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One out of three cops is a common thief
Former
Orleans Parish Deputy Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bribery
U.S. Attorney’s Office March 21, 2013 • Eastern
District of Louisiana (504) 680-3000
NEW ORLEANS—Gerard J. Hoffman, Jr., 59, a resident of
Mandeville, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche
Milazzo to conspiracy to commit bribery, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J.
Boente.
According to the factual basis, Hoffman, the former head of
the maintenance department at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO), began
receiving things of value from a contractor, identified as Businessman B, in
exchange for a rigged bidding system employed to steer OPSO work to Businessman
B. In particular, from 2007 through 2011, Businessman B would submit bids for
OPSO work in the name of his respective company but, with the knowledge and
participation of, among others, Hoffman, would also submit phony or fake bids
for these same projects in the names of other local companies, in an effort to
give the appearance of a competitive bidding process. In many cases, the phony
bids would intentionally be higher than the bids from Businessman B and,
consequently, the OPSO work would be awarded, with Hoffman’s participation and
knowledge, to Businessman B.
In exchange for this rigged bidding process, according to
court documents, Hoffman received several things of value from Businessman B.
For example, from 2007 through 2011, Hoffman received a trailer, a storage
container, and free maintenance and construction work at a house owned by
Hoffman, all at no cost to him. In total, Hoffman received at least $5,000, but
less than $10,000, in things of value from Businessman B in exchange for
Hoffman’s official acts at the OPSO.
Hoffman faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment,
three years’ supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special
assessment. Sentencing has been scheduled for June 20, 2013.
U.S. Attorney Boente, as well as the investigative and
prosecution team, offers their thanks to the Metropolitan Crime Commission for
providing valuable assistance in this case.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S.
Attorneys Matt Chester and Jon Maestri.
Detroit, Michigan: A cop and a civilian were arrested in
connection with an armed robbery investigation. The men are accused of a series
of robberies of several businesses. ow.ly/jyhu3
Former
"Dirty 30" Cop Arrested in Chinatown
Former cop Russell Litwenak is accused of robbery and
criminal impersonation of a cop
A former NYPD cop, disgraced during the notorious “Dirty 30”
scandal in the '90s, was arrested on Monday and accused of stealing $3,000 from
a woman in Chinatown, according to court papers.
Russell Litwenak, who was fired from the NYPD in 1994
following his conviction on burglary charges, was taken into custody around 3
p.m. near Forsyth and Chrystie streets, after a woman called police claiming he
took the cash when it fell out of her purse, according to a criminal complaint
filed in Manhattan Criminal Court.
The woman told police she dropped the money while walking to
pay her rent. An unknown man, believed to be working with Litwenak, came up to
her and grabbed the money as she was putting it back into her purse and took
off with it, according to court papers.
She followed that man when she says the 68-year-old ex-cop
came out of nowhere and grabbed her by the collar. She says he held her against
the wall, and told her that he was a cop. Investigators believe that Litwenak
and the man, who was able to get away, were working together.
The victim was able to alert people on the street to what
was happening and they held Litwenak for police.
According to the criminal complaint, Litwenak was charged
with robbery and criminal impersonation of a cop. He is being held on $15,000
bond.
The “Dirty 30” scandal rocked the NYPD in the '90s after
more than 30 cops were arrested for illegally raiding drug dealers' apartments,
stealing cash and drugs.
Detroit
cop charged with 10 felonies related to armed robberies
DETROIT — Two badged men entrusted with public faith to
uphold and enforce the law have instead violated it, the Wayne County
Prosecutor's Office claims.
Cop Clifton Whatley, 34, and longtime friend Jeffrey
Armstrong are charged with multiple felonies related to a string of armed
robberies in Detroit and surrounding communities.
"It is alleged that Clifton Whatley has robbed victims
in five of our Wayne County communities," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym
Worthy said. "We will vigorously present our case in court."
Has been suspended from the force and police officials say
they are not releasing any further details.
Whatley, a Detroit cop since 2000 who most recently working
a day-shift at the Central District Headquarters in New Center, was arraigned
in Taylor's 23rd District Court this morning.
"Whatley organized and orchestrated a series of
robberies throughout Wayne County, including Taylor, Westland, Canton, Harper
Woods and Melvindale," Kym Worthy's office says.
He's charged with three counts of armed robbery, two counts
of bank robbery, conducting a criminal enterprise, three counts of unlawful
imprisonment and felony firearm.
"In May 2012, Armstrong, a longtime friend of Whatley
is alleged to have robbed a Check and Go located in the 9100 block of Telegraph
in Taylor," prosecutor's say.
Armstrong is charged with armed robbery, bank robbery and
felonious firearm possession.
Armstrong is scheduled to be arraigned April 8 followed by a
preliminary examination.
Whatley, whose bond was set at $1 million, has a preliminary
examination the same day as Armstrong.
"We are committed to ensuring that the members of the
Detroit Police Department conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of the
public’s trust," Interim Police Chief Cheater Logan said in a statement.
"To that end all allegations of police misconduct that occurs within our
jurisdiction will be thoroughly and impartially investigated and my department
will assist and cooperate with all outside jurisdictions."
The crimes were committed between May of 2012 and March of
2013 and state police investigated, according to a clerk in the Taylor Police
Department administrative offices.
NYPD
cop charged with stealing food from Carmel supermarket
CARMEL — A New York City cop is charged with stealing food
from the Hannaford Supermarket, Putnam County sheriff’s spokesman Capt. William
McNamara said.
Vanessa Bobe, 35, of Kent was charged Saturday with petty
larceny, a misdemeanor, and released. She has been suspended without pay for at
least 30 days, New York City police told The Journal News.
Deputies responded at 2 p.m. Saturday to the store in Putnam
Plaza along Route 6 on a complaint by a security staffer, the sheriff’s office
said. Bobe was allegedly seen on closed-circuit television hiding food items on
her.
According to the sheriff’s office, the staffer confronted
Bobe when she left without paying and detained her until deputies arrived.
Deputy Robert Hudson gave her an appearance ticket and released her.
Bobe is scheduled to appear in Carmel Justice Court April 9.
If convicted, she could face up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Bobe could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
The NYPD could not immediately provide her salary.
Detroit
cop charged with committing robberies throughout Wayne County
A Detroit cop has been charged with committing robberies in
Wayne County.
It is alleged that from May 2012 through March 2013, Clifton
Whatley organized and orchestrated a series of robberies throughout the County,
including in Taylor, Westland, Canton, Harper Woods and Melvindale.
Whatley is accused of using his background as an cop and his
family members to pull off the crimes.
In May 2012, Layman Armstrong, A Detroit resident and
longtime friend of Whatley, is alleged to have robbed a Check and Go located in
the 9100 block of Telegraph in Taylor.
Sources said investigators found a gun, cash and bank bags
in Whatley's home and that photos of the targeted businesses were on his phone.
Whatley is charged with three counts of armed robbery, two
counts of bank robbery, one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, three
counts of unlawful imprisonment and felony firearm.
He's been a cop since 2000 and was most recently assigned to
the Detroit Police Department's Central District office.
He was given a $1 million cash bail. He pleaded with the
judge that he needed to be at home with his kids.
"I've never been arrested. I just came home from work
yesterday and was arrested on this," he said.
Two members of his own alleged robbery crew were caught in
Westland and named Whatley as the getaway driver. They also said Whatley
provided the gun used in the armed robbery.
Whatley's niece claims he told her to let him rob her at a check
cashing business, but she refused. The business was eventually robbed anyways,
and Whatley's niece recognized Whatley's best friend as one of the robbers.
"He recruited, trained, and provided direct
instructions to his nephew in connection to planning and carrying out a
multitude of armed robberies," said Robert Miller, assistant Wayne County
prosecutor.
Whatley also moonlights out of town as a bodyguard for
rapper Rick Ross. He denies his roll in any of the crimes.
"All of this is allegation. I have never committed a
crime in my life," said Whatley.
Whatley has been suspended from the Detroit Police
Department and now faces life in prison if convicted.
Armstrong is charged with armed robbery, bank robbery and
felony firearm. His arraignment is scheduled for April 8.
Statement from Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan:
"We are committed to ensuring that the members of the
Detroit Police Department conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of the
public’s trust. To that end all allegations of police misconduct that occurs
within our jurisdiction will be thoroughly and impartially investigated and my
department will assist and cooperate with all outside jurisdictions."
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