigation told The New York Times earlier this year. I have been fighting this corruption in Suffolk County long before Spota was prosecuted and the media began reporting on it. The man whose 2012 beating by Suffolk police led to prison terms for ex-Chief of Department James Burke and former District Attorney Thomas Spota alleges in a federal lawsuit that he was physically beat, terrorized and threatened by officers during a 2019 arrest. His full sentences was scheduled to be completed in April 2019. I find the corruption of an entire department by this defendant is shocking, Judge Wexler said in December. He was released last summer. County officials said Chief James Burke turned in his resignation, which is. In 2013, he had a contractor illegally put a GPS device on a high-ranking civilian police official he disliked, hoping to gather information that he could use for blackmail, according to the pre-sentencing letter. Chief of the Suffolk County Police Department James Burke addresses Suffolk County legislators in Hauppauge on Feb. 2, 2012. Credit: Ed Betz November 18, 2015 Didn't find what you. Former Suffolk County, New York, Police Chief James Burke was sentenced Wednesday to 46 months in federal prison after covering up the revenge beating of a man who stole a duffel bag. You told me my word was no good against that of a decorated police chief, said Loeb, who is serving a sentence for a parole violation. "We will seek to hold accountable anyone who violates another's civil rights or attempts to obstruct justice.". Former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer was stunned to have found the remains of four young women on an isolated stretch of Long Island's Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach.. U.S. District Court Judge Leonard Wexler said Burke's crimes went beyond the beating and affected the entire 2,000-member police department. There were some bombshells dropped Thursday in the obstruction of justice trial of former Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota and his top aide Christopher McPartland, including an allegation that former chief James Burke ordered officers to spy on Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke Sentenced to Federal Prison Former Suffolk Police Chief Accused of Assault, Covering up Federal Investigation Last month he was released from. Former Police Chief James Burke Released From Prison: Reports The governments key cooperating witness is James Hickey, a former top police official in Suffolk County. Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke apologized to his victim, the judge, his family and residents of his Long Island community before being sentenced to 46 months Wednesday by a federal judge. Loeb pleaded guilty to reckless driving in April, according to a spokeswoman for Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney. A Bag of Sex Toys, an Alleged Cover-Up and an Ex-D.A. Loeb later pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and was sentenced to three years in prison; he was released last summer. Two decades ago, as a sergeant, Mr. Burke had a sexual relationship with a prostitute, according to an internal affairs investigation that accused Mr. Burke of accidentally leaving his handgun with the woman, Newsday reported. They said the former police chief had concocted a cover story and never admitted to the defendants he had assaulted the man who took his bag. This week, Mr. Spota goes on trial along with one of his top deputies, Christopher McPartland, in a case that could expose the inner workings of a law enforcement culture on Long Island plagued by longstanding accusations of corruption. Burke, 52, who was Suffolks highest-ranking uniformed cop for four years until he resigned in late 2015, was segregated from other prisoners after the drug was discovered recently, sources told the paper. James Burke, Ex-Suffolk County Police Chief, Is Sentenced to 46 Months One officer told a federal agent that if that were true, "I'm a dead man," the letter said. Internal Affairs reports also found Burke had engaged in sexual acts in police vehicles and had a sexual relationship with "a convicted felon, known to be actively engaged in criminal conduct including the possession and sale of illegal drugs, prostitution and larceny.''. When the police later arrested a heroin user with the bag, Mr. Burke walked into the station house to confront the man, who was handcuffed to the floor of an interrogation room. In the 2012 incident that led to his downfall, Burke was exacting revenge on a man who broke into his SUV that year. Convicted Police Chief Released From Solitary: Sources Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke resigns amid controversy A union official falsely told several officers that Burke and "other high-ranking Suffolk County law enforcement authorities'' had secretly obtained copies of FBI memos containing the names of people speaking with investigators. Ex-Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke Sentenced To 46 Months In Last month he was released from custody and transferred to a halfway house in New York City, Newsday reports. Mr. Burke not only survived that incident but also thrived. In May 2013 the FBI and the US Attorney's Office opened an investigation into alleged actions by Burke when employed as Chief of the Suffolk County Police Department: the alleged assault of a suspect in police custody, a subsequent cover-up, and coercion of witnesses. Sources say Bellone didn't want a security detail, but Burke told him there was a threat against him so he had one for a few months in 2012. He had subordinates conduct surveillance on his girlfriends, prosecutors said. "In terms of obstructing justice, it is hard to imagine a more serious example of this conduct than the highest-ranking uniform member of the police department assaulting a suspect and then orchestrating a coverup of his actions for three years during which he suborned perjury and prevented witnesses from telling the truth,'' U.S. Attorney Ronald Capers said in the letter. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. Federal prosecutors have indicated other charges may be looming for accomplices who helped cover up the crime. Credit: James Carbone, Michael O'Keeffe covers Suffolk County police and other Long Island law enforcement agencies. Former police chief sentenced in beating of handcuffed man - CBS News And we are here today because no one is above the law.. 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The opioid was taped under a shelf inside the personal locker of Burke, who was sentenced in November to 46 months in the slammer for the beatdown of a prisoner and a cover-up of the assault. You told me no one would believe me," Loeb added. The man beaten by former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke has filed a second lawsuit stemming from a second incident where he alleges police again used excessive force. But they were wrong. "You saw what we did to him, this is what we are going to do to you.". Feb. 26, 2016. who is james burke suffolk county police chief corruption long island At that time I, along with others willfully used unreasonable force and slapped and hit this individual causing bodily injury. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Paying more despite good credit? Mr. Spota had been a longtime mentor and friend of Mr. Burkes. Christopher Loeb speaks to the media after former Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota and top aide Christopher McPartland were found guilty on all felony charges at federal court in Central Islip in December2019. "Your abuse of power and the public's trust is appalling. He was appointed by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota as the chief investigator of the Suffolk County District Attorney's . He has sued Burke and the Police Department. At least 11 current or former police officers and detectives who had previously remained silent about the beating testified before the grand jury that indicted Burke. The coconspirators were not identified in the letter, but prosecutors said their investigation is ongoing. Sheriff's Office | Suffolk County Sheriffs Office In a pre-sentencing letter to Wexler, prosecutors said "high-ranking officials" from other county agencies helped Burke silence potential whistleblowers after he pummeled a heroin addict who had taken his gun belt, ammunition, a box of cigars and a bag containing sex toys and pornography. "My client is going to do his time like a man, and he's going to come out and be a productive member of society," Burke's attorney, John Meringolo, told reporters, including CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff. We are honored to serve and protect the residents of Suffolk County. Hes very remorseful.. The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, names the county, the police department and officers Shawn Petersen, Erik Pedersen, Frank Santanello, Mathew Kenneally and Glen Ritchie as defendants. As a result, officers who were present for the beating or heard Burke brag about it at a Christmas party stayed quiet for years, prosecutors said. But, "If you did anything wrong in any way, he would persecute you, transfer you and ruin your career.". He has asked for no prison time because he says his mother is dying of cancer. "In terms of obstructing justice, it is hard to imagine a more serious example of this conduct than the highest-ranking uniform member of the police department assaulting a suspect and then orchestrating a cover-up of his actions for three years during which he suborned perjury and prevented witnesses from telling the truth," U.S. Attorney Ronald Capers said in the letter. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mr. McPartland, 53, was the chief of the offices public corruption unit. Former Suffolk County police chief James Burke pleads guilty, takes He was released about 6 months early for good behavior, according to the New York Post. Prosecutors called Burke's time as chief a "reign of terror.''. CENTRAL ISLIP, Long Island -- A suburban New York police chief who orchestrated a department cover-up after beating a handcuffed man for stealing embarrassing items from his SUV has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Some were warned that if they admitted wrongdoing, their union would not pay their legal fees. But, Wexler said, He also did bad if you were not on his side. When the police later arrested a heroin user with the bag, Mr.. Some were warned that if they admitted wrongdoing, their union would not pay their legal fees. Most of Thursdays testimony centered on John Oliva a Suffolk police officer under Burke who was transferred out of an elite gang unit and wiretapped when he was suspected of leaking information to the media. When Mr. Burke entered the interrogation room, Mr. Loeb was handcuffed and chained to an eyebolt fastened to the floor, according to prosecutors. One officer told a federal agent that if that were true, "I'm a dead man,'' the letter said. He also forfeited the Jeep. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Burke pleaded guilty to the charges and served time in prison. N.J. Burkett has the latest details from Long Island. On Thursday morning, during opening statements, prosecutors laid out their case that Mr. Spota and his deputy directed a cover-up to protect Mr. Burke, pressuring potential witnesses not to cooperate with the federal investigation into the assault. The FBI in Pennsylvania is investigating the source of the oxycodone, sources said. On that day I went to the 4th precinct in Suffolk County. James Burke, Ex-Suffolk County Police Chief, Pleads Guilty A Bag of Sex Toys, an Alleged Cover-Up and an Ex-D.A. on Trial A commanding officer was assigned to warn witnesses that they could face retribution if they cooperated. He said that one of those assignments was keeping tabs on newly elected Steve Bellone. The police chief pleaded guilty in a separate case, avoiding a trial, and served a jail sentence. The police unions on Long Island are so wealthy they have formed a super PAC to flood local elections with campaign donations. Former Suffolk Chief of Police James Burke to complete prison - Newsday Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "The charges [from the 2019 incident]were dropped because they were not based in true facts," Cassar said. Those efforts continued even after the F.B.I. One lied in court and said the attack had not happened. But defense attorneys insist that the plea deal is not a cooperation agreement. All Rights Reserved. The victim, Christopher Loeb, addressed Burke in court. The incident began in Ridge, Suffolk prosecutors said in 2019, after Loeb nearly ran over a woman walking her dog while driving in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Burke, 56, who pleaded guilty to civil rights and conspiracy charges, was sentenced to 46 months in prison in 2016. He has sued Burke and the Police Department, seeking damages. "RRCs help inmates gradually rebuild their ties to the community and facilitate supervising ex-offenders' activities during this readjustment phase. Questions of Burke's fitness to lead surfaced as far back as 1995, when he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer for twice failing to safeguard his weapon. The bag belonged to James Burke, the police chief in Suffolk County, and was stolen from his parked car in December 2012. Memorial Day Events In Smithtown + Complex To Be Build In Commack, Smithtown Police Blotter: 2 Catalytic Converters Swiped, Smithtown Students Learn Safety Tips Through Teddy Bears, Eggs, Take better care of your bones Join HSS for a new webinar on 5/3, JOB Needed as live-in companion/caregiver as of 5/1/23 (Suffolk County), Minimum Wage Would Increase On Long Island Under $229B Budget Deal, Smithtown Area Pets Who Need A Home: Cats, Dogs & More, Chikn-Fixn Opens In Smithtown, Bringing Unorthodox Breading, 6 New Businesses Opening In Smith Haven Mall, Pandemic Pivot: Former Firemen Turn LI Gas Station Into Fishing Shop, Elementary Students, Smithtown School Aide Save Life Of Choking Girl, LI Hockey Player: 'Really Special' To Represent USA In World Juniors. After Mr. Burke was arrested, Judge Leonard Wexler took the unusual step of denying him bail, saying he posed a danger to the community. "He's made mistakes. He will then have three years post-supervised release and pay a $250,000 fine. As chief of the SCPD, Burke had been involved in the Gilgo Beach investigations, and in fact, had fired Suffolk County Chief of Detectives Dominic Varrone in late 2011 just two days after Gilbert's body was found. They said, 'If you guys don't toe the line and keep lying, we are going to 'Oliva' you," said Oliva. a training of 6 months at the academy, candidates have to go through 18 months as their probationary periods. On Wednesday, former officer Kenneth Bombace, who admitted to assaulting suspect Christopher Loeb with Burke, testified he covered it up because Suffolk police officers feared a fate similar to Oliva's if they ever crossed Burke. At least 11 current or former police officers and detectives who had previously remained silent about the beating testified before the grand jury that indicted Burke. Thats something out of the K.G.B., a prosecutor said at Mr. Burkes bail hearing in 2015. During the assault, Loeb was handcuffed and chained to an eyebolt fastened to the floor at the Fourth Precinct. Capers was seated at the prosecution table during the sentencing but did not immediately comment afterward. Prosecutors will say only that the investigation has widened and that it's not over. The Suffolk Police Department is proud to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
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