Video Catches Narcotics Cop In Lie, Drug Charges Tossed

Three NYPD detectives and their supervisor have been stripped of their guns and badges pending an Internal Affairs investigation into a false accusation of drug dealing in the lobby of a Bronx building. In early 2009, Omar Tawdeen was arrested for allegedly selling crack cocaine to three people, and detective Francisco Payano testified that he witnessed Tawdeen deal the drugs. But Tawdeen insisted he was "innocent from day one of every single charge in that case," according to his lawyer. And during a pretrial hiring on February 9th, he was vindicated when surveillance video showed that not only didn't Tawdeen sell any drugs, but Payano wasn't even there. All the charges against Tawdeen were tossed out, and Judge Aarons told Payano he should retain a defense lawyer, sources tell the Post.

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By John Del Signore in News on March 16, 2010 9:46 AM

Comments [rss]

nyorker555

so the cops didnt know about the existence of the security video and were therefore caught in their lie to the court?

We arent getting the whole story. I hope the cop that takes the fall is actually the cop who thought the lies up.

Wza

Shocked!

Just shocked!

potsmoker

again another lying cop, and another innocent individual arrested.

The three purported buyers pleaded out their cases, but Tawdeen refused to plead guilty.

looks like the DA should review those cases and toss out the convictions. Three people copped pleas because they did not have the determination to fight the charges.

Omar Tawdeen i hope you get alot of money!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Detective Francisco Payano, i hope you get fired, lose your pension and go to JAIL!