Former Suffolk DA James Spota Sentenced To 5 Years In James Burke Cover-Up
Spota, who wielded influence and power for 16 years, was convicted in December 2019 of obstructing a federal civil rights investigation.
Watch CBS News
Spota, who wielded influence and power for 16 years, was convicted in December 2019 of obstructing a federal civil rights investigation.
Spota, who wielded influence and power for 16 years as district attorney, was found guilty of charges of obstructing a federal civil rights investigation into the beating of a handcuffed prisoner by former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke.
Thomas Spota, now 78, who wielded influence and power for 16 years as district attorney, is, himself, on trial in federal court.
Spota is accused of obstructing a federal investigation into the beating of a handcuffed prisoner by the former Suffolk County police chief.
The Suffolk County district attorney was indicted on charges that he allegedly helped cover up the beating of a handcuffed prisoner by a police chief.
Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and one of his chief aides have been indicted by a federal grand jury.
The maximum sentence was handed down on Tuesday, to the hit-and-run driver whose 2015 crash on Long Island killed three members of a Queens family.
A veteran Long Island prosecutor is refusing calls by a top elected official to resign.
Three members of a heroin and fentanyl distribution ring were arraigned Wednesday on Long Island, prosecutors said.
A driver pleaded not guilty Thursday to upgraded charges in a 100-mph crash that killed a man and his two children on Long Island.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty in March to grand larceny, falsifying business records and other charges.
The limo driver, however, told investigators he didn't see the truck coming when he tried to make the turn along Route 48 in Cutchogue, Spota said.
Five men face charges that they impersonated plainclothes detectives to burglarize homes on Long Island.
The families, accompanied by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and state senators, demanded that the maximum sentence be increased from seven to 15 years for hit-and-run drivers.
Brett Knight was arraigned Wednesday on a six-count indictment. His lawyer said Knight is looking forward to fighting the charges.
The leader of a drug smuggling ring that shipped cocaine and marijuana in luxury cars from California to Long Island has been sentenced to 13 1/2 years in prison.
Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge, nearly a year after he smashed his Cadillac SUV into a utility pole on eastern Long Island.
Carlos Melendez of the Bronx and Joel Guzman of Ridgewood, Queens will be sentenced July 25 in Suffolk County. They were convicted Tuesday.
Investigators said Thomas Herman, 46, slammed into five cars on Montauk Highway on Jan. 13 before crashing head-on with a car, killing the driver and critically injuring the passenger.
Shawdale Frederick, 32, and Janet Lewis, 33, both of Middle Island, and Joshua Galbert, 31, of Marietta, Ga., will be arraigned Monday in Suffolk County court in Riverhead.
Brittany Ozarowski's bruised arms were covered by the green jail jumpsuit she wore in court Thursday. She stood motionless and handcuffed as she pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Under the heading "Help Save My Life," prosecutors said Brittany Ozarowski posted pictures of herself sitting in a wheelchair on a website saying she had "few options left."
Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota announced the seizure of more than 300 guns and ammunition from a home in Centereach.
A convicted burglar on parole stands accused of setting fire to an Air National Guard reservist from Long Island on duty overseas.
The Suffolk County District Attorney said Wednesday that it's becoming a big problem throughout the county - people driving drunk or high on drugs, hitting someone and then fleeing the scene.
A New Jersey family says missteps by school administrators led a 14-year-old to take his own life, but the district denies that claim.
Ten U.S. service members were injured in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple U.S. officials.
Members and associates of the Riverhead-based 48 Gang are charged with crimes linked to murders, armed robberies and shootings dating back to 2021, prosecutors said.
A 29-year-old man was killed in a shooting inside a Queens bar early Tuesday morning. Police sources said he was not the intended target.
Eight years after it was put up with pride, the name Cesar Chavez has been removed from a school in Yonkers.
Members and associates of the Riverhead-based 48 Gang are charged with crimes linked to murders, armed robberies and shootings dating back to 2021, prosecutors said.
A 29-year-old man was killed in a shooting inside a Queens bar early Tuesday morning. Police sources said he was not the intended target.
Eight years after it was put up with pride, the name Cesar Chavez has been removed from a school in Yonkers.
Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder of the group Within Our Lifetime, said the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force told her about "a plot against my life that was 'about to' take place."
A fire at a Bronx firehouse left at least 14 firefighters with minor injuries Friday. All were taken to the hospital for treatment.
It may not feel like spring right away, but Friday's weather does deliver a clear shift in the air in New York City.
The New York City area will be under a wind advisory Monday with periods of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms expected across the region.
The New York area is in for a mild weekend before the weather takes a turn to start the work week.
It will be rainy on Thursday morning, and the weather will change to snow as temperatures drop across the Tri-State Area.
Thunderstorms are expected in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut this weekend after severe weather hit the Midwest.
A New Jersey family says missteps by school administrators led a 14-year-old to take his own life, but the district denies that claim.
Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder of the group Within Our Lifetime, said the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force told her about "a plot against my life that was 'about to' take place."
St. John's is playing the No. 1 overall seed, Duke, in the Sweet 16 round of March Madness on Friday.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed three bills into law Wednesday limiting the power of ICE agents in New Jersey.
A 16-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was stabbed Tuesday in Hackensack, New Jersey, his family told CBS News New York.
Members and associates of the Riverhead-based 48 Gang are charged with crimes linked to murders, armed robberies and shootings dating back to 2021, prosecutors said.
St. John's is playing the No. 1 overall seed, Duke, in the Sweet 16 round of March Madness on Friday.
Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is likely to change his plea to guilty when he next appears in court, a source with knowledge of the case tells CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff.
A second person was arrested Tuesday in connection with a 2021 acid attack on Long Island college student Nafiah Ikram.
High school students are helping residents in assisted living in Long Island, New York feel a bit more confident with makeovers.
Ten U.S. service members were injured in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple U.S. officials.
Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder of the group Within Our Lifetime, said the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force told her about "a plot against my life that was 'about to' take place."
Iran-linked cyber criminals accessed FBI Director Kash Patel's personal email account, sources said.
President Trump said he will sign an executive order to restart pay for TSA officers, who have gone more than a month without a full paycheck.
The New York City Council has passed legislation to allow the NYPD to set up buffer zones around schools and houses of worship.
What started as a sinus infection left a Long Island teenager fighting for his life, requiring emergency brain surgery.
Older adults in New Jersey recorded the highest number of suspected overdose deaths in 2025, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
The first case of mpox clade I has been detected in New York City, health officials said Friday. Of the two types of mpox, clade I is known to cause more severe disease and death.
Heights University Hospital, formerly known as Christ Hospital, shuttered its emergency room Saturday night.
New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim is opening up about his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis in hopes of helping others struggling like him to care for their loved ones.
The price hike raises the cost of the standard plan with ads by $1 per month and the cost of the standard and premium plans by $2.
Savannah Guthrie stepped back from her NBC duties almost two months ago when her mother, Nancy Guthrie, disappeared. The investigation is ongoing.
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion made her Broadway debut Tuesday night, adding some of her own big hits to "Moulin Rouge! The Musical."
CBS News announced Friday that CBS News Radio will be shutting down this spring after nearly 100 years of broadcasting, citing "challenging economic realities."
Bodycam video footage of Justin Timberlake's June 2024 DWI arrest on Long Island was released to the media Friday.
St. John's is playing the No. 1 overall seed, Duke, in the Sweet 16 round of March Madness on Friday.
Nico Hischier scored two goals to lead the Devils to a 4-2 victory over the Predators on Thursday night.
The Charlotte Hornets snapped the New York Knicks' seven-game winning streak with a 114-103 victory Thursday night.
Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves to help the Islanders beat the Stars 2-1 on Thursday night.
The Mets chased Paul Skenes in the first inning of his worst major league start, beating the Pirates 11-7 on Thursday.
From World War II to modern mixology, women in Brooklyn fought for their place behind the bar. This Women's History Month, their legacy continues to influence the city's nightlife.
A new performing arts venue with a focus on immigrant stories is opening in Upper Manhattan this fall. CBS News New York's Noëlle Lilley got an exclusive tour of the construction that will give The People's Theatre its first home in more than 15 years.
Members of the Apollo Theater, where Kiki Shepard left her mark for 15 years, reflect on her legacy after the Harlem icon's death at age 74.
The Rev. Al Sharpton is calling on New York City to help protect the Merchant's House Museum in Manhattan after a recent discovery revealed connections to the Underground Railroad.
A Harlem school is teaching students how to love, honor and care for their natural hair.
The Halloween tradition strolled through Manhattan's East Village on Sunday, with furry friends dressed in colorful costumes.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Dogs got decked out for the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in New York City's East Village on Saturday.
Cosplayers flooded New York City's Javits Center in October 2024 for the annual New York Comic Con convention.
A Mount Vernon police detective, who was just promoted, is among those facing charges. CBS News New York's Jenna DeAngelis reports.
St. John's fans are getting ready to watch the Red Storm play Duke in the NCAA Tournament. CBS News New York's Allen Devlin reports.
CBS News New York's Scott Padgett has your First Alert Forecast for March 27 at 6 p.m.
As the Tri-State Area gears up to host the World Cup, one assemblyman wants New York to host the Winter Olympics.
The FBI and NYPD stopped a plan to attack the home of activist Nerdeen Kiswani, a leader of one of New York's most active pro-Palestinian protest groups. CBS News New York's Tim McNicholas reports.
