New York City police officer accused of stealing a building
NEW YORK-- A New York City police officer is charged with stealing a vacant three-family townhouse in Brooklyn.
CBS New York reports that Blanche O'Neal, 45, is accused of filing paperwork in 2012 that transferred the deed of a property owned by other people to herself. The victims were unaware that they inherited the Brooklyn home in 1993, after its original owner died.
It sat vacant for years down the street from where O'Neal lives, according to prosecutors.
"And that was an opportunity that we allege this officer took advantage of by filing the necessary paperwork to be able to gain ownership falsely over the property," said Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson Monday.
Prosecutors say O'Neal then tried to sell the building, and the scheme was uncovered when a buyer contacted the building's actual owners.
But it was actually O'Neal who first contacted authorities about the alleged crime, Thompson said.
"Officer O'Neal reported that someone was basically trying to commit deed fraud against her," Thompson said.
O'Neal has been suspended from the New York Police Department without pay. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of a forged instrument, grand larceny, filing a false instrument, and perjury.