Embattled ex-top narcotics cop Billy White (pictured) traded a guilty plea for no more than 48 months in prison, in the latest chapter of New Haven’s ongoing police corruption scandal.
White, 63, would have faced up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $750,000 based on charges he took bribes and stole government money. Appearing in an “agitated” and tight-lipped state before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven Federal Court Friday, White bought reduced prison time by entering a guilty plea.
Click here to read his plea.
White pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery for taking money from bail bondsmen to headhunt wanted suspects — a task that’s supposed to be part of his job. He also pleaded to two counts of theft of government funds for money he stole that was planted by the FBI at sting operations. He also agreed to forfeit $10,200 for bribes he took, and to pay restitution of $15,505 — $15,105 in FBI-planted government money, and $400 from a drug scene at a Starr Street home.
By pleading guilty, he agreed to a sentencing guideline of 37 to 46 months in prison, with a fine of $7,500 to $75,000. White’s lawyer, Hubert Santos, has the right to argue that guideline down during White’s sentencing, which has been scheduled for Jan. 14, 2008.
White, a 39-year veteran of the New Haven police force, served as head of the now-defunct narcotics unit from June 2003 to March 13, 2007. Acting on a tip from a Connecticut state trooper, the FBI launched a covert operation, sending White a new partner to record his actions — including wrapping a scarf around his head, sneaking down to a parked car at Long Wharf and stealing $24,400 from a bag of cash he thought had been left by drug dealers. The incident has become known as “Estupido Caper”— White, in attempt to cover his tracks, allegedly scrawled “Estupido” on the bag.
The undercover FBI operation ended with White’s arrest on March 13. He was later fired and has been granted a $91,000 yearly pension. Two other cops in that narcotics unit have also been snared in the corruption probe.
Since his arrest on March 13, White has spiraled into depression, Santos told the court. White is seeing a psychiatrist and taking the anti-depressive drug Zoloft. “He has been in a very agitated, emotional state with bouts of intermediate depression,” Santos told the judge.
“He has been in very bad shape emotionally,” Santos said. White shook and sniffled throughout the hearing, answering the judge’s questions with pauses and few words.
“I took money from a bail bondsman for wanted suspects,” was all White had to say when the judge asked him to explain the thrust of the conspiracy charge.
“I took money that didn’t belong to me, that belonged to the government,” were the only words he uttered, asked to explain the two counts of theft of government funds. After a brief recess, White was asked to submit a petition attesting to a forfeiture information, asking him to forfeit $10,200, which represents the bounty he raked in from the bribery conspiracy.
Apparently still able to throw some weight around in New Haven, White was granted special permission to duck out a back entrance after the hearing, avoiding a gauntlet of reporters awaiting his exit.
“He Did It Because Of Greed”
Outside, U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Connor (pictured at right) said the case will surely affect “people’s faith in law enforcement.” But he called the actions of the three cops caught in the corruption probe “aberrations,” exceptions to the norm. O’Connor declined to say whether more arrests are expected in the corruption probe, but said only that the investigation is “active and ongoing.”
What prompted White to steal suspected drug money, at the risk of endangering the life of an informant?
“Greed,” replied O’Connor. “He’s now going to end a distinguished career — and he did it because of greed.”
Further down the street, Ron Bayer (pictured), defended his longtime friend and neighbor.
“Billy White for 39 years served this city faithfully,” said Bayer. “If Billy was on the job, we wouldn’t have eight or nine homicides unsolved, as there are now.”
“His entire life was putting criminals away,” said Bayer, adding many a Latin King had been put away thanks to Billy White.
“That’s true enough,” Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. later responded in a phone interview, “but he also lied and stole money.” DeStefano called the plea “just another page in a pretty sad and pitiful story. There’s nothing for the former officer or us at the city to be proud of.”
The department shouldn’t be judged by the actions of one individual, though, the mayor added. “People should have every confidence in the New Haven Police Department.”