BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.
BOSTON – A former Boston Police officer and former treasurer of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston to making a false statement to the FBI in connection with his cash loans to a known criminal.
David Michael Fitzgerald, 49, who resides in Milton, pleaded guilty to a one count Information of making a false statement to the FBI. Fitzgerald was a Boston Police officer from 1996 until this June when he resigned as part of his plea agreement. He was the treasurer of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPAA) from 2012 to 2014.
According to court documents, Fitzgerald developed a relationship with an individual who was a known street-level drug dealer and bookmaker. During the course of this relationship, Fitzgerald made cash loans to the individual, which were paid back in weekly installments. On April 27, 2015, Fitzgerald met the individual in Watertown in order to collect a $500 cash installment for one of the outstanding loans. Later that same day, when federal agents who were investigating the matter questioned Fitzgerald, he falsely stated that the purpose of his meeting with the individual was simply social in nature and that he had never loaned money to the individual. Not only were these statements untrue, but they were intended to interfere with an ongoing federal investigation.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. In addition to his resignation, the plea agreement also contemplates a joint, non-binding recommendation to the Court for a sentence of one year probation. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Judge Nathaniel Gorton set sentencing for Oct. 20, 2015.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of the Boston Police Department’s Anti-Corruption Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris and Robert A. Fisher of Ortiz’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit.
