Pubdate: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 Source: Standard-Times (MA) Copyright: 1999 The Standard-Times Contact: 25 Elm Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 Website: http://www.s-t.com/ Forum: http://www.s-t.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?actionintro Author: Dan Ring, Ottaway News service 'Sold His Badge For Cash' OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO TAKING BRIBE FROM DRUG DEALER BOSTON -- A New Bedford police detective yesterday pleaded guilty to charges that he accepted a bribe from a cocaine dealer in exchange for giving up the identity of an undercover narcotics officer. During a hearing in U.S. District Court, Detective Stephen Greany, 31, of Rochester pleaded guilty to four charges of conspiracy, extortion, soliciting a bribe and intimidating a grand-jury witness. Mr. Greany's plea and expected sentence are part of a deal with federal prosecutors that was kept under wraps by the judge yesterday. "In effect, Greany sold his badge for cash from a drug dealer and risked the life of an undercover police officer," U.S. Attorney Donald K. Stern said after Mr. Greany's guilty plea. New Bedford Police Chief Arthur Kelly III said Mr. Greany sold out a fellow officer. "He violated the trust that you expect in a police officer," the chief said. "He identified to the drug dealer an undercover police officer. It could have very well ended in the death of that officer." Mr. Greany admitted he took $3,500 from a cocaine dealer in 1996 and then told the dealer the identity of an investigator who was buying drugs from the pusher. Chief Kelly said he does not believe that other New Bedford officers might be taking money from drug dealers, but he would not comment on whether investigators are looking at that possibility. "We're continuing to work this case," the chief said. "We'll continue to work it and take it wherever it takes us." Mr. Greany showed little emotion under questioning by Judge Mark Wolf during his guilty plea. The dark-haired detective gulped when the judge asked him if he possessed a copy of the indictment. "How do you wish to plea to the four counts?" the judge asked the detective. "Guilty," Mr. Greany replied. With one of his attorneys standing by his side, Mr. Greany sat before a podium and answered "yes" many times during the hearing when the judge read from the indictment and asked him to confirm details of the charges. "Do you understand you will become a federal felon?" the judge asked. "Yes," Mr. Greany said. Mr. Greany will be sentenced at 3 p.m. Feb. 2. The judge yesterday granted a request by defense attorneys to seal the details of Mr. Greany's plea agreement with prosecutors. The judge is not bound by the terms of the plea agreement. Mr. Greany faces up to 10 years in jail and $250,000 in fines on the charges. Mr. Greany is on suspension without pay. Chief Kelly said city officials are planning to fire Mr. Greany after a hearing Nov. 9 in front of the City Council. Mr. Greany's attorneys, Laurence Cote of Boston and Theodore Barone of Quincy, would not comment after the guilty plea. Mr. Greany is facing up to 10 years in jail and $250,000 fine, but the details of his plea bargain with prosecutors were sealed by the judge. According to the indictment, Mr. Greany in May 1966 told a middle man -- Mark Bulbulian, 29, of New Bedford -- to tell a cocaine dealer that he could sell him important investigative information for $5,000. Mr. Greany and Mr. Bulbulian met the dealer, James Pike of New Bedford, at the Taunton Galleria Mall and Mr. Pike handed the detective $3,500. Before the meeting, Mr. Greany had agreed to accept $3,500 instead of $5,000. Mr. Greany told the cocaine dealer the identity of an undercover officer who purchased drugs in the past from him and was planning to buy drugs again from him the next week. After that, Mr. Pike canceled his planned deal with the undercover agent and never again sold drugs to the agent. Mr. Bulbulian later pocketed $1,200 in cash from Mr. Greany in exchange for his work in arranging the meeting between Mr. Pike and the officer. Mr. Bulbulian pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges on May 10 and will be sentenced Jan. 18. Mr. Greany's conviction on witness intimidation stems from September 1997 when Mr. Bulbulian told him he was subpoenaed by a grand jury. Mr. Greany admitted that he warned Mr. Bulbulian to "keep his mouth shut and don't say another word" when questioned by the grand jury. Mr. Greany was arrested by federal drug enforcement agents on May 13 in Pompano Beach, Fla., and flown back to Boston. He pleaded innocent on May 27, but changed that plea yesterday. He remains free on bail on condition that his movements be electronically monitored, he undergo urine testing, stay away from victims or witnesses, use no illegal drugs or excessive alcohol, and use no firearms. He lives in Rochester with his wife, Christine. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake