Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: New York City Newsday (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Newsday, Inc.
Contact: http://cf.newsday.com/newsdayemail/email.cfm
Website: http://www.nynewsday.com/news/printedition/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3362
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

FORMER POLICE OFFICER GETS NEARLY EIGHT YEARS FOR CORRUPTION

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A former narcotics detective was sentenced Friday to 
nearly eight years in prison for violating suspects' civil rights.

Paul Skinner, 46, was one of two former Buffalo officers convicted last 
December following a three-week jury trial in U.S. District Court. The 
other, Sylvestre Acosta, was sentenced earlier this month to 45 years in 
prison.

Acosta's lengthy sentenced stemmed from his conviction on three felony 
counts of carrying his police firearm while committing civil rights 
violations. The first such conviction carries a mandatory five-year prison 
term, while the second and third convictions each carry mandatory 25-year 
terms.

Skinner, sentenced to 93 months, was convicted of a single count of 
carrying a firearm during a civil rights crime, along with a conspiracy 
charge and a misdemeanor civil rights violation.

At trial, prosecutors said Skinner was among several narcotics detectives 
who violated the civil rights of drug suspects by falsifying information to 
obtain search warrants, planting evidence and stealing money and items.

Skinner's brother, Gerald Skinner, who also was charged, pleaded guilty 
prior to trial and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
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