Trial Date Set For Ex-Suffolk Police Chief Facing Federal Civil Rights Charges
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A judge has set a March 21 trial date for a former Long Island police chief accused of beating suspect in a precinct interrogation room and then coercing officers to lie about it.
Christopher Loeb, 29, was arrested after someone broke into the Burke's SUV in December 2012 and made off with a gun belt, handcuffs, magazines of ammunition, a box of cigars, humidor and a canvas bag that contained, among other items, sex toys and video pornography, authorities said.
Loeb pleaded guilty to stealing the bag in 2014, and is currently serving three years in prison.
Loeb and his attorney, Amy Marion, moved to file a lawsuit against the Suffolk County Police Department in February 2015, claiming that he suffered great physical pain after he was beaten while in custody at Suffolk County Police Department in 2012.
Loeb and his attorney claim that stealing the bag was the motive for Burke ganging up with other Suffolk County officers and beating Loeb at the police precinct station house following the arrest, CBS2 reported.
Burke decided to retire from the police force in late October, while a federal investigation of the case was still ongoing. He had served 30 years with the police department.
Burke surrendered to federal authorities at his home in St. James on Dec. 9. It was later ruled that he would be held without bail.
Joseph Conway, Burke's lawyer, vehemently denies the charges against his client. As for Loeb's allegations, "they're a fabrication of a two-time felon, admitted heroin dealer," Conway told reporters in December 2015.
The trial date was set Wednesday during a brief court hearing in U.S. District Court on Long Island.
He could face more than five years in prison if convicted.
Conway said Burke is looking forward to clearing his name.
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