Pubdate: Sun, 07 Oct 2001
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The Buffalo News
Contact:  http://www.buffnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

FOR THOSE AWAITING TRIAL, TIME IS MONEY

Here's a nice, round number to think about as the city totters toward 
bankruptcy - $336,027 - and counting.

That's how much Buffalo taxpayers have paid police Detectives Darnyl 
Parker, Robert Hill, David Rodriguez and John Ferby since their March 2000 
arrests on charges of stealing cash from an FBI agent posing as a drug 
dealer. They haven't done any work for the city since then.

Delays in the case are costing the city a small fortune.

Some police officials wonder if the defense is stalling, dragging out every 
motion so the officers can receive their pay and benefits for as long as 
possible.

Now the corruption trial - which was supposed to begin last month - has to 
be delayed again because the chief federal prosecutor handling the case was 
called up to active duty with the National Guard.

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara hopes to begin the trial in January. 
Until then, under state civil service rules, the four will receive their 
paychecks of $1,947.50 every two weeks, Police Commissioner Rocco J. Diina 
said. They also will continue to receive the payments through the trial, if 
it ever begins.
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MAP posted-by: Beth