Pubdate: Fri, 09 Nov 2001
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2001 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact:  http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Curtis Lawrence
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

VETERAN COP ADMITS HIS ROLE IN DRUG RING

Chicago police officers are trained never to let their partner down.

But a 23-year veteran of the force paid the price Thursday for 
helping his partner run an interstate drug ring.

John F. Galligan, 51, pleaded guilty to helping his partner run the 
crack cocaine operation and then lying to cover it up.

Under a plea agreement, federal prosecutors recommended that Galligan 
serve 57 months in prison.

Galligan's partner, Joseph Miedzianowski, was found guilty of 
orchestrating the drug operation last April after a 12-week trial.

Galligan, a Vietnam veteran, stood with his hands clasped as U.S. 
District Judge Blanche Manning read terms of the agreement. He will 
be sentenced March 15.

''He is at this point relieved that the matter is resolved,'' said 
Galligan's attorney, Michael Monico. ''His service as a police 
officer is over and it's a very sad day.''

Police spokesman Pat Camden said the department started termination 
proceedings against Galligan on Thursday.

The trial featured wire-tapped conversations of the two officers 
bragging about how they had escaped corruption charges over the 
years. Miedzianowski also is heard setting up drug deals, advising 
gangbangers on how to beat drug charges and complaining about his 
mistress.

Galligan admitted to giving a drug informant three grams of crack 
cocaine in the parking lot at the Maxwell Street police station.

He also admitted covering for Miedzianowski after he took two 
kilograms of cocaine from a drug suspect. Miedzianowski inventoried 
one kilogram with the police department and kept the second one for 
himself, according to the plea agreement.

Galligan helped protect Miedzianowski ''by means including, but not 
limited to, falsifying official reports and documentation and 
testifying falsely at court proceedings,'' the plea agreement said.
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