Pubdate: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 Source: Evansville Courier & Press (IN) Copyright: 2000 The Evansville Courier Contact: P. O. Box 268 Evansville, IN 47702-0268 Website: http://courier.evansville.net/ Author: The Associated Press BAD L.A. COP OFFERS APOLOGY With tears in his eyes, the disgraced policeman at the center of a massive corruption scandal apologized as he was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for stealing cocaine. Rafael Perez, who has admitted framing innocent people, doctoring crime scenes and lying in court, offered a message to rookie cops: "Whoever chases monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster himself." Perez was sentenced under a plea bargain that grants him immunity for other crimes he has admitted to investigators. He was also given credit for the time he has already spent in custody. "The atrocities that were committed by me and those who stand accused are unforgivable acts," said Perez, who detailed a career that, in his words, began in idealism and deteriorated into corruption. "I will tell you with every inch of my heart and soul, I am truly, truly sorry," he said. Perez, 32, was arrested in August 1998 for stealing eight pounds of cocaine from an evidence room. His first trial ended in a hung jury. Seeking leniency, he began telling investigators about alleged misconduct among fellow officers, contending they beat, framed, stole from and shot innocent people in the city’s crime-ridden Rampart area, near downtown. The scandal became public in September. In all, 20 officers have been relieved of duty and 40 tainted convictions have been overturned since Perez began talking. Several hundred more cases are under review. The FBI and U.S. attorney’s office have recently joined the Los Angeles Police Department in investigating. Authorities have estimated that the financial toll on the city could exceed $125 million. "We will not tolerate a crooked cop," the Police Protective League said. "We believe that Mr. Perez should have received the maximum amount of time in prison for his gross violations of the law ... and the betrayal of the community-police trust." - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto