"Snitches Get Stitches," so the saying goes. But the undercover NYPD officer whose work was largely responsible for the department's ticket-fixing woes has just been promoted. The Wall Street Journal reports that he has been bumped up a rank by Commissioner Ray Kelly at a "private ceremony." The now first-class detective had cut hair before becoming a cop, and was able to get a job at one of Jose Ramos' barbershops, where he was party to many an illicit conversation. more ›

A former chief fire marshal for the FDNY has allegedly been granted a generous plea agreement for a DWI charge he incurred in December. Louis Garcia, who the Daily News calls a "legendary FDNY figure" before his retirement in 2008, allegedly ran a stop sign near his home in Whitestone and crashed his Mercedes into an unmarked police car. more ›

Though just 16 police officers were indicted in the ticket-fixing sting, the names of 160 NYPD officers were implicated, and some will be asked by the Bronx DA to testify against those who face charges. Given the climate outside the Bronx courthouse on Friday, it's understandable why many will be hesitant to do so. "You can forgive guys for going into the grand jury, because they were [caught on wiretaps]" one cop tells the Daily News. "But how can you help a DA who attacked your profession win these cases?" more ›

José Ramos, the NYPD officer whose chatter with drug dealers on tapped phone lines instigated the department's massive ticket-fixing probe, said back in April that he didn't take money for his "professional courtesy." "I haven't taken a dime. I have nothing to worry about," he said. Now, a NYPD source tells the Post that Ramos actually accepted a flatscreen TV among other stolen electronics. more ›

Bronx prosecutors have won their first case involving a ticket-fixing cop. Leonardo Coronado was convicted of DWI yesterday despite his attorney grilling arresting officer Richard Urbina about tampering with summonses. According to the Daily News, Urbina admitted to the judge that ticket-fixing was a "breach of his oath," but called the practice a "common courtesy" that he performed for his father and two cab drivers. more ›

After becoming the deciding factor in the acquittals of a DWI and an attempted murder suspect, ticket-fixing may become the focal point of a Bronx murder trial. 25-year-old Careem Johnson is charged with shooting 18-year-old Jose Arvelo with seven bullets in 2008, and the alleged murder is caught on surveillance tape. But arresting officer Detective Jason Allison was caught on a wiretap asking a union delegate to erase a summons. "The ticket-fixing defense can only help here, even if it's a long shot," a Bronx defense attorney tells the Daily News. more ›

After the police officer who was at the genesis of the NYPD's ticket-fixing probe—who had his picture posted online, started receiving death threats—authorities have taken notice. According to the Daily News, Internal Affairs detective Randy Katakofsky's picture was posted on Thee Rant, a message board for current and former NYPD officers, and at least one user thought Katakofsky should kill himself. The department then asked the website to remove the photos and messages, and met with Katakofsky to ensure his safety. Currently, there's a "What Happened to the Det Katastropy Thread?" on the site. more ›

BREAKING: police officers don't like it when they're investigated by other police officers, especially for exercising the "professional privilege" of ticket-fixing for friends, family, and a guy who had sweet Yankees tickets. According to the Daily News' sources, Bronx narcotics cops aren't bringing major drug cases District Attorney Robert Johnson, who has led the probe, instead going to special narcotics prosecutor Bridget Brennan. "The feeling is, 'Why go to them if you can get around it?' There's some bad blood." Nothing a torn-up ticket or two can't fix! more ›