BREAKING: NY - James Burke, ex-police chief of Suffolk County, arrested for soliciting a male undercover officer, 22 Aug 2023

[Eadfrith]

Soliciting get legalised overnight then?

I havent seen any mention of money exchanging hands here.
People seem to have more of a problem with sex work when "certain groups" of peole are involved with it.

 

[kittythehare]

I havent seen any mention of money exchanging hands here.
People seem to have more of a problem with sex work when "certain groups" of peole are involved with it.

Which people and which groups?

 

[Betty P]

I havent seen any mention of money exchanging hands here.
People seem to have more of a problem with sex work when "certain groups" of peole are involved with it.

Not at all. Personally, I wish it was legalized and both parties protected.

The focus here is on Burke and the problems he had with corruption and failing to fully investigate the murders of sex workers.

 

[kittythehare]

Not at all. Personally, I wish it was legalized and both parties protected.

The focus here is on Burke and the problems he had with corruption and failing to fully investigate the murders of sex workers.

Endemic corruption.
And in 20 years, if he is still alive he'll still be corrupting and corrupted.
olde Irish Saying
'There's no such thing as a reformed rake'

 

[Ruminations]

Endemic corruption.
And in 20 years, if he is still alive he'll still be corrupting and corrupted.
olde Irish Saying
'There's no such thing as a reformed rake'

Lol! That is officially my new favorite old Irish saying.

(Subject to change at any moment.)

But it's not only about the individuals. It's about imbalance of power among individuals and among institutions.

MOO

 

[Ruminations]

Do you think then that his arrest was a chance for LE to gain information, or something else, from him regarding the RH case, in return for reduced charges? MOO.

I do; when the news was coming out some people, like Gus Garcia Roberts, reported he was busted with drugs on him.

It could have been a falsehood generated by the telephone game problem, such that his source sincerely believed it. Or it could have been true, and the source got it right but leaked it before learning that the official strategy is "don't mention the drugs."

Its just a theory. But...I think there is something to it. Gus GR seems to have good sources.

MOO

 

[kittythehare]

I do; when the news was coming out some people, like Gus Garcia Roberts, reported he was busted with drugs on him.

It could have been a falsehood generated by the telephone game problem, such that his source sincerely believed it. Or it could have been true, and the source got it right but leaked it before learning that the official strategy is "don't mention the drugs."

Its just a theory. But...I think there is something to it. Gus GR seems to have good sources.

MOO

That was subsequently confirmed, actually.
He had a 'muscle relaxant' and possibly some weed too as far as I remember.
The 'muscle relaxant was not identified.

2 of 4 charges dropped against James Burke, ex-Suffolk police chief arrested in sex solicitation sting, documents show

Suffolk County dropped charges of offering a sex act and criminal solicitation after discussions with detectives, officials said.

www.newsday.com

 

[Betty P]

That was subsequently confirmed, actually.
He had a 'muscle relaxant' and possibly some weed too as far as I remember.
The 'muscle relaxant was not identified.

2 of 4 charges dropped against James Burke, ex-Suffolk police chief arrested in sex solicitation sting, documents show

Suffolk County dropped charges of offering a sex act and criminal solicitation after discussions with detectives, officials said.

www.newsday.com

I can't help but think if this arrest was for a random black guy, the outcome would have been different. JMO

 

[PillowofWinds]

IIRC, At some point Suffolk County police officers were the highest paid in the country.

their salaries are public information, and newsday publishes them. it seems the sketchier they are the higher they rise in scpd.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

LeAnn - who does not want to disclose her real name - told DailyMail.com she first met disgraced former cop James Burke at a party she went to with college friends in summer 2011.

She says the gathering was held at a home in the exclusive community of Oak Beach, in Suffolk County, New York, and turned sour when Burke acted arrogant, aggressive and entitled.

LeAnn, 25 at the time, has spoken out weeks after the 59-year-old Burke was arrested and charged for soliciting sex from an undercover park ranger last month at the Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Farmingville.

LeAnn does not know who was hosting the soiree, but claims Burke was there with another man who also held a prominent position in the county. She does not want to disclose his identity over concerns for her safety.
Former escort reveals ex-Gilgo Beach cop 'forced her into oral sex'

 

[sds71]

Disgraced former Suffolk police chief James Burke pleaded not guilty to charges of public lewdness and indecent exposure at a brief arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip Monday.

Burke, a convicted felon whose federal prosecution for beating a handcuffed suspect and covering it up more than a decade ago left an ethical stain on the department, was arrested following an interaction with an undercover park ranger during a sex solicitation sting at Vietnam Veterans Memorial County Park in Farmingville Aug. 22.

He was released on his own recognizance following Monday's proceeding before Judge Bernard Cheng. Assistant District Attorney Billie Phillips told the judge Burke is not facing any bail-eligible offenses.

Burke, dressed in a grey suit and black tie, declined to comment as he left court with Smithtown defense attorney James O'Rourke. Both men declined to comment.

He is due back in court October 6

Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke pleads not guilty to charges of public lewdness, indecent exposure stemming from sex solicitation sting

Burke, the former chief of police of the Suffolk County Police Department, was released on his own recognizance following the proceeding before Judge Bernard Cheng.

www.newsday.com

 

[Bose]

Disgraced former Suffolk police chief James Burke pleaded not guilty to charges of public lewdness and indecent exposure at a brief arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip Monday.

Burke, a convicted felon whose federal prosecution for beating a handcuffed suspect and covering it up more than a decade ago left an ethical stain on the department, was arrested following an interaction with an undercover park ranger during a sex solicitation sting at Vietnam Veterans Memorial County Park in Farmingville Aug. 22.

He was released on his own recognizance following Monday's proceeding before Judge Bernard Cheng. Assistant District Attorney Billie Phillips told the judge Burke is not facing any bail-eligible offenses.

Burke, dressed in a grey suit and black tie, declined to comment as he left court with Smithtown defense attorney James O'Rourke. Both men declined to comment.

He is due back in court October 6

Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke pleads not guilty to charges of public lewdness, indecent exposure stemming from sex solicitation sting

Burke, the former chief of police of the Suffolk County Police Department, was released on his own recognizance following the proceeding before Judge Bernard Cheng.

www.newsday.com

Is that the same James O'Rourke that represents CPH in the Gilbert case?

 

[sds71]

Is that the same James O'Rourke that represents CPH in the Gilbert case?

Yes and Spota’s ex law partner

 

[Bose]

Yes and Spota’s ex law partner

Thank you for confirming the information.

 

[kittythehare]

Disgraced former Suffolk police chief James Burke pleaded not guilty to charges of public lewdness and indecent exposure at a brief arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip Monday.

Burke, a convicted felon whose federal prosecution for beating a handcuffed suspect and covering it up more than a decade ago left an ethical stain on the department, was arrested following an interaction with an undercover park ranger during a sex solicitation sting at Vietnam Veterans Memorial County Park in Farmingville Aug. 22.

He was released on his own recognizance following Monday's proceeding before Judge Bernard Cheng. Assistant District Attorney Billie Phillips told the judge Burke is not facing any bail-eligible offenses.

Burke, dressed in a grey suit and black tie, declined to comment as he left court with Smithtown defense attorney James O'Rourke. Both men declined to comment.

He is due back in court October 6

Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke pleads not guilty to charges of public lewdness, indecent exposure stemming from sex solicitation sting

Burke, the former chief of police of the Suffolk County Police Department, was released on his own recognizance following the proceeding before Judge Bernard Cheng.

www.newsday.com

Right.
Did he or did he not expose himself/
Did he or did he not have drugs in his possession to include an un named muscle relaxant which could be anything up to and included in anaesthetic drugs?

Why did he not plead guilty, then?
Does he believe he still exercises enough clout to receive preferential treatment in the eyes of the law?

Why does he believe this, if so?

What else?

 

[Betty P]

I wonder how much all these defense attorneys communicate with each other?

 

[kittythehare]

I wonder how much all these defense attorneys communicate with each other?

Mebbe, friends in common?

 

[Bose]

Mebbe, friends in common?

^ This. Plus, probably also includes former business relationships/ties, or at the very least being familiar with one another through various cases over the years. Still, the O'Rourke thing really bothers me, I'm sure he is privy to quite a bit of information, having not only represented CPH, but Burke, as well, and affiliation with Spota. It does not sit right with me. MOO.

 

[Bose]

Um...
Someone please explain to me why O'Rourke has an association with the DA's office as of 2023? Am I reading this correctly?

OpenGovNY

Edit to add:

What. The. Hell.

 

[Betty P]

Um...
Someone please explain to me why O'Rourke has an association with the DA's office as of 2023? Am I reading this correctly?

OpenGovNY

Edit to add:

What. The. Hell.

Could this mean he's on the list of public defenders for Suffolk County? IOW, he's on call to defend people who can't afford an attorney. In Suffolk County, they refer to it as "Assigned Counsel".

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