FBI ARRESTS TWO NEW HAVEN POLICE OFFICERS

HARTFORD (AP) -- Federal agents raided New Haven police headquarters
Tuesday and charged the head of the narcotics division with stealing
thousands of dollars planted by the FBI during sting operations.

Federal authorities also arrested a police narcotics detective and
three members of a family of bail bondsmen who they say bribed police
to catch criminals who had skipped bail.

"Today is a very dark day for our police department," New Haven Police
Chief Francisco Ortiz said after the five men were presented in U.S.
District Court in Hartford. "I'm disgusted. I'm upset. I'm
frustrated."

Lt. William White, a 39-year police veteran who led the narcotics
unit, was charged with theft of government funds and criminal
conspiracy after authorities executed search and arrest warrants at
police headquarters and some homes.

Also arrested Tuesday were narcotics Detective Justen Kasperzyk, 34,
who was charged with a misdemeanor count of stealing government funds,
and New Haven bail bondsmen Robert Jacobs, 79, Paul Jacobs, 48 and
Philip Jacobs, 47, who were charged with bribery conspiracy.

Both White and Kasperzyk have been suspended pending the court
cases.

The arrests were the result of an eight-month investigation by federal
and state authorities that included about 200 taped conversations
involving White and others recorded by an undercover officer and two
months of phone wiretaps.

closely in July 2006 with a state law enforcement officer who was
working undercover with the FBI. The agent said the two proceeded to
steal money planted by the agency.

On Jan. 31, the FBI stashed $27,500 in the trunk of a car parked in
the Long Wharf area. Authorities said the undercover officer told
White that the car belonged to a drug dealer, and the two searched it
without a warrant and split the money.

White, 63, said he was concerned that someone would get killed over
the missing money, and he also worried about cameras mounted on a
nearby building, the affidavit said.

Federal prosecutor David Ring showed Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith
a poster-sized photo taken from a video of the alleged theft. Ring
said the photo showed White, wearing sunglasses and a sweat shirt with
the hood pulled up on his head, walking away from the car with a paper
bag containing the money.

While discussing the money with the undercover officer, White said,
"I'm too old to be arrested. That's the thing," according to the affidavit.

Authorities say the two also split $2,000 the undercover officer
planted at a home police raided on Nov. 9, and another $800 found
during another raid on Feb. 16.

Smith ordered a psychological exam for White, after Ring said he was
concerned that White may try to harm himself based on statements he
made to authorities after his arrest. White was to appear in court
again Wednesday for a hearing on whether he should be detained while
the case is in court.

Kasperzyk and the bondsmen were released after posting
bail.

Kasperzyk is accused of pocketing $800 that he demanded and received
from a police informant last year, and another $360 that was planted
by the FBI at a drug investigation scene.

If convicted, White faces up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to
$500,000. Kasperzyk faces up to a year in prison and up to a $100,000
fine, if he is found guilty.

Ring said the evidence against White is overwhelming.

"Mr. White is going to jail for this," Ring said.

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, traveling back to the city from
Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, said he was concerned about the arrests.

"We are attempting to learn more about the charges, and will be fully
cooperating with the investigation," DeStefano said in a statement.

The three bail bondsmen each face up to five years in prison and up to
a $250,000 fine for the alleged bribery scheme. Prosecutors said they
gave bribes of up to $15,000 several times to White and other officers
to track down criminal defendants who disappeared after posting bail.

Robert Jacobs is the father of Paul and Philip Jacobs. All three live
in the New Haven area.

Richard Cramer, White's lawyer, and Charles Tiernan, Kasperzyk's
attorney, both said it was too early to respond to the allegations
because they were still reviewing court documents.

William Dow, the bail bondsmen's attorney, said he also was still
looking at the affidavits.

"All three gentlemen are highly regarded in the New Haven community,"
Dow said.