Pubdate: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 Source: Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT) Copyright: 2007sMediaNews Group, Inc Contact: http://www.connpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/574 Author: Dave Collins, Associated Press Writer 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath