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NYPD Orders Photo Of Cop Responsible For Ticket-Fixing Probe Removed From Website
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 9, 2011
Modified Oct 9, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 9, 2011
Modified Oct 9, 2011
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After the police officer who was at the genesis of the NYPD's ticket-fixing probe—who had his picture posted online, started receiving death threats—authorities have taken notice. According to the Daily News, Internal Affairs detective Randy Katakofsky's picture was posted on Thee Rant, a message board for current and former NYPD officers, and at least one user thought Katakofsky should kill himself. The department then asked the website to remove the photos and messages, and met with Katakofsky to ensure his safety. Currently, there's a "What Happened to the Det Katastropy Thread?" on the site.
The ire comes from some officers (including union officials) who view ticket-fixing as a professional courtesy, and the indictment of 17 police officers for ticket-fixing as hypocritical considering how many powerful New Yorkers have participated. Along with the 17 officers five other citizens, a few believed to be drug dealers, are expected to be formally charged for their crimes this week.
Taking Katakofsky's place on the site is a mug shot of the 18-year-old Evan Sapio, the son of the Daily News' senior executive news editor Bob Sapio, who turned himself in after a photograph of him at a boozy "riot" in Albany last March surfaced. Also completely unacceptable: flashing the peace sign.
Tagged
bronx
crime
daily news
nypd
professional courtesy
thee rant
ticket-fixing
ticket-fixing scandal
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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