BRIBERY, FRAUD ALLEGED IN PROBE OF DETECTIVES

The FBI is looking into allegations that some of the five Buffalo
detectives now under scrutiny in a federal probe shared in bribes from drug
dealers and placed false information in search warrants, authorities said.

Rene Gil, a former detective charged with participating in a cocaine
trafficking ring, reportedly told the agents that he split shakedown money
from drug dealers with another Narcotics Division detective and that at
least one detective inflated accusations in search warrants targeting
dealers, police sources said.

The attorney for one of the five detectives, however, took aim at the FBI,
accusing agents of leading a witch hunt and using unsavory investigative
techniques to build a false case against the detectives.

"Two words come to mind, McCarthyism and juggernaut, just out of control,"
said attorney Michael P. Clohessy, who represents Detective Charles
Militello of the Narcotics and Vice Bureau.

Clohessy said he plans to produce a sworn affidavit from a confidential
informant outlining the FBI's efforts to make its case of police corruption.

"I am in the process of getting documents that will show agents are
threatening confidential informants and offering them money. (Agents) will
say: "Have you ever seen (the detectives) doing anything illegal? Will
$2,000 change your mind?' " Clohessy said Wednesday, one day after FBI
agents arrived at Buffalo Police Headquarters to search the desks and
lockers of the detectives allegedly targeted by Gil.

The five detectives remain on duty, and no charges have been lodged against
them.

But one of the detectives whose work station was searched said he was
saddened that fellow members of law enforcement would give credence to
Gil's accusations.

"It's sad that we're being maligned with information from a person with no
credibility at all. He was caught really dirty. Hopefully when this comes
out, the FBI will do what's right," the detective said, speaking on the
condition that his identity be withheld.

Among the many boxes of Police Department records taken Tuesday by the FBI
were logs of search and arrest warrants carried out by narcotics detectives
over the past several years.

Clohessy, in defending Militello, said that when agents came to
headquarters, the detective had no reservations in speaking with them.

"He voluntarily went over to the FBI's office. He has nothing to hide,"
Clohessy said, adding that Militello has been decorated on numerous
occasions by the department.

Attorney Joel L. Daniels is representing Gerald Skinner. Daniels declined
to comment.

In response to allegations of witnesses being improperly handled, FBI
Special Agent Stan Borgia said:

"We would call on anyone who has information of improper or illegal
activity to come forward and identify themselves, and report the
information to the FBI, the Department of Justice or the Office of
Inspector General."

Adding to speculation among police that Gil is trying to broker a plea deal
was Wednesday's 60-day delay for his preliminary hearing in U.S. District
Court on the cocaine charge from May.

Police sources believe federal investigators wanted additional time to
verify Gil' accusations with independent evidence. The FBI obtained search
warrants and on Tuesday searched the desks and lockers of the five
detectives and the homes of three of them.

Besides Militello, the other targeted detectives are Sylvestre Acosta,
Andres Ortiz, Gerald Skinner and Paul Skinner. None has been charged with
criminal activity.

"Gil is singing for his supper," said a detective familiar with the case,
implying that the former detective who resigned earlier this month is
trying obtain leniency on a drug charge that carries a 20-year prison
sentence and a fine of up to $1 million, if convicted.

Capt. Mark Morgan, commander of the Narcotics and Vice Bureau, said the
FBI's ongoing probe of the department, which resulted in the arrest of four
narcotics detectives last year, is not making life any easier for other
detectives.

"We will cooperate and do everything possible to get rid of bad cops,"
Morgan said, "but in this particular instance, it certainly makes our job
harder for guys not involved in this. Other agencies become leery of
working with us. It's in the back of their mind. It's an issue of trust."

Confidential informants from whom narcotics investigators often obtain
information could become wary of assisting detectives for fear they "may
wind up in an FBI investigation," Morgan added.

Morgan offered support for his detectives.

"I have the utmost trust and confidence in the officers assigned to the
narcotics unit," he said. "Obviously we're going through a bad storm right
now, but it's a storm we can weather."