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.
The Philadelphia Phillies beat the reeling New York Mets 2-1 on Friday night.
Rainy weather will kick off the weekend in the New York City area before sunshine returns.
Payton Tolle took a perfect game into the sixth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on Friday night.
Traffic will be impacted in Midtown Manhattan as the city initiates shuttle bus corridors and street closures to accommodate World Cup ticketholders.
The suspect accused of killing two teenage girls in a hit-and-run in Cranford, New Jersey, last year will be tried as an adult, officials said Friday.
Rainy weather will kick off the weekend in the New York City area before sunshine returns.
Traffic will be impacted in Midtown Manhattan as the city initiates shuttle bus corridors and street closures to accommodate World Cup ticketholders.
Many New Yorkers are finding ways to help those in Venezuela following this week's powerful back-to-back earthquakes.
New York Mets fans seem to be directing frustration at David Stearns and Steve Cohen after manager Carlos Mendoza's firing.
The site will continue to house a casino, but Aqueduct's move to Long Island brings a rare opportunity to the South Ozone Park community.
Rainy weather will kick off the weekend in the New York City area before sunshine returns.
Monday's severe weather has come and gone, but that doesn't mean the system is leaving the area.
After a tranquil, warm weekend, more turbulent weather lies ahead in the New York City area.
Weather is tranquil and pleasant in the New York City area for Father's Day weekend as summer officially begins.
Dangerous heat is building across the Tri-State Area with the threat of severe storms, making Thursday and Friday First Alert Weather Days.
Rainy weather will kick off the weekend in the New York City area before sunshine returns.
Traffic will be impacted in Midtown Manhattan as the city initiates shuttle bus corridors and street closures to accommodate World Cup ticketholders.
The suspect accused of killing two teenage girls in a hit-and-run in Cranford, New Jersey, last year will be tried as an adult, officials said Friday.
Table to Table is on a mission to make sure nothing goes to waste at 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup celebrations in New Jersey.
Law enforcement officials found a home laboratory and a shed full of explosives at a home in Denville, New Jersey.
A Long Island school district official is accused of trashing ballots to rig an election.
A Long Island school district official is accused of trashing ballots to rig an election. CBS News New York's Jennifer McLogan reports.
The site will continue to house a casino, but Aqueduct's move to Long Island brings a rare opportunity to the South Ozone Park community.
A young entrepreneur with Down syndrome opened his first brick-and-mortar store on Long Island after his sock company went global.
A defense attorney made stunning new claims in court Wednesday about what may have sparked the fatal stabbing of a Massapequa man.
A Long Island school district official is accused of trashing ballots to rig an election.
Bolton agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine, pleading guilty to one count of retaining classified national security information.
CBS News New York Investigates is looking into Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and the new work requirements in order to keep them.
Victims of e-bike crashes are suing New York City over Mayor Zohran Mamdani's directive ending criminal enforcement of violations.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Trump administration can move forward with its efforts to strip more than 356,000 Syrian and Haitian immigrants of temporary protections.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Justice Department from executing subpoenas in a criminal probe that sought transgender care records for patients treated at New York hospitals.
An off-duty EMT jumped into action at the Knicks parade Thursday when a man appeared to be suffering from an overdose.
New York broadcast giant Bill Ritter announced Friday he is stepping down from the WABC anchor desk after being diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's.
For half a century, The Valerie Fund has been dedicated to providing care to children with cancer and blood disorders.
A New Jersey nonprofit called The Valerie Fund is celebrating 50 years of providing comprehensive care to children with cancer and blood disorders.
Fans gathered at the Brooklyn Public Library on Thursday for limited-edition card marking 30 years of "Reasonable Doubt."
There appear to be new clues about the location of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding.
Clive Davis helped shape the careers of music stars including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.
When a large tent appeared next door to Taylor Swift's Watch Hill estate this week, it didn't take long for speculation about the superstar's impending nuptials to ripple through the affluent New England seaside village.
Claude Guillemot and a flight instructor were flying in a twin-motor Cessna 421 on Friday evening. An investigation into the crash is underway.
The Philadelphia Phillies beat the reeling New York Mets 2-1 on Friday night.
Payton Tolle took a perfect game into the sixth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on Friday night.
New York Mets fans seem to be directing frustration at David Stearns and Steve Cohen after manager Carlos Mendoza's firing.
The Second Round Foundation, founded by Sandra and Jalen Brunson, aims to help provide young people with what they need to thrive in the future.
Carlos Mendoza was fired as manager of the underperforming New York Mets on Friday and replaced by Andy Green.
Fans gathered at the Brooklyn Public Library on Thursday for limited-edition card marking 30 years of "Reasonable Doubt."
After learning to swim in her 40s, one school leader is helping students gain life-saving skills.
Entrepreneurs in Brooklyn are reimagining laundry day as a social experience, turning neighborhood laundromats into gathering spaces.
Experts say the team's title run created a feeling of collective joy and connection, while some local businesses are also seeing a boost from the celebration.
Knicks fans who couldn't make it to Thursday's parade still found a way to celebrate across New York in true blue-and-orange fashion.
People dressed in elaborate headgear and paraded up Fifth Avenue for New York City's Easter Sunday tradition.
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.
The annual Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival was held in Manhattan on April 20, 2025.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The pilot of a United Airlines flight said they had a close call with a drone while arriving at Newark Airport on Friday.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries battling an apartment fire in Queens on Friday.
A manhunt is underway for a man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in a Bronx park Tuesday night.
As communities across the country prepare to celebrate America's 250th birthday next week, a New Jersey town marked the milestone by opening a time capsule that had been sealed for more than 40 years. CBS News New York's Naomi Ruchim reports.
Police in Westchester County are warning residents about a black bear sighting, and in Orange County, an EMS chief helped rescue an injured owl.
