Ethics Newsline®

What may be the largest police-corruption case in Canadian history is thrown out because of delays; “ethical lapses, systemic inaccuracy, and negligence” cited by judges who threw out cases because of problems at a Seattle forensics lab; and the New York Times chronicles how a favor between two friends on the force escalated into criminal charges

VARIOUS DATELINES
Ethics issues involving law enforcement made news last week. Among the stories:

• Long-standing charges against six current and former Toronto police officers — part of what is believed to be the largest police-corruption case in Canadian history — collapsed last week after a court ruled that lengthy delays in the case violated the defendants’ rights. According to reports from the CBC and the Toronto Star, the six were former members of the Toronto drug squad and faced a variety of charges, including extortion, theft, assault, and perjury. The CBC says the case was investigated by a 25-member task force, and about $6 million was spent in the process. The massive probe began almost 10 years ago after 200 drug cases were thrown out after arrestees alleged they had been beaten and robbed by police. A lawyer for the policemen charged in the case said they were relieved but saddened that they were not able “to be vindicated in the courtroom,” the CBC reported.
• A panel of three county judges in Seattle, Washington, last week ruled that “ethical lapses, systemic inaccuracy, negligence, and violations of scientific principles” occurred at a state toxicology lab handling breath-test samples given to suspected drunk drivers over a period of years. KING-TV reports that while the initial decision relates to only six cases, thousands of drunk-driving cases will be affected, though it is not expected that all charges will be dropped. According to the judges’ ruling, the lab mistakes included entering incorrect data, using bad software, and not keeping proper logs, KING-TV reports.
• A favor between two old friends allegedly crossed an ethical and legal line, snowballing into a series of corruption charges, the New York Times recounted in a piece last week. The story centers on Luis Batista and Henry Conde, who had known each other for about a decade. Prosecutors say that in November 2006, one needed a favor from the other: Detective Batista wanted Sergeant Conde, who worked in an internal-affairs unit, to check confidential records to see if Batista was under investigation. The answer was yes, and Batista, prosecutors allege, then began efforts to cover his tracks. His actions apparently drew both men deeper into the probe. Detective Batista, who was charged with drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, and bank fraud, was arraigned last Thursday and pleaded not guilty, according to the Times. Sergeant Conde was arrested in July, charged with telling two police officers, including Batista, about the probe. Conde pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and providing false statements to the FBI, the Times reports.

Sources: KING-TV, Feb. 1 — CBC, Feb. 1 — Toronto Star, Feb. 1 — New York Times, Feb. 1.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, Dec. 3, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Nov. 19, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Nov. 13, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Nov. 13, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Sep. 10, 2007.