Boston Police Officer Charged with Making False Statements

BOSTON – A Boston Police officer and former treasurer of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association was charged today with making a false statement to the FBI in connection with his cash loans to a known criminal.

David Michael Fitzgerald, 49, who resides in Milton, was charged in an Information with one count of making a false statement to the FBI.  Fitzgerald has been a Boston Police Department police officer since 1996 and was the treasurer of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPAA) from 2012 to 2014.

According to court documents, Fitzgerald developed a relationship with an individual who was a known street-level drug dealer and bookmaker.  During the course of this relationship, Fitzgerald made cash loans to the individual, which were paid back in weekly installments.  On April 27, 2015, Fitzgerald met the individual in Watertown in order to collect a $500 cash installment for one of the outstanding loans.  Later that same day, when federal agents who were investigating the matter questioned Fitzgerald, he falsely stated that the purpose of his meeting with the individual was simply social in nature and that he had never loaned money to the individual.  Not only were these statements untrue, but they were intended to interfere with an ongoing federal investigation.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  The plea agreement also filed today states that Fitzgerald has agreed to resign his position as a Boston Police Officer, and there will be a joint recommendation to the Court for a sentence of one year probation.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office also wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of the Boston Police Department’s Anti-Corruption Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris and Robert A. Fisher of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit & Special Prosecutions Unit.

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