Sep 30 2007
Deputy Sheriff Charged In Bogus Mafia Plot
NEW YORK - A Sullivan County deputy sheriff was arrested Friday on extortion charges for allegedly shaking down $3,500 from a man who he said was about to be killed by the Mafia, federal prosecutors say.
Philip Etkin allegedly told the man he could make the Mafia’s death threat go away if the man paid him thousands in cash.
The FBI said Etkin told the Middletown man the Genovese crime family wanted to have him killed. Etkin allegedly claimed the so-called “mob hit” was ordered by a high-ranking member of the Mafia.
If convicted, Etkin could face up to 20 years in prison.
Etkin was arraigned in White Plains Federal Court and was released on condition he wear an electronic monitoring device, the U.S. attorney’s office said. Prosecutors did not identify the victim of the alleged plot. Etkin could not be reached for comment.
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s office said Etkin will be suspended ending the outcome of the case.
“This is a corruption probe that was initiated by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office,” said Undersheriff Eric Chaboty. “We requested the help of the FBI once the case crossed county lines. We have no further comment at this time as the investigation is ongoing.”
Deputy Sheriff Charged In Bogus Mafia Plot - 6:49 pm EDT September 28, 2007 - by WNBC.com - http://www.wnbc.com/news/14230997/detail.html
It is too bad as this cop was at least respectable to others that he came in contact with. The feds should look at some other deputies on that force especially one that lets his rank, badge and gun go to his head.