Ex-Cop Charged With Lying to Feds

Ex-Stoughton cop charged with lying to feds
The Associated Press - January 13, 2010

STOUGHTON, MA — Charges have been filed against another former member of the beleaguered Stoughton police department. Anthony Bickerton, a detective who retired in September, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with making false statements to FBI agents investigating corruption in the department. Bickerton was released on $50,000 bond following an initial appearance on Wednesday in U.S. District Court. An FBI affidavit says a cooperating witness claims to have provided Bickerton with stolen electronic equipment and gift cards. The witness also said Bickerton occasionally provided him access to sensitive law enforcement databases. Bickerton’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, said he was reviewing the case but had no further comment. Another former Stoughton police officer, Arlindo Romeiro, pleaded guilty last week to making false statements to the FBI.

Department of Justice Press Release
For Immediate Release
January 13, 2010 United States Attorney's Office
District of Massachusetts
Contact: (617) 748-3100

Former Stoughton Police Detective Charged in Corruption Matter

BOSTON, MA—A recently retired veteran detective of the Stoughton Police Department, who also currently serves on the Stoughton School Committee, was arrested yesterday pursuant to a criminal Complaint charging him with making false statements and representations to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in an ongoing public corruption matter. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced that ANTHONY BICKERTON, age 60, of Stoughton, a former veteran Stoughton Police detective, has been charged with making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding an alleged corrupt relationship with a convicted felon. The Complaint alleges that BICKERTON made these false statements during the course of an interview on July 15, 2009, in which the Federal Bureau of Investigations was probing corruption in the Stoughton Police Department. “The Complaint alleges that an active Stoughton Police Department detective engaged in a longstanding corrupt relationship with a convicted criminal and then lied about that relationship to the FBI,” said U.S. Attorney Ortiz. “Allegation such as this, if ultimately proven, undermine the public’s faith in law enforcement and the administration of justice. My office remains committed to ensuring the rule of law through uncovering and prosecuting police corruption.” If convicted of the crime charged in the Complaint, BICKERTON faces up to five years' imprisonment, to be followed by three years' supervised release and a $250,000 fine. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian T. Kelly, Chief of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit. The details contained in the Complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.