Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Surveillance Video Promises "NYPD Corruption At Its Best"
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 2, 2009
Modified Feb 2, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 2, 2009
Modified Feb 2, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A YouTube video titled "NYPD corruption at its best," depicts undercover NYPD officers stuffing cash in their pockets during a raid at embattled Staten Island bar "Beer Goggles" (MySpace). The surveillance tape was recorded back in November 2007 when cops busted the bar for promoting gambling; three employees were arrested but the charges were eventually dropped.
In the video, (see below), the officers are shown smashing a poker video game, counting cash on the bar, and putting it into their pockets. The NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau investigated Sergeant William Lewis, a 24-year veteran, after the bar's landlord accused him of alerting Beer Goggles to the raid. After a five month investigation, he was suspended and charged with corruption last March.
Several cops from the raiding party testified against Lewis, and his lawyers introduced the surveillance tape to impeach the credibility of the raiders' testimony. But according to the Post, no "official determination has been made as to whether cops were simply doing their jobs," when they pocketed the money. $700 of vouchered cash was later returned to bar owner Chris Shaffer.
Tagged
video
corruption
nyc
cop
accused
nypd
staten island
bar
surveillance
stealing
money
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Trump urged voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. In NY and NJ they listened.
Democrats relentlessly linked their GOP opponents to the Republican president.
By
Jon Campbell
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Walter Wuthmann
Published Nov 4, 2026 at 6:34 a.m. ET
Even in defeat, a reclusive NJ Republican remained secluded to the last vote
Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., known for refusing interviews and town halls, sequestered himself with supporters after losing the election.
By
David Brand
News
Even in defeat, a reclusive NJ Republican remained secluded to the last vote
Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., known for refusing interviews and town halls, sequestered himself with supporters after losing the election.
By
David Brand
Republican Jeff Van Drew concedes NJ congressional seat in surprise victory for Democrats
By
Mike Hayes
and
Karen Yi
NYC voters appear poised to approve outdoor dining, bike lane ballot measures
By
Giulia Heyward
Rebecca Bennett flips NJ Republican House seat for Democrats
By
Mike Hayes
,
Michael Sol Warren
and
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .