All Rights Reserved. But defense attorneys insist that the plea deal is not a cooperation agreement. This story has been shared 234,419 times. 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. The ex-police chief pleaded guilty last winter in the beating and cover-up. Their lawyers on Thursday placed the blame squarely on Mr. Burke. "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. Prior to Spota's trial, the feds were probing then Suffolk police chief James Burke for beating a handcuffed suspect who was charged with stealing the angry chief's duffel bag, full of the chief's nifty playthings. Loeb later pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and was sentenced to three years in prison; he was released last summer. Robert L. Capers, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said the investigation was continuing and would seek out those who might have been involved in wrongdoing. Also in the bag was a gun belt and ammo. He stole a duffel bag inside the vehicle that included a fake penis, a stash of porn and a box of cigars, according to court papers. The bag belonged to James Burke, the police chief in Suffolk County, and was stolen from his parked car in December 2012. Mr. Spota and Mr. McPartland are also accused of requiring police witnesses to hire people from a list of lawyers who were expected to share information with Mr. Burkes legal team, prosecutors said. . Ex-Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke Sentenced To 46 Months In One officer told a federal agent that if that were true, "I'm a dead man,'' the letter said. Burke.). 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. 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. Before the sentencing, ex-Suffolk County police Chief James Burke apologized to police, the judge, the victim and the people of the community. For a few minutes, prosecutors said, Mr. Burke assaulted the suspect, screaming and threatening to kill him until a detective in the room finally said, Boss, thats enough.. The lawsuit filed by Christopher Loeb on Oct. 21 in the Eastern District of New York in Central Islipalso claims Suffolk officers encouraged, directed and/or permitted a police dog named Brick to attack him, resulting in serious injury. Mr. Spota and Mr. McPartland, 55, had each requested sentences that included. Hell be vindicated, he said. Mr. Spota and Mr. Burke have been close for decades, and the district attorney helped Mr. Burke secure his job as the top officer for much of Long Island, despite a sometimes checkered history. (TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. Loeb pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and was sentenced to three years in prison. But new allegations against Burke kept coming, including one that he brazenly sent a group text to 10 other cops asking them to cover up the case, and that he somehow Burke had access to secret grand jury deliberations in the case. "Your abuse of power and the public's trust is appalling. Burke was furious after Loeb, then a self-admitted drug addict, broke into his vehicle and stole items, including his gun belt, Viagra, pornography and sex toys, federal prosecutors charged in a trial of Spota and his then-former aide, Christopher McPartland. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. He noted that more than 80 people had written letters seeking leniency and calling Burke a good man who helped many people in a 31-year career. Both men started serving their prisonsentences early this year. Well fortunately today, for the first time in my life, my belief in the justice system has surfaced, because today, defendant Burke, there is law and this is order., First published on November 3, 2016 / 6:33 PM. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Officers subpoenaed by FBI agents investigating the 2012 beating were brought in and interrogated about whether they had talked, 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. This page is not available in other languages. 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 Robert Capers said in the letter. The heart and soul of the governments case rests on the credibility of one witness, Mr. Krantz said. When Mr. Spota heard the inquiry was resuming, he went nuts, according to a court filing from the F.B.I. In a 2013 court hearing, Mr. Loeb testified that when he asked for a lawyer, one detective told him, This isnt Law & Order; youre not going to get an attorney.. Suffolk Police Department | Suffolk, VA Leto testified that the spying was under the guise of providing him security. 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. He was appointed by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota as the chief investigator of the Suffolk County District Attorney's . I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the Sheriff's Office. Former police chief sentenced in beating of handcuffed man - CBS News But before we delve into that, we should mention his long career in law enforcement. Prosecutors called Burke's time as chief a "reign of terror.". Mr. McPartland, 53, was the chief of the offices public corruption unit. CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. The former police chief of Suffolk County pleaded guilty on Friday to federal charges stemming from accusations that he beat a suspect in custody, threatened to kill him and then coerced his fellow officers into covering up the misconduct. who is james burke suffolk county police chief corruption long island November 3, 2016 / 6:33 PM Prosecutors called Burke's time as chief a "reign of terror.''. Questions of Burkes fitness to lead surfaced as far back as 1995, when he twice was found to have failed to safeguard his weapon. Federal prosecutors have signaledthat charges may be looming for accomplices who helped Burke cover up the crime. Burkepleaded guilty to the chargesand had asked to be sentenced to probation so he could take care of his mother, who is battling cancerand is in a wheelchair. "We will seek to hold accountable anyone who violates another's civil rights or attempts to obstruct justice.". ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream. Mr. Spota and Mr. McPartland have pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts, including witness tampering and obstruction of justice. He was released last summer. 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. One lied in court and said the attack had not happened. Bellone responded in a statement: I am not surprised to learn of these additional corrupt activities as this is why I fired Jim Burke and called on Tom Spota to resign for running a criminal enterprise. 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. Prosecutors will say only that the investigation has widened and that it's not over. Before being named chief in 2012, he worked as an investigator for the Suffolk County district attorney. "He's been through a lot in Suffolk County.". Unnamed co-conspirators had warned some that if they admitted wrongdoing, their union would not pay their legal fees, prosecutors said. 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. "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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please enter valid email address to continue. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. (Mr. Loeb later received a $1.5 million settlement from the county and a separate confidential settlement from Mr. 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. A federal prosecutor involved in the case declined to comment Tuesday. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, sentenced in November to 46 months in the slammer, claimed the former chief took part in sex parties.. The next day, he resigned as the Suffolk County district attorney. 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. "He's made mistakes. N.J. Burkett has the latest details from Long Island. In 2013, he had a contractor illegally put a GPS device on a high-ranking civilian police official he disliked, hoping to gather blackmail information, prosecutors said. The co-conspirators were not identified in the letter, but prosecutors said their investigation is ongoing. He was released from prison this year after receiving a 46-month sentence. Thomas Spota Sentenced For Cover-Up Of James Burke's Jailhouse Attack 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. During the assault, Loeb was handcuffed and chained to an eyebolt fastened to the floor at the Fourth Precinct. All Rights Reserved. Loebs attorney, Christopher Cassar of Huntington, said the alleged 2019 attack was linked to Loeb's efforts to bring Burke and other officials to justice after the 2012 assault. RIVERHEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- The former chief of the Suffolk County Police Department pleaded guilty to charges of deprivation of civil rights and obstruction of justice Friday morning. 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. 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.''. "Our investigation is ongoing," the US attorney said. 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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. 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. Inside new mortgage fee rules, Retaining wall collapses in the Bronx due to severe weather. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. He has asked for no prison time because he says his mother is dying of cancer. James Burke is a former Suffolk County Police Chief who got shrouded in accusations of being involved in Long Island serial killings after rumors of his prior involvements with local sex workers came to light, placing him at a possible crime scene. The ex-police chief pleaded guilty last winter in the beating and cover-up. Former Long Island Prosecutors Sentenced in Plot to Protect Police Chief The 30-year-old was released from prison in January after a Suffolk judge set aside his guilty plea in the Burke theft because of perjured testimony given by cops at Burkes direction, Newsday reported. 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. Im gratified that the truth is finally coming out., Retired Suffolk detective says he feared being targeted by Burke, DAs office, Former Suffolk officer admits he took part in Loeb beating during testimony in Spota trial, Town of Babylon supervisor testifies at Spota, McPartland trial, Prosecutors: Spota, McPartland abused public trust to protect crooked cop friend, Jury selected in former Suffolk DA Spota cover-up trial, Christopher Loeb shows up at ex-DA Spota jury selection in cover-up trial, DA Spota says he never spoke with Bellone about Burke, 2011 letter from Spota denies James Burke misdeeds. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. He was brought to a precinct house and shackled to the floor. Prosecutors said that Burke has two brothers who can care for their mother, and that one of the brothers was already living in her home, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported. I have been fighting this corruption in Suffolk County long before Spota was prosecuted and the media began reporting on it. 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. Suffolk County Police Department - Wikipedia Those efforts continued even after the F.B.I. His full sentences was scheduled to be completed in April 2019. November 2, 2016 / 5:48 PM Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke to be Transferred to Pennsylvania Prison: Report, Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke Sentenced to Federal Prison, Former Suffolk Police Chief Accused of Assault, Covering up Federal Investigation. The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) is a local civilian agency established in 1960, and covers 5 out of the 10 towns in the county, them being: . In November 2016, former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke was sentenced to 46 months in federal custody. This accreditation signifies a compliance with higher standards of practice and enforcement of policies that are focused on community-based policing, a commitment to excellence and resource management, and sound training practices. Mr. Burke has not cooperated with prosecutors and is not expected to testify at the trial of his former colleagues. Conway argued that Loeb's account was less than credible. The assault prompted a federal criminal investigation that lasted more than four years and eventually led to the resignation not only of the police chief but also of the longtime Suffolk County district attorney, Thomas J. Spota, who was accused of trying to cover it up. 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. Burke pleaded guilty to the charges and served time in prison. After the interrogation, Mr. Burke pressured the detectives who witnessed the assault to conceal it. The defendant violated his oath and responsibilities as a law enforcement officer by exacting personal vengeance, assaulting a handcuffed suspect and abusing his authority as the highest ranking uniformed member of the Suffolk County Police Department, Mr. Capers said in a statement. They thought they were above the law, said Justina L. Geraci, an assistant United States attorney in the Eastern District of New York. He has sued Burke and the Police Department, seeking damages. A commanding officer was assigned to warn witnesses that they could face retribution if they cooperated. 2016 The Associated Press. They said he kept liquor in his office and regularly drove drunk. It's basically going to show how close Tom Spota and McPartland were to Jimmy Burke, said Oliva. Burke became chief of the Suffolk County Police Department in 2012 after having served for nearly a decade as the chief investigator for Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas. A Bag of Sex Toys, an Alleged Cover-Up and an Ex-D.A. He had subordinates conduct surveillance on his girlfriends, prosecutors said. 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. "RRCs provide a safe, structured, supervised environment, as well as employment counseling, job placement, financial management assistance, and other programs and services," the website reads. He noted that more than 80 people had written letters seeking leniency and calling Burke a good man who helped many people in a 31-year career. CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. The former police chief of Suffolk County pleaded guilty on Friday to federal charges stemming from accusations that he beat a suspect in custody, threatened . Feb. 26, 2016. Thats corruption.. / CBS New York. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
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