A controversial ex-Lengthy Island police chief accused of exposing himself to a male park ranger couldn’t have performed the lewd act as a result of “his curiosity lies towards the feminine,” his legal professional claimed.
Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke, who was as soon as convicted of beating up a person who stole his porn stash and is blamed by critics for botching the Gilgo Seashore murders investigation, could have his fees of indecent publicity and public lewdness dismissed if he stays out of bother over the following six months, court docket data present.
He was initially accused of flashing and masturbating in entrance of a plainclothes ranger at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Farmingville on Aug. 22, 2023 – however the case fell aside due to unspecified misconduct allegations in opposition to that ranger and two of his colleagues, the Suffolk County District Lawyer’s Workplace mentioned.
His lawyer, James O’Rourke, advised The Put up that Burke continues to strongly deny the legal case in opposition to him whereas noting the rangers tied to the case had credibility points.
Police alleged on the time of the arrest, Burke “solicited sexual acts from the plainclothes ranger.”
“If anybody who is aware of James Burke, and sadly James Burke’s life has up to now 10, 12 years has been considerably of an open e-book based mostly upon the varied fees,” O’Rourke mentioned. “He could also be a variety of issues, however his curiosity lies towards the feminine, not the male.
“If it was a girl of the night he may need been there with, one would have pause concerning the credibility of his denial, however that’s not the case right here. He denies it vociferously.”
Decide Eric Sachs granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal in court docket Wednesday after prosecutors mentioned they may not go ahead with the case.
Rangers concerned within the arrest are going through misconduct allegations and have all since left their positions, the district legal professional’s workplace mentioned.
“Following the arrest of James Burke, three Park Law enforcement officials concerned within the arrest resigned, together with the officer who was alleged to have personally seen the legal conduct,” a spokesperson for the DA mentioned.
“Primarily based upon disclosures required by New York State regulation of alleged misconduct, it was decided that the Folks couldn’t meet the burden at trial.”
The DA’s workplace referred to as the disposition “applicable.”
Burke has a scandalous and legal previous after he was once-powerful regulation enforcement official.
He failed to achieve significant progress within the early levels of the Gilgo Seashore serial killer probe, chopping off FBI help throughout his tenure as chief between 2012 and 2015.
Massapequa Park father of two Rex Heuermann was captured in 2023 after the probe was kicked into excessive gear the 12 months and Burke was out of workplace. Heuermann, an ogre-like Manhattan architect, pleaded responsible to seven murders and admitted to an eighth killing in early April.
Burke additionally served a federal jail stint for roughing up a person who stole a stash of porn and a intercourse toy from his official police car in 2012 after which making an attempt to cowl his tracks.
He misplaced his police-issued service weapon twice whereas he was engaged in a sexual relationship with a lady who was a convicted felon, Newsday reported in 2013, citing an inner affairs report.
He was additionally accused in 2016 of attending intercourse events with medicine and prostitution, mentioned lawyer John Ray, who was representing a Gilgo Seashore sufferer and prostitute. On the time, a lawyer for Burke reportedly mentioned the claims didn’t warrant a reply.
O’Rourke, Burke’s authorized rep, mentioned his consumer was “delighted” the legal case would quickly be behind him.
“There isn’t a purpose why the last word dismissal won’t be granted and he start to hopefully start to take pleasure in his retirement with none cloud over his head,” O’Rourke mentioned.
Burke’s subsequent court docket date is about for Oct. 28.
