[ad_1]
NEW YORK (AP) — Two New York City Police Department detectives have been charged with stealing expensive champagne while on duty at an electronic music festival, and a third did nothing to stop them, they say. Prosecutors on Monday announced charges against all three officers.
Detectives Wojciech Czech and Warren Golden were arrested and suspended Monday. The Czech pleaded not guilty to felonies of grand theft and possession of stolen property. Golden pleaded not guilty to official misconduct and misdemeanor charges. Both were released without bail.
A third detective, Jonathan Gonzalez, is scheduled to be arraigned on all three charges later this week.
“Czech detectives are shocked and saddened by the criminal charges,” said attorney Oliver Storch, whose client is a 10-year law enforcement veteran who “loves doing work that saves and saves lives.” added that.
Mr. Gonzales’ attorney, Peter E. Brill, said the charges “arise from a misunderstanding of the facts and Mr. Gonzales will be cleared of all charges after the jury has been given an opportunity to hear the evidence in this case.” said to believe.
political cartoons
A message was left with Ms. Golden’s attorneys for comment.
The three detectives were on drug-enforcement duty at the Randal Island Electric Zoo Festival on September 3.
Manhattan prosecutors say Gonzalez grabbed two unopened bottles of Ace of Spades champagne from a VIP table. The prosecution alleges that the Czechs participated by handing the bottle back to Gonzalez after leaving it briefly for Gonzalez to go get his backpack, while Golden watched without intervening. .
Some of the festival-goers who ordered the champagne realized what had happened and confronted detectives in front of festival security, who warned their employers, prosecutors said. The employer called the police.
A total of $2,900 worth of champagne was taken from Gonzalez’s knapsack and returned to the customer who ordered it, prosecutors said.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, said in a news release: “People’s trust in the criminal justice system depends on law enforcement officers acting with the utmost integrity in the course of their duties and applying to everyone else. It depends on whether we act according to the same rules as
All three detectives have changed duties since last fall. The New York City Police Department said Monday it “will continue to pursue the facts in this investigation and initiate further disciplinary action if necessary.”
“Public trust in the criminal justice system depends on law enforcement officers acting with the utmost integrity in the course of their duties and following the same rules that apply to everyone else.” rice field.
Copyright 2023 Associated Press. all rights reserved. You may not publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute this material.
[ad_2]
Source link
