CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — A district attorney says a New York detective stole confidential documents and leaked them to a newspaper, endangering fellow officers and investigations.
District Attorney Thomas Spota identified the Suffolk County detective as John Oliva. The 48-year-old retired in June.
Spota says Oliva was arrested Tuesday, waived indictment and immediately pleaded guilty to official misconduct. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge that includes a cooperation agreement.
Oliva’s attorney said he was a great detective and would be missed.
The district attorney says that in one instance, two armed robbery suspects were able to read confidential details in Newsday about the police investigation as officers closed in.
Spota says police officers should not be enticed by reporters.
The newspaper says in a statement that it stands by its reporting.
