[MSN] FBI sting operation into corruption in the Hollywood Police Department has resulted in federal charges against four veteran officers who allegedly protected what they thought were mob shipments of drugs as well as stolen art, diamonds and watches.

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February 23, 2007

FBI sting nets corruption charges against 4 Hollywood cops

By CURT ANDERSON 
AP Legal Affairs Writer 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A two-year FBI sting operation into corruption in
the Hollywood Police Department has resulted in federal charges against four
veteran officers who allegedly protected what they thought were mob
shipments of drugs as well as stolen art, diamonds and watches.

Three of the four officers made initial appearances Friday in federal court
and were ordered released on bail. They are Detective Kevin Companion, 41;
Sgt. Jeffry Courtney, 51; and Officer Stephen Harrison, 46.

A fourth detective, 50-year-old Thomas Simcox, was in the process of turning
himself in and would likely appear in court next week, federal prosecutors
said.

An FBI affidavit filed in federal court accuses the four of agreeing to
"protect and facilitate" a wide range of illegal activities for a group they
thought was a "criminal organization based out of New York." In fact, the
"criminal organization" was made up of undercover FBI agents posing as
mobsters.

"These four officers are accused of using their badge, in exchange for
money, to ensure the success of the same criminal activities they were sworn
to prevent," said U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta, whose office is
prosecuting the case.

Companion, a 20-year police veteran described as the ringleader in court
papers, was paid $42,000 over a two-year period. Courtney got $22,000,
Simcox was paid $16,000 and Harrison $12,000, according to the FBI.

Among their alleged "protection" activities was escorting a multi-kilo load
of heroin from Miami Beach to Hollywood. On another occasion, Courtney used
his Hollywood police motorcycle to escort a trucker carrying $400,000 from
the sale of purportedly stolen diamonds.

Another operation involved security for an illegal poker game aboard a
yacht, while still another job called for delivery of $1 million in
supposedly stolen diamonds from Florida to Atlantic City, N.J. There were
other deals involving purportedly stolen bearer bonds, valuable watches,
expensive paintings and a tractor-trailer load of cigarettes.

The four officers face possible life imprisonment if convicted on charges of
drug trafficking conspiracy. They also face up to 20 years in prison each if
convicted of conspiracy to violate the Hobbs Act, which involves extortion
through use of official government powers.

None of the four have yet entered pleas but all have been placed on
administrative leave without pay.

Lawyers for the three who appeared in court - Companion, Courtney and
Harrison - declined comment on the substance of the charges. But the
attorneys each called the officers' arrests a "tragedy" and described each
as devoted police officers and family men.

"It seems like a very unfortunate situation for all of the accused," said
Arthur Marchetta Jr., attorney for Harrison. "We're going to begin the
process of investigating the facts and defending this case."

The arrests sent shock waves through the 337-member Hollywood Police
Department, where each arrested officer had a solid reputation, said Chief
James Scarberry. The FBI said Scarberry has cooperated since the beginning
of the investigation.

"They were good officers," Scarberry said. "It certainly doesn't represent
the city of Hollywood Police Department. They've identified four bad apples,
and we'll find four great ones to take their place."

The police case marks the second high-profile corruption investigation in
Hollywood in recent months. City Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom was
suspended after his arrest last year on charges of public corruption
involving his lobbying for a company seeking an $18 million sewer contract. 

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-apnews/stories/022307/D8NFH0B80.shtml.