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.
Saturday night's Red Sox-Yankees game was postponed due to rain and rescheduled.
Golden Tempo made Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner and the second woman to train a Belmont Stakes winner.
Saturday was New York City's annual Missing Persons Day, hosted by the city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
For half a century, The Valerie Fund has been dedicated to providing care to children with cancer and blood disorders.
An 18-year-old pleaded guilty Thursday to murder and weapons charges in connection to a deadly shooting at a Long Island house party in 2025.
Saturday was New York City's annual Missing Persons Day, hosted by the city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
An 18-year-old pleaded guilty Thursday to murder and weapons charges in connection to a deadly shooting at a Long Island house party in 2025.
Storms hit the New York City area on Saturday, bringing damaging winds, hail and downpours across the region.
The NYPD said some of the rowdiest fans started climbing on light poles, food carts and subway entrances after the Knicks took a 2-0 NBA Finals lead against the Spurs.
The red-hot Knicks are going home, two wins away from an NBA championship that the capital of the world has been waiting to see for generations.
Storms hit the New York City area on Saturday, bringing damaging winds, hail and downpours across the region.
It's unseasonably warm in New York City on Wednesday as humidity adds to the summer-like weather. There's also a slight chance for showers in parts of the Tri-State Area.
It's back to feeling like spring, and even summer on some days, as warm weather and sunshine return to the New York area.
A final round of showers is moving through the New York area in the morning before the rest of the week turns much drier and warmer.
The New York area is off to a soggy start to the unofficial kickoff of summer with rainy weather this Memorial Day Weekend.
For half a century, The Valerie Fund has been dedicated to providing care to children with cancer and blood disorders.
Storms hit the New York City area on Saturday, bringing damaging winds, hail and downpours across the region.
A New Jersey nonprofit called The Valerie Fund is celebrating 50 years of providing comprehensive care to children with cancer and blood disorders.
A child died and five people, including a firefighter and police officer, were hurt after flames broke out at a home in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said Thursday he is scaling back police at Delaney Hall. The announcement followed the arrests of two protesters on Wednesday night.
An 18-year-old pleaded guilty Thursday to murder and weapons charges in connection to a deadly shooting at a Long Island house party in 2025.
Storms hit the New York City area on Saturday, bringing damaging winds, hail and downpours across the region.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who is from Long Island, returned to his home turf Friday to spread the word on what is right with the agency.
A Long Island jury found Steven Schwally guilty of 2nd degree murder for ramming his car into a Deer Park nail salon while drunk.
John Gotti's grandson Carmine Gotti Agnello was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a woman, Nassau County Police said.
As President Trump prepares to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, officials are planning for a heightened security posture, sources said.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who is from Long Island, returned to his home turf Friday to spread the word on what is right with the agency.
In a CBS News interview, White House border czar Tom Homan defended conditions at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center, amid intense protests over the New Jersey facility. "
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said Thursday he is scaling back police at Delaney Hall. The announcement followed the arrests of two protesters on Wednesday night.
President Trump, a native New Yorker and self-described Knicks fan, said he was invited to attend a Knicks playoff game by the team's owner James Dolan, who has donated to his political campaigns.
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.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is urging people to donate blood ahead of the summer months.
There's no vaccine for the Bourbon virus, nor medicine to treat it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marie Francillion was diagnosed with lung cancer after she was feeling heartburn and shoulder pain. She said she's able to remain hopeful and spend more time with her family because of a different type of treatment.
Madonna performed a surprise concert in Times Square weeks before the release of her "Confessions II" album.
Knicks superfan Spike Lee stopped by CBS Mornings to give his thoughts as the Knicks get set to play in the NBA Finals, and he offered his prediction, too.
The 25th edition of the film and media festival opens on Wednesday, showcasing more than 100 world premiere documentaries and narrative features, as well as short films, live music, podcasts and conversations with leading entertainment figures.
Peabo Bryson, a two-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for Disney movie hits "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," has died at age 75.
Not many people know Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe's splash to stardom began at a Long Island beach.
Saturday night's Red Sox-Yankees game was postponed due to rain and rescheduled.
Golden Tempo made Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner and the second woman to train a Belmont Stakes winner.
Christian Scott threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, Jared Young and Luis Torrens hit home runs and the New York Mets beat the San Diego Padres 5-0 on Friday.
The red-hot Knicks are going home, two wins away from an NBA championship that the capital of the world has been waiting to see for generations.
Willson Conteras homered and drove in three runs on Friday night to lead the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the Yankees.
Harlem's historic Cotton Club recently announced it was up for sale. The news comes as jazz clubs across the borough disappear.
Jasir Gipson was shot by a stray bullet at 5 years old while walking with his mother. More than a decade later, he's graduating from high school with nothing but a smile.
Garbage piling up near freight train tracks is frustrating many Maspeth residents.
Residents and elected officials are urging the MTA to reopen the Long Island Rail Road's former Elmhurst station, arguing that the neighborhood has outgrown its current transit options.
Before there was a Brooklyn, there was a flagpole, and since the earliest days of our country, it stood as a symbol of freedom and self-determination.
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.
CBS News New York's Vanessa Murdock has your weather forecast for June 6 at 9 p.m.
CBS News New York's Vanessa Murdock has your weather forecast for June 6 at 8 p.m.
CBS News New York's Vanessa Murdock has your weather forecast for June 6 at 7 p.m.
More than two dozen people were taken into custody as rowdy crowds gathered outside Madison Square Garden following the Knicks' Game 2 victory Friday night, police said. CBS News New York's Andrew Ramos reports.
Police are searching for two people after a car crashed into a McDonald's in the Bronx on Saturday.
