Pubdate: Tue, 14 Mar 2000
Source: Inquirer (PA)
Copyright: 2000 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  400 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19101
Website: http://www.philly.com/
Forum: http://interactive.phillynews.com/talk-show/
Author: John Way Jennings, Dwight Ott and Angela Couloumbis

PROSECUTOR SUBPOENAS CAMDEN POLICE RECORDS

The Request Is Part Of A Probe Of Corruption Allegations That Emerged
In The Trial Of Two Drug Lords.

CAMDEN - The Camden County Prosecutor's Office has subpoenaed all personnel
records on retired and active city police officers dating to 1997.

The subpoena, which was delivered yesterday to the city's Personnel Office,
requests all records on nearly 500 new hires, transfers and retirees of all
ranks. It is the first sign that county authorities have launched a formal
investigation into allegations of police corruption that surfaced during
the federal conspiracy trial of Camden drug lords Jose Luis "J.R." Rivera
and Luis "Tun Tun" Figueroa.

During the trial, which ended this month, several confessed drug dealers
testified that eight current and former Camden police officers, two Camden
County investigators, and a county sheriff's officer had tipped off dealers
to raids, stolen money and drugs from them, and shaken them down for bribes.

Camden County Prosecutor Lee A. Solomon would not comment yesterday on the
supboena and would not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
Camden Police Chief Robert E. Allenbach also would not comment.

But police sources familiar with the investigation said all files on
current and former officers were being requested so any officers who may be
involved in wrongdoing would not know who was being examined.

The police sources also said the files of former high-ranking officers were
among the records being looked at.

"This black cloud has been hanging over our heads too long," said Danny
Morris, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1 in Camden. "I will
be very happy when the investigation is over. And if there are any crooked
cops, they will be dealt with."

The allegations of police corruption came from dealers who were part of a
multimillion-dollar cocaine ring led by Rivera and who eventually agreed to
cooperate with federal prosecutors by testifying against Rivera and Figueroa.

No officer currently on the force has been charged with wrongdoing.

One confessed drug lord, Saul "Gordo" Febo, testified that Camden Detective
Miguel Torres, one of Mayor Milton Milan's former bodyguards, twice passed
along confidential police information on approaching raids. Torres has
denied those allegations.

Febo also said other Camden police officers had provided cover for the drug
ring's operation - often in exchange for money. He said an officer named
Steve, whom authorities identified as Steve Gracia, often shook down
dealers. Febo said he had told his employees to pay $200 to $300 to keep
the officer happy.

Gracia, who still works for the department as a patrolman, could not be
reached for comment.
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