Four East Haven "bullies with badges" arrested

East Haven, Conn. (WTNH/AP) - The FBI has arrested four East Haven police officers on conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges following an investigation into alleged civil rights violations.

"In simple terms, these defendants behaved like bullies with badges," said Janice Fedarcyk, assistant director of the New York office of the FBI.

A union spokesperson says they believe the officers will be exonerated. The union says the four officers had been suspended with pay.

The East Haven officers assaulted individuals while they were handcuffed, unlawfully searched Latino businesses, and harassed and intimidated individuals, including advocates, witnesses and other officers who tried to investigate or report misconduct or abuse the officers committed, according to the federal indictment.

• Read the Indictment (.pdf)

Federal law enforcement officials said in indictment papers that Officer Dennis Spaulding, Officer David Cari Officer Jason Zullo and Sgt. John Miller executed unreasonable searches and seizures and used unreasonable force and concealed their actions. 

Miller is the president of the police union.

"At its core, this is an abuse of power case," said Assistant US Attorney General Thomas Perez.

"The officers abused their authority to deprave people of their constitutional rights, in the color of law," said Fedarcyk. "In simple of terms they behaved like bullies with badges.

Mayor Maturo said the four men were arrested at about 6 a.m. Tuesday. 

The FBI investigation stretches back to the 2009 arrest of Father James Manship, who videotaped officers inside a store owned by Hispanics . Father Manship was arrested, but the charges were later dropped.

The indictment includes charges of trying to intimidate other police officers and commissioners trying to investigate that incident. It also includes car-to-car radio communication between Officers Zullo and Spaulding, in which Zullo allegedly says, "persons who have drifted to this country on rafts made of chicken wings are now residing on Main Street, East Haven."

"These officers have damaged the reputation of their department," said Fedarcyk.

The federal government had been investigating allegations of racial profiling in the town.

Donald Cretella, Miller's lawyer, said his client has been honored with awards and risked his life in shootouts.

"John Miller is a hero in East Haven," he said. "He's decorated. He's a wonderful family man. Hopefully, we'll clear his name."

Frank Riccio Jr., Spaulding's attorney, said his client is an exemplary police officer.

"At this early stage it's our position Mr. Spaulding is not guilty of the charges. He's been nothing but an exemplary police officer. That's why this is shocking."

It wasn't immediately clear who was representing Cari and Zullo.

The indictment says Miller reported to a police department leader described as a co-conspirator who blocked efforts by the police commission to investigate Miller's misconduct. That refers to Chief Leonard Gallo, according to his attorney, Jon Einhorn, who denied that Gallo blocked the investigation.

"It's unfair that he is mentioned in this regard when he isn't even indicted," Einhorn said.

Gallo would not comment on Tuesday's developments, but Mayor Maturo attempted to reassure residents.

"What I want everyone else to know is that we stand behind our police department and we are not a racially-motivated community," Maturo said, "we welcome everyone."

Some on these streets like Joe Wiseman say they've never known the police in East Haven to be anything but professional.

"That's surprising to me cause the ones I've run into, really no issues, you know," said Wiseman, no issues, no issues in the school, stuff like that."

Edgar Marin would disagree, though even he says, to see today's developments doesn't make him feel any better.

"Not too happy because you know...I'm not happy because he has a family," Marin said. "I have a family too so you know, I'll never be happy with something bad."

The investigation is ongoing and officers are continuing to look into additional incidents, said U.S. Attorney David Fein.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the FBI Tips Line at 212-384-1000.