Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jul 2006
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2006 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Author: O'Ryan Johnson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

FEDS: WE WANT COP-STING $$ BACK

The U.S. Attorney's office is vowing to collect the roughly $165,000 
it provided to three Boston police officers arrested for allegedly 
guarding FBI-staged cocaine deals. Spokeswoman Samantha Martin said 
while her office cannot do so unless the three men are convicted, if 
that happens, the government can seize the officers' valuables - even 
their homes - to recoup the cash. "Upon conviction we intend to use 
every power at our disposal," she said.

Throughout the investigation, officer Roberto Pulido, 41, is accused 
of turning over the personal information on roughly 165 motorists to 
what he believed was an identity theft ring in exchange for gift 
cards to retail stores, according to the FBI affidavit that outlines 
the case. But in all except the earliest cases, the real supplier of 
the cards was the FBI, which spent $130,000 to keep Pulido believing 
that he was working for a criminal enterprise, the affidavit states. 
Pulido allegedly used the cards to buy a plasma television and other 
big-ticket items.

Martin said the government can seize the valuables purchased with the 
cards, or move to take the officers' cars, which could be sold at 
auction or reused by the agency.

"In some cases they use the cars for future undercover work," she said.

The FBI also claims it paid a total of $35,000 in cash to Pulido, 
which was split with officers Nelson Carrasquillo, 35, and Carlos 
Pizarro, 36, for guarding two cocaine shipments which in reality 
consisted of two undercover FBI teams posing as dealers and buyers, 
the affidavit states. The trio was in Miami to receive a final 
payment of $35,000 when they were arrested, the FBI said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman