Defense attorneys ask judge to plug leaks in tix-fix case

Lawyers in the Bronx ticket fixing case have plenty of work ahead of them.

Investigators intercepted more than 450,000 communications (139,000 phone calls and additional text messages and e-mails) during the nearly two-year inquiry into organized ticket fixing, lawyers revealed at a packed hearing at Bronx Criminal Court on Jan. 5. 

Huddled around a small table — normally fit for one or two defense attorneys — a dozen lawyers representing 15 of the 16 police officers arrested as part of the ticket-fixing probe told Judge Steven Barret that they would need a lot of time to sort through the mountain of data compiled by prosecutors and the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau.

Mr. Barret gave them until April 13.

“I don’t want this case to stagnate,” Mr. Barret said. 

Speaking on behalf of the lawyers, Richard Shaffer, the attorney for Police Benevolent Association trustee Joseph Anthony — a former 50th Precinct PBA delegate — asked Mr. Barret to prevent the wiretaps from being made public.

“We’re asking the court to enter a protective order … that there be no dissemination of any wiretaps,” Mr. Shaffer said.

In the months leading up to the October arrests of 21 people, including 16 cops, news of the not-so-secret investigation and details from confidential grand jury proceedings found their way into many of the city’s newspapers, including The Riverdale Press. As a result, lawyers contend, the Bronx’s jury pool may have been tainted and risks further skewing if more wiretap information is leaked.

“We will not disseminate anything, outside of what’s permissible by the law,” a representative of the Bronx District Attorney’s office shot back, before telling Mr. Barret that his office does not object to the motion.

Mr. Shaffer was the go-to attorney for Mr. Barret’s questions about the overall defense. It was a fitting role, as his client, Mr. Anthony, was made out in indictments to have been a go-to guy inside the PBA for ticket fixing.

Indictments allege that Mr. Anthony was recorded working with several delegates and PBA staffers in 2010 to quash or interfere with tickets.