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.
Nicolas Fernández scored twice in the first half and Talles Magno scored late in the second to propel New York City FC to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night.
The New Jersey Devils edged the Los Angeles Kings 6-4 on Saturday night.
The New York Islanders raced to an early lead and held on to beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Saturday.
Igor Shesterkin made 46 saves and Vladislav Gavrikov had a goal and two assists as the New York Rangers extended their winning streak to four games with a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.
Six U.S. service members who were killed in a military refueling aircraft crash over Iraq last week have been identified as members of the Ohio Air National Guard and Florida-based crew members.
A taxi driver struck two pedestrians before crashing into a building on the Lower East Side on Saturday.
Bronx Week is back on. Last week, Borough President Vanessa Gibson said the multi-day event had been put on pause this year to the budget deficit.
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.
Thousands of runners are getting ready to run the New York City half-marathon today. Here's the weather forecast, route map, street closures and everything to know about the event.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order Friday establishing the first-ever Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.
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.
Periods of rain will move through the New York area Thursday, but spring temperatures are on the way for the weekend.
Snow and rain will make for messy morning and evening commutes for New Yorkers on Tuesday. It's a First Alert Weather Day.
Four people, including two teens and two construction workers, were hurt in a house explosion in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday.
Heights University Hospital, formerly known as Christ Hospital, shuttered its emergency room Saturday night.
The New York area is in for a mild weekend before the weather takes a turn to start the work week.
At least 10 dead geese were recently found at Verona Park in Essex County, New Jersey.
Overhead wire problems at the Portal Bridge forced the suspension of some NJ Transit and Amtrak trains Friday.
Prosecutors said Matthew Smith fended off efforts to hand over his car keys before the crash that killed Nassau County police officer Patricia Espinosa.
A Manorville breeder was charged with animal neglect after dogs and puppies were allegedly left alone in poor conditions as a blizzard struck New York.
A father and son died in an overnight fire on Long Island. Kenneth Roberts, 42, and his son Mekhi, 12, were trapped in intense smoke inside a basement apartment.
Jones Beach will host a series of special events commemorating America's 250th birthday this summer.
A Long Island woman is reuniting with the NYU Langone medical team that helped deliver her baby after she suffered from kidney failure.
With oil markets paralyzed by the U.S.-Iran war, the Trump administration says it could escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz — a massive undertaking that experts say could already be in the preparatory stages.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order Friday establishing the first-ever Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani denounced Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville's anti-Muslim social media post during a Ramadan event.
President Trump said that other countries would join the U.S. in sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz, but did not share more specifics.
A New Jersey toddler's death after falling more than 20 stories has prompted new legislation designed to ensure windows are properly guarded in apartment buildings across the state.
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.
A new study shows toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS may be entering the food chain on Long Island through contaminated soil, water and air.
Erik Lochtefeld is back to acting and marathon training after a glioblastoma diagnosis and complex surgery at NYU Langone.
Legendary New York City television news anchor Ernie Anastos has died. His wife says he died early Thursday morning of pneumonia.
Ballerina Misty Copeland responded to controversial comments made by actor Timothée Chalamet when he appeared to dismiss the significance of ballet and opera, saying, "No one cares."
A woman was arrested on Sunday for firing multiple shots at the Beverly Hills home of Rihanna, Los Angeles Police Department officials say.
Actress Daryl Hannah explains why the depiction of herself in the FX miniseries "Love Story" is unacceptable in an op-ed in Friday's New York Times.
Justin Timberlake is suing Sag Harbor to prevent the release of bodycam video of his 2024 arrest for driving while intoxicated on Long Island.
Nicolas Fernández scored twice in the first half and Talles Magno scored late in the second to propel New York City FC to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night.
The New Jersey Devils edged the Los Angeles Kings 6-4 on Saturday night.
The New York Islanders raced to an early lead and held on to beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Saturday.
Igor Shesterkin made 46 saves and Vladislav Gavrikov had a goal and two assists as the New York Rangers extended their winning streak to four games with a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.
The top-seeded Red Storm became the first team to win consecutive Big East Tournament titles since Villanova took three in a row from 2017-19.
The NYC DEP has announced plans to clean Flushing Creek with chlorine, sparking outrage among some environmentalists.
Neighbors and local businesses in Long Island City, Queens, say rental trucks parked on streets are impacting daily operations.
Erik Lochtefeld is back to acting and marathon training after a glioblastoma diagnosis and complex surgery at NYU Langone.
Manhattan historians recently discovered a link to the Underground Railroad at the Merchant's House Museum.
The National Dance Institute in Harlem hosts a special camp twice a year to bring together dancers with and without special needs for a dance camp, proving anyone can take center stage.
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.
In college basketball, one great season sets a tone for a program, but two in a row is a statement. St. John's has won the Big East regular season and tournament back-to-back years, and they did it building an identity through defense.
CBS News New York's Vanessa Murdock has your weather forecast for March 14 at 11 p.m.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani helped distribute food to families in Queens on Saturday before attending a girl's high school basketball championship game in Brooklyn.
We are now nearly a month into a partial government shutdown, and the nation's TSA agents have just missed their first full paycheck. Hundreds have left their jobs and some are calling out. CBS News New York's Tim McNicholas reports.
There was a large police response Saturday afternoon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center following a potential bomb scare.