FEDS: WE WANT COP-STING $$ BACK

The U.S. Attorney's office is vowing to collect the roughly $165,000
it provided to three Boston police officers arrested for allegedly
guarding FBI-staged cocaine deals. Spokeswoman Samantha Martin said
while her office cannot do so unless the three men are convicted, if
that happens, the government can seize the officers' valuables - even
their homes - to recoup the cash. "Upon conviction we intend to use
every power at our disposal," she said.

Throughout the investigation, officer Roberto Pulido, 41, is accused
of turning over the personal information on roughly 165 motorists to
what he believed was an identity theft ring in exchange for gift
cards to retail stores, according to the FBI affidavit that outlines
the case. But in all except the earliest cases, the real supplier of
the cards was the FBI, which spent $130,000 to keep Pulido believing
that he was working for a criminal enterprise, the affidavit states.
Pulido allegedly used the cards to buy a plasma television and other
big-ticket items.

Martin said the government can seize the valuables purchased with the
cards, or move to take the officers' cars, which could be sold at
auction or reused by the agency.

"In some cases they use the cars for future undercover work," she said.

The FBI also claims it paid a total of $35,000 in cash to Pulido,
which was split with officers Nelson Carrasquillo, 35, and Carlos
Pizarro, 36, for guarding two cocaine shipments which in reality
consisted of two undercover FBI teams posing as dealers and buyers,
the affidavit states. The trio was in Miami to receive a final
payment of $35,000 when they were arrested, the FBI said.