The NY State Police arrested and charged a trooper with issuing over 2 dozen fake traffic tickets to unaware drivers during traffic stops in 2021 and 2022. According to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, Edward Longo, 34, issued 32 tickets and supporting depositions containing false information eight times between May 10, 2021, and October 2, 2022, without making traffic stops or witnessing traffic violations. According to prosecutors, Longo never conducted a traffic stop or observed any violations. Officials say Longo falsely cited a person who had died before their supposed interaction. Longo was assigned to Troop K Hawthorne barracks in Mount Pleasant, where he submitted fraudulent tickets and fake depositions. He patrolled the Taconic and Sprain Brook State Parkways in Westchester County on a regular basis. “When State Police learned of a possible falsified traffic ticket scheme by one of our members, we immediately launched a criminal investigation in collaboration with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office that resulted in the charges filed,” state police said in a press release. The former state trooper allegedly falsified records in order to achieve performance-related goals with his troop, New York State Troop K. Those who fail to meet expectations or produce below their peers "may be counseled," the charging papers state. On January 31, 2023, Longo was arrested for 32 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a felony, and eight counts of Official Misconduct, a misdemeanor. “Integrity in law enforcement is paramount. I commend our partners at the New York State Police for referring this case to our Office and demonstrating their commitment to accountability and transparency.” District Attorney Miriam Rocah said. Law enforcement like Edward Longo, who wrote numerous fake traffic tickets to unwitting New York drivers, abuse their power by using their authority to unjustly punish innocent individuals and undermine the public's trust in law enforcement.
Source: The New York Post