17 Baltimore Police Officers Charged In Extortion Scheme

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Seventeen Baltimore City police officers and two brothers who own a car repair shop have been charged with conspiring to commit extortion in connection with a scheme in which the repair shop owners paid police officers to arrange for their company, rather than a city-authorized company, to tow vehicles from accident scenes and make repairs.

More than 80 law enforcement officers executed the arrest warrants and two federal search warrants.

“The criminal complaint alleges that the officers were secretly working for a private auto repair business when they were supposed to be working for the police department and the citizens of Baltimore,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Police officers cross a bright line when they take payments from private citizens in connection with their official duties.”

“I will not tolerate any criminal activity that undermines the integrity of the Baltimore Police Department and the many sacrifices our officers make each and every day,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III. “And I thank our federal partners for their assistance in this investigation.”

“When police officers are engaged in illegal activity, it disengages the public trust and can’t be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “The FBI enjoys a close and productive relationship with the Baltimore Police Department and will continue to work with their dedicated members in rooting out criminal activity and corruption at all levels.”

Read more: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/02/23/baltimore-police-officers-arrested-as-part-of-federal-investigation/

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