Lawrence Police Officer Charged with Bribery, Lying to Agent

BOSTON—A Lawrence Police officer was indicted today in federal court for his role in connection with a ticketing and towing scheme in the city of Lawrence.

Pedro Jose Lopez, 46, an officer in the Lawrence Police Department since 1997, was indicted on charges of soliciting a bribe, making a false statement to a federal law enforcement officer, and obstructing justice.

The indictment alleges that from December 2010 through June 2011, Lopez solicited a free snow plow valued at $4,000 from the owner of a tow company in exchange for ordering the towing of vehicles by that company. The indictment further alleges that Lopez falsely stated to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that he had reimbursed the owner of the towing company for the snow plow. Finally, the indictment alleges that Lopez obstructed justice by providing an FBI agent a copy of a bogus receipt showing that Lopez had paid $4,000 to the owner of the tow company for the plow.

If convicted, Lopez faces up to years 20 years in prison on the obstruction of justice charge, up to 10 years in prison on the bribery charge, and up to five years in prison on the false statement charge. Lopez also faces up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation-Boston Field Division; and Chief John J. Romero of the Lawrence Police Department made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bloomer.

The details contained in the Indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.