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There is absolutely no place for this type of behavior within our criminal justice system. But Azrack said that by participating in the cover-up, both defendants sent the message that prosecutorial power in Suffolk can be abused, civil rights violations will be tolerated and that some people in the county are above the law. The assault happened hours after the Smithtown man, then a heroin addict, stole a duffel bag from Burkes department vehicle with items inside it that included Burkes gun belt and ammunition, along with Viagra, sex toys and pornography. ALSO READ | Street racing hit-and run crash leaves woman dead, man hurt in Brooklyn, police say. Ultimately, the 12 jurors chose to believe Mr. Hickey. Spota, who spent 15 years at the top of Suffolk's law and order structure before his 2017 federal indictment, said in the Central Islip courtroom that his conviction marked "the lowest point" in his life one he fears will become his legacy. Prosecutors alleged that Spota and McPartland illegally intervened after the Dec. 14, 2012 beating. Former Det. The verdict came after the jury sat for five weeks listening to evidence, including reports of secret meetings between Spota and McPartland, cell phone tower data, and phone records; Burke previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced, News 12 said. Thomas J. Spota, the former district attorney in Suffolk County, N.Y., was found guilty on Tuesday of four counts, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering. She said that Burke had pleaded guilty quickly after his separate arrest and that, as prosecutors, Spota and McPartland were supposed to be an "essential bulwark against police misconduct.". Kenneth Bombace, who also took part in the beating, testified under an immunity deal that he stashed his family in a hotel in 2015 before testifying separately before a grand jury about the conspiracy. A year later prosecutors from U.S. Attorneys Long Island criminal division reopened the investigation. ALSO READ | Earth warming likely to pass limit set by international leaders. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/nyregion/tom-spota-trial-verdict.html. The defense also claimed during the trial that there was no way Spota or McPartland tried to hide Burkes role in Loebs beating because Burke never confessed to them before admitting his guilt in federal court. Prosecutors had argued the men deserved 8 years behind bars for doing "the exact opposite" of their jobs in the face of a scandal that eventually engulfed the county's law enforcement power structure. The anonymous communication had issued a warning about Burkes internal affairs history, and made reference to a prostitute stealing Burkes service weapon. Christopher Loeb was kicked and punched while in police custody. . First Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Boeckmann said in court Tuesday that Spota still hadn't apologized for actions that had "an absolute chilling effect" on the county's criminal justice system and implored the judge to impose prison time. Three other police detectives had been in the room participating in the beating, and it was imperative that they all stuck to the same story. Former Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine today after attempting to obstruct a federal investigation into the brutality of a prisoner by former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke in 2012. McPartland, 55, will begin his sentence Nov. 10. The jurors reached the guilty verdict after deliberating for about seven hours over two days. Chief Assistant US Attorney Nicole Boeckmann had argued for prison for Spota, saying he had failed to take responsibility for his actions to this day. Authorities suspect he was stealing from cars to buy heroin. McPartland was also sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday. HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The families of four victims killed in hit-and-run crashes in Suffolk County called on Albany on Tuesday to enact tougher sentences for drivers who flee the scene. Former Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas J. Spota and Government Corruption Bureau Chief Christopher McPartland Each Sentenced to Five Years in Prison Tuesday, August 10, 2021 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York The Defendants Were Convicted of Obstructing a Federal Civil Rights Investigation Senator John Flanagan (2 nd Senate District) and Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota joined the families of four men and women killed by hit-and-run drivers to renew the call to increase the maximum punishment for those convicted of that crime from 7 to 15 years imprisonment. "The verdict today confirms what I said on May 12, 2016 when I stood on the steps of the district attorney's office calling on him to resign that Tom Spota, along with Christopher McPartland, was running a criminal enterprise out of the district attorney's office," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in 2019. During closing arguments, Krantz presented jurors with a list of "10 reasons why James Hickey cannot be believed" that included "raw self-interest" and a "psychotic break from reality.". "When a sitting District Attorney and one of his top prosecutors are corrupt and use their power to intimidate witnesses and cover up a brutal assault by a high-ranking law enforcement official, they not only jeopardize the safety of citizens who are entitled to the protection of the law, they also undermine confidence in the integrity and fairness of our criminal justice system," she said. "Loeb had broken into Burkes official police vehicle and stolen his gun belt and ammunition, and a duffel bag containing cigars, sex toys, prescription Viagra and pornography.". When a sitting District Attorney and one of his top prosecutors are corrupt and use their power to intimidate witnesses and cover up a brutal assault by a high-ranking law enforcement official, they not only jeopardize the safety of citizens who are entitled to the protection of the law, they also undermine confidence in the integrity and fairness of our criminal justice system, Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis said. In 2001, Spota won his first election as district attorney with the backing of police unions while campaigning on an anti-corruption platform. The sentencing guidelines are the subject of an oral argument set for June 30, federal officials told Patch. Without recordings of conversations, the trial hinged largely on the testimony of one witness: James Hickey, a former police commander who worked in Mr. Spotas inner circle. Mr. Burke later became a police officer. From December 2010, his office oversaw the investigation of numerous homicides in Suffolk County, believed to have been perpetrated by a single unidentified person, known as the Long Island serial killer, or LISK. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Despite that,. Loeb was paid $1.5 million after he filed a federal lawsuit against Suffolk County, a report by 1010wins said. Police officers who were supposed to investigate gangs and school shootings would be diverted to help their chief with petty vendettas and mundane tasks, like spying on his girlfriends or driving him to the airport, former officers testified. The assault of the burglary suspect happened about a year into Mr. Burkes tenure as police chief. They also presented evidence that Spota, as part of his history of covering up for Burke, wrote a 2011 letter to County Executive-elect Steve Bellones transition team. Burke pleaded guilty in 2016 to the beating and cover-up, serving most of a 46-month prison sentence before his release to a halfway house. The disbarred lawyer, who will turn 80 next month, also shared a simple wish: "I hope not to die in prison alone," Spota told the judge. Burke physically and verbally assaulted a shackled prisoner, Christopher Loeb, in an interrogation room in Hauppauge after Loeb broke into Burkes police vehicle and stole his gun belt and ammunition, and several personal items including cigars, sex toys and pornography. "The allegations of covert spying, threats made against perceived enemies, relentless intimidation tactics, and outright fear were spelled out clearly by federal prosecutors and I commend them for their outstanding work. Mr. Burkes relationship with Mr. Spota began in 1979, when Mr. Spota was a young prosecutor trying a murder case, and Mr. Burke, then a teenager, was his star witness. Burke became a Suffolk cop and was promoted to sergeant; a 1995 department probe found that he had a sexual relationship with a prostitute who sold drugs, according to Newsday. They were accompanied by other members of the Hispanic community. In contrast, the U.S. attorneys office had sought 8-year sentences for both defendants. "These sentences send the right message to the public that they can have faith in their criminal justice system - that the system is not broken," she said. . He completed his prison sentence this year but refused to testify at trial against his old colleagues. Already a lame duck for foregoing a re-election bid, Spota announced his retirement just days after he was charged amid growing pressure from politicians and the public. The former official in Suffolk County was found guilty of conspiracy after a trial that exposed a culture of corruption. After hearing four weeks of trial testimony, a federal jury on Long Island found Mr. Spota guilty of four counts, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Privacy Policy |Terms of service |Subscription terms |Your ad choices |Cookie Settings |California Privacy Rights |About Us |Contact Newsday |Reprints & permissions |Advertise with Newsday |Help. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. Their behavior was outrageous, and their sentences today prove as much. Thomas Spota and one his top aides in the Suffolk County district attorney's office, Christopher McPartland, were convicted in December 2019 on counts of conspiracy, obstruction of justice . Spota and Burke had a kinship that dated to the ex-chief's teenage years in the late 1970s, when he was a star witness in a murder case that Spota was prosecuting. Uli Seit for The New York Times. Thomas Spota and one his top aides in the Suffolk County district attorney's office, Christopher McPartland, were convicted in December 2019 on counts of conspiracy, obstruction of . Support RiverheadLOCAL today. Mr. McPartlands lawyer, Larry H. Krantz, said, There are many more legal steps in the case, and we will continue to fight for this.. The $40 million land deal between Riverhead and Triple Five affiliate CAT: a look back, Riverhead ambulance will begin billing for all transports in the next 60-90 days to cover the rising costs of emergency rescue services, Ferry fare hike for Greenport to Shelter Island ferry set for public hearing Tuesday in Hauppauge, Tentative $229 billion budget deal fully funds foundation aid to schools, raises minimum wage and limits MTA payroll tax hike to NYC: Hochul, Riverhead cracks down on stray shopping carts: Town Board wrap-up, Town Board members claim they didnt see controversial EPCAL air cargo plans before they were publicly presented to Riverhead IDA, A fresh start: Riverhead hosts Saturday meeting, hoping to boost public participation in planning for the communitys future, Most parcels on towns list of sites eligible for cannabis uses under town code are already fully developed, analysis shows, Cops: Man driving stolen vehicle out of Nassau County arrested on Route 58 Sunday afternoon, Cops search for two masked men wanted in attempted armed robbery of West Main Street liquor store last night, Run, hide, fight Experts advice for surviving an active shooter situation, Learn about warehouse breeds at an informational meeting hosted by Calverton civic group this evening, Historic observatory at Riverhead High School reopens after repairs, Screening of Paper Clips documentary set for Sunday afternoon at Riverhead library for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Suffolk Theater to host active shooter response training seminar on Tuesday, Students and parents ask for increased school security after bullet incident, as administration assures safety, School board OKs $20 million spending increase for next school year, requiring 1% tax levy hike, Seven candidates running for four school board seats, as proposed $192.4 million budget is slated for board adoption Wednesday, Town Board must be more inclusive if downtown quality of life efforts are to be effective, The CAT plan for EPCAL does not deserve taxpayer financial support, When it comes to open government, New Yorks lofty ideals bear little relation to reality.

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