New update on police brutality and misconduct in New Heaven, CT.

A lawyer for the 64-year-old Gallo says his client is an unnamed co-conspirator in the indictments, accused of turning away efforts to investigate the officers' conduct and threatening potential witnesses. Gallo denies the allegations.
Officers David Cari, Dennis Spaulding and Jason Zullo and Sgt. John Miller made their first appearance in federal court Thursday. They are facing a long list of charges, ranging from excessive force for allegedly beating handcuffed suspects to obstructing justice. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on some of the charges.
The investigation was prompted by a video recording of an encounter between some of the officers arrested Tuesday and the Rev. James Manship, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in New Haven. The federal probe found a pattern of discrimination by police, particularly against Latinos.
The officers are free on bonds ranging from $100,000-$300,000. They are currently on paid administrative leave.

East Haven Police Chief Leonard Gallo talks with reporters on Jan. 26, 2006.
Gallo, 64, had been suspended as police chief in April 2010 after the FBI launched the criminal investigation, but he was reinstated to the post in November after his friend Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. took office.
"His decision to retire at this time is a selfless act, designed to assist in the healing process," said Maturo, who described Gallo as a devoted public servant who "performed admirably in both his personal and professional life."
The four officers, who were arrested Jan. 24 by the FBI, are accused of waging a campaign against Latino residents that included beatings, false arrests and harassment of those who threatened to report misconduct. They face charges including deprivation of rights and obstruction of justice; all of ======them have pleaded not guilty.
The federal indictment refers to Gallo as co-conspirator 1, accusing him of blocking efforts by the police commission to investigate misconduct. Gallo's attorney, Jon Einhorn, has denied those allegations.
Einhorn said Gallo is retiring because he does not want to be a distraction for the town, and his departure is not an admission of guilt. He said Gallo is the target of a lawsuit and could face charges in the criminal probe. He said his client will be vindicated and he does not believe criminal charges would be justified.
He said waiting until the end of the week will give the town time to settle on a retirement package for Gallo. Maturo said the retirement takes effect Friday, and a search for a new chief will begin immediately. Until a new chief is selected, Deputy Chief John Mannion will assume the duties.
More than 15,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Maturo to replace Gallo. The petition was started by Reform Immigration for America, the same group that sent hundreds of tacos to Maturo's office to protest his remark.
State Rep. Andres Ayala Jr., D-Bridgeport, said he and members of the state Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission met with Maturo on Monday morning, but he declined to elaborate. Ayala and commission members are calling for the resignations of Maturo and Gallo.
"I think it's the mayor's responsibility that the police department represent everyone in the community," Ayala said.
Four Connecticut Police Officers Charged with Civil Rights Offenses
 |
|
New York FBI Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk, center, is joined by U.S. Attorney David B. Fein, left, and Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez at a press conference in Bridgeport.
|
|
A federal grand jury in Bridgeport indicted four East Haven Police officers on charges of conspiring to violate, and violating, the civil rights of members of the East Haven community. It is alleged that unreasonable force was used when victims were unarmed, neither resisting nor interfering with the police, but rather securely under the control of the police or otherwise cooperative. In some cases, the victims were handcuffed with their hands behind their backs when officers assaulted them.
Sgt. John Miller and Officers David Cari, Dennis Spaulding, and Jason Zullo were arrested this morning without incident. According to allegations contained in the indictment, from approximately 2007 through 2011, Miller, Cari, Spaulding, and Zullo, while acting under color of law, conspired to injure, oppress, threaten, and intimidate various members of the East Haven community in violation of their constitutional rights.
The case is being investigated by the Civil Rights Squad of the FBI’s New York Field Office. New York FBI Special Operation teams, including its SWAT Team, assisted in today’s arrests.
“The four police officers charged today allegedly formed a cancerous cadre that routinely deprived East Haven residents of their civil rights,” said New York FBI Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk. “The public should not need protection from those sworn to protect and serve. In simple terms, these defendants behaved like bullies with badges.”
------
Billionaire investor George Soros has warned the global economic system could collapse and riots on the streets of America are on the way. The 81-year-old New York billionaire investor said he'd rather survive than stay rich as the world faces an 'evil' period and Europe fights a 'descent into chaos and conflict'.
RT - 46 minutes ago
Billionaire investor George Soros has a new prediction for America. While it might be as dire as it gets for the financial wiz, this bet concerns more than ...
8 related articles