WITNESSES IN CORRUPTION TRIAL CONTRADICT EX-POLICE OFFICER

Two police officers testifying in the corruption trial of a former
commander gave accounts yesterday that appeared to conflict with that of
the key prosecution witness in the case.

The former commander, Dennis M. Sindone, 39, was charged last May with
conspiring with a fellow officer and a drug dealer to steal $60,000 from a
drug supplier in 1996. He faces one count of violating the drug supplier's
civil rights in connection with the robbery.

The crucial prosecution witness, Robert Noyer, Mr. Sindone's former
subordinate, testified on Monday in Federal District Court in Manhattan
that shortly before planning the robbery with Mr. Sindone, he had found
$300 during a search of an apartment in Yonkers, and had given it to Mr.
Sindone, who was at that time a precinct commander in the Bronx. Mr.
Sindone returned half the money to him, in what Mr. Noyer took as a sign
that Mr. Sindone would be willing to work with him in future robberies.

But yesterday, Angelo Quinones, a detective in the Bronx Narcotics Bureau
who worked with both men, gave testimony that appeared to cast doubt on
that account. Detective Quinones, called as a defense witness, said his
unit had only conducted one search with a warrant in Yonkers in 1995 and
1996, and although Mr. Sindone was there, Mr. Noyer was not. A second
officer present at the search with Mr. Sindone, John Trapani, who was also
called by the defense yesterday, also recalled details of that search and
said he did not see Mr. Noyer.

Mr. Trapani's testimony also conflicted with Mr. Noyer's on another key
point. Mr. Trapani said he had been with Mr. Sindone continuously on July
1, 1996, the day before the $60,000 robbery took place. The two men worked
together on a buy-and-bust operation lasting from the afternoon until early
the next morning, Mr. Trapani said. He said that Mr. Sindone did not have a
cell phone with him, and that he did not make or receive any calls.

But Mr. Noyer said he had called Mr. Sindone late on July 1 to discuss the
details of their robbery the next day.

According to Mr. Noyer, who pleaded guilty last year in the robbery, he and
Mr. Sindone met on the afternoon of July 2 and faked an arrest of Jose
Tavares, a drug dealer who was about to deliver $60,000 to a supplier. As
bystanders watched, Mr. Noyer handcuffed Mr. Tavares and the two officers
drove off with the dealer in a police car. They then uncuffed and freed Mr.
Tavares, and the three men split the money.

Mr. Tavares also testified this week, backing Mr. Noyer's account of the
staged arrest and robbery. It was his statement that led to Mr. Noyer's
arrest last year, and both men then named Mr. Sindone, prosecutors said.

Mr. Sindone's lawyer, James Culleton, has emphasized repeatedly that Mr.
Noyer and Mr. Tavares may have their sentences reduced in exchange for
their cooperation. Although the two men appear to have independently named
Mr. Sindone as their co-conspirator, Mr. Culleton said in his opening
arguments that they may have colluded to frame him.

Yesterday's testimony appeared to strengthen Mr. Culleton's attempt to
undercut Mr. Noyer's credibility. But prosecutors tried to establish that
Mr. Trapani and Mr. Sindone are friends, pointing out that Mr. Trapani
attended the birthday party of Mr. Sindone's child and gave him money after
charges had been filed against him in June.