Law & Order (1990) s01e22 Episode Script
The Blue Wall
Narrator:.
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups- the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
These are their stories.
Judge: On the first count of the indictment, criminal facilitation in the first degree, how does the jury find? Not guilty.
On the second count of the indictment, money laundering in the first degree, how does the jury find? Not guilty.
On the third count of the indictment, conspiracy in the fifth degree, how does the jury find? Not guilty.
Judge: Thank you.
Court is adjoumed.
Attorney: The arrest was insulting, the indictment was ludicrous, and the result was predictable.
The district attorney wanted to look tough on white-collar crime so they smeared three innocent men.
But they couldn't bamboozle a jury of 12 honest New Yorkers.
Reporter:.
Thank you.
Mr.
Stone? Yes? The defense says this was malicious prosecution.
If the law had allowed it I'd have indicted those defendants for murder.
Reporter #2: wall Street bankers for murder? Bankers who help drug dealers clean their money are as guilty as the drug dealers themselves.
Reporter #1: what about that missing evidence? I can't comment on the investigation.
I do know someone in the New York City Police Department altered evidence by erasing bank transactions on computer discs.
That is a felony, ladies and gentlemen.
There'll be indictments.
This case is not over- it's just beginning.
I don't remember, okay?! Page nine, first column on the bottom.
How long they been in there? About an hour.
Internal Affairs? Yeah.
what gives? These guys taking a run at the whole precinct? No, just me.
You gave the DA three dealers and their bankers on a silver platter.
Now they're after you? If I was Internal Affairs, I'd be looking at me, too.
O'Farrell is in charge of the property clerk's office.
we go back a long way.
He's given me every one of my promotions.
And he passes out captain's bars.
So the chief took care of you for 20 years.
So what? That means you two tampered with evidence? They got to go after somebody.
You're guilty by association because O'Farrell runs the evidence department? what did they say happened to the evidence? Manhattan Mercantile Bank.
Computer discs got erased.
All the illegal transactions just vanished.
IAD didn't tell me who, what, or why, but am I at the top of their list? Yeah.
How's your appointment book? It's the Boorman murder.
Getting ready for trial.
what? I'm in a corner, here.
It's an IAD case.
we'll see what we can find out.
Yeah.
whose collar was it? Cassidy and Manetti's.
DA loses a case, who gets the shaft? Cops.
I'm telling you, we did it by the book.
Ain't no best seller.
what happened? Around the clock stakeout.
Colombians.
Doing maybe a million a year.
Not big dealers.
Yeah, they live in tenements, right? One day, we get a break.
They take their money to Manhattan Mercantile.
Four briefcases- cash.
I want to bust in, get the dealers and the bankers.
Cragen says no.
"You got to wait for the money trail.
Prove they laundered it.
" They get some diode heads downtown, track the money by computer.
So when Stone goes to trial, the computer discs are erased.
Right- but only the incriminating files.
whoever did it knewwhat he was doing.
So to the jury, it looks like the evidence was never there.
what about the computer jock who traced the money? what's his name? An IAD case- you're turning over rocks here.
Turn over a rock you might find a rattlesnake.
The way the DA's screaming you'd think it was the first case they ever lost.
Every time's the first time.
what happened with these computer discs? The drug dealers- the Colombians, they leave the bank.
we wait three days then bust in.
I take two discs.
Shows the drug money was wired offshore.
Cayman Islands.
So you saw the files, the evidence was there.
I saw the files.
right on my computer screen.
You didn't make a printout? I'm leaving for my honeymoon.
Bermuda.
They say cancel.
I say, "Go to hell! Send the disc to the property clerk.
I'll do the trial work when I get back.
" when you get back, the discs are changed? You got it.
This captain, what's his name? Cragen? what's his story? You hear stuff, you know.
what do you hear? Everything I heard, I already told three times.
Don't you guys at IAD talk to each other? IAD? Real smooth, Sergeant.
IAD swears me in blood not to talk about this case.
You don't tell 'em, we don't tell 'em.
wow, this is freakin' amazing.
I don't know a computer disc from a slipped disc.
well, your name's getting tossed around.
It's the same song everywhere- people are saying O'Farrell's your rabbi.
He's in charge of the property clerk, so your detectives knew when evidence was there.
Then- what do you say? He's reporting, not accusing.
IAD tells you you're under investigation.
They mention why they think you'd help these three bankers? One thing they lean on over and over- they keep saying I talk to the chief every couple of days while this case is running.
what do we talk about? You talk to him lately? with IAD probably listening in on my phone line? No.
Doesn't mean we can't.
O'Farrell: So this young DA- I may be two years on the force- this DA- he's three weeks out of Harvard, mind you- he says to me, "Officer, can you tell me the difference between 'suspicion' and 'probable cause'?" So I look him in the eye, and I say, "Can you tell me what is in Section 129 of the penal law?" And he says, "I'll look it up.
" what is in Section 129? There is no Section 129.
There's a good cop.
Listen - we knowwe're out of our league here.
we really appreciate you talking to us.
That's all right.
why are they after you and Cragen? All right, you're Schiff.
You've got an election j coming up.
You've just blown the bankers' case.
what do you do? Go after some Irish cops.
But the evidence? Ethnic politics, it never dies.
Something did happen to it.
Don Cragen and me, now you just ask yourself does it make any sense for us to risk what we've got? My guess, some kid in the DA's office checked out the discs and he louses 'em up.
IAD is after cops.
If there is a cop involved in this, I will buy the whole department dinner.
At what this steak cost you'll have to take out a second mortgage.
Only if I'm wrong.
The Boorman case.
Pretty thorough, you guys.
well, we always check our evidence twice before we testify.
Right and my diet's working, too.
You were Cragen's partner? Forget it.
IAD's got a bullet with his name on it.
They're after a good cop.
we're all good cops.
Even the dirty ones.
IAD? those jerk shoo-flies- "Tweedledum" and "Tweedledumber" come in here and pop the file cabinets.
They copy every piece of paper.
Like? The sign-in logs.
Like who was here, when.
Mind if we take a look? Page 57, column three.
what? The week the evidence was messed with.
Lots of cops through here but your pal Cragen- He was here that week, twice.
Two days in a row.
Like he was taking something out and bringing it back.
Cragen: For the rest of my life I sign nothing.
I'm gonna burn my dry cleaning stubs.
So, you gentlemen would like to know why I was at the property clerk.
Joey Buscalera, sergeant from the fraud squad, you remember him? Yeah, he was with us- two months? Yeah.
I had him on a case.
Auto parts.
Chop shop? Buscalera was testifying on another case.
No time to do his evidence summary.
So I drove to the property clerk and did it for him.
Do a guy a favor and look what happens.
what, Max, what is it? Property clerk supervisor says you were- you were there two days in a row.
Now you drive back and forth two days in a row to help some detective on loan? when headquarters is on my tail? when they're shoving productivity reports down my throat? Yes, Max, I do.
Two days j in a row- that's a lot of favor.
Max- You know the procedure.
I did his evidence summary.
I brought it back here.
He signed it.
I took it back, logged it, and left a copy with the DA.
Joey, this evidence summary that Cragen helped you get ready- I like Cragen.
He did you a favor.
would I finger a cop? I don't cross the blue wall.
Nobody's j accusing you.
You know how it is.
You gotta testify in two trials.
You can't get downtown.
So you ask Cragen Not exactly.
Cragen asked if I'm ready.
I'm in a bind.
He volunteers to go to the property clerk, do my evidence summary.
whoa, he volunteers? He's a good cop.
Yeah, yeah, good cop.
Thanks, Joey.
what, am I talking Swahili? IAD's all over this case.
Come on, Mulvehill, you were here.
I thought you could tell me a little- Tonight, I go home at 6:00.
In the garage, a '65 Malibu, best Big Six they ever made.
when I'm finished with it, mint condition.
If IAD comes after me because I'm talking to you I will be fixing cars every day instead of nights and weekends.
Cragen's got in.
I don't know the man! Look- supposedly Cragen's the only cop in here two days in a row.
So you're saying if somebody fiddled with the evidence- Then it must be Cragen.
Yeah.
Or an inside job.
Or both.
You son of a bitch! You're ever in trouble, I sure as hell hope somebody treats you like this.
Hey.
All right.
Upstairs the men's room, five minutes.
Hendrickson? He's already divorced.
Lives in a hellhole one bedroom way down on Avenue C.
Avenue C? You could get killed in the crossfire on a good night.
with his alimony? He wishes he was dead.
Let's go.
You got a quarter? Just give it a whack.
Cragen volunteered, Buscalera didn't ask.
Maybe Cragen was just doing his job.
I got to keep saying this? I know he's not dirty.
Now I knowwhy IAD's going six ways through Sunday to prove that he is.
Because it looks like he wanted to be at the property clerk's office.
Maybe someone else did, too.
Look at this.
Property clerk's duty roster, headquarters master roll call.
Now the week the evidence was tampered with there were 28 cops and 13 civilians working there.
Any of 'em know Chief O'Farrell? Assuming it was O'Farrell's party.
Assuming.
You want me to dig up their service records? Forget reprimand from IAD, that'll rate a full-scale hearing.
Hey, wait a sec.
The master roll call and the duty roster ought to be identical.
But what's his name from the property clerk's gave you both.
There's gotta be a reason, right? Master roll call comes from headquarters at the beginning of the month.
Duty roster comes out every Tuesday.
If it's an inside job, when do they do it? when there's no traffic.
Give me the the names of everybody on the duty roster's third shifts.
Okay.
webster Um-hum.
Dumoze Um-hum.
McCrory Nope.
He's on the duty roster, but headquarters doesn't show him as working on the master roll call.
Heh! Headquarters says Officer Al McCrory retired two weeks earlier.
He was retired, but he worked two weeks later? Maybe he loved working at the property clerk.
Yeah, he loved it so much he couldn't leave.
Let's get an address.
Think he'll talk to us? Yeah, maybe he'll tell us how he affords this house.
Al McCrory? Yeah? Sergeant Greevey, Detective Logan.
Do I know you fellas? we ever work together? No, we just want to ask you, when you were gonna retire, you worked the property clerk's office an extra couple of days? what's this about? There's a discrepancy - it says you were retired but still working.
Some problem with my pension? Hey, wait a minute, you guys work for Cragen? Hey, what am I wearing a sign on my forehead that says stupid?! Your captain's in trouble don't come to me! wait a minute.
Hey, you touch me, I'll have you up for assault.
You better get out of my house, and out of my yard.
Now there's a guy with nothing to hide.
woman: Max! what a nice j surprise.
we never see you anymore.
How's Marie? How are the kids? Fine.
Everybody's good.
Good.
You're lucky, you don't have to drink his coffee today.
It's already made.
I've got an 8:00 flight, so give my best to Marie.
Sure.
Okay.
Thanks, honey.
Bye-bye.
Bye.
Just happen to be in the neighborhood? No.
You want to come in? Putting in a pool? Yeah.
Oh.
You know a cop named Al McCrory? Property clerk's duty roster says he worked the same days you were there.
Master roll call says he retired two weeks earlier.
Friend of yours? He used to drive for the chief a couple of years.
You know him? Just to say hello.
And you haven't seen him in years? That's right.
But you know him, O'Farrell knows him, and he worked after he retired.
You think you'll come in for a few days after you retire? So McCrory knows the chief.
That make him guilty? Any more than my being there makes me guilty? McCrory, we saw him.
He knewwho we were, somehow put our names together with yours.
Forget about him for a second.
what about Chief O'Farrell? You just don't like politicians, Max.
Never did.
Not when they're crooked.
And especially not when they try to bring my friends down with them.
I had nothing to do with it.
I'm sure Pete O'Farrell didn't either.
Oh, that's great.
Donnie, what are you doing? "See no evil, hear no evil"? How can you even think I would tamper with evidence?! I don't! But something isn't kosher! I don't knowwhat it is.
I sure as hell hope you don't either! You do me a favor, huh, Max? Forget I ever asked you to help me.
You better run yourself a little reality check.
The sharks are out and there's blood in the water.
The property clerk? It's off-limits to you.
Just keep out of this investigation.
what are you pulling "good cop-bad cop" on me like I'm some kind of a perp? For all I know, you are.
Listen to me, pal - No, you listen to me! You and Greevey keep your noses out of this! You talk to one more cop one more- don't think reprimand.
It's gonna be a hearing for a suspension.
It's better for you, really.
Stay away from the property clerk, the computer people, Buscalera, from the FEC, and from Chief O'Farrell.
Am I making myself clear? Listen, the IAD mentioned the FEC.
what's the deal? Federal Elections Commission.
what's that got to do with an IAD case? Oh no.
what? Billy wilson.
My congressman? You're 15 years too young to remember.
Before he was a congressman, wilson was a cop.
And? what have we been missing? Motive.
why would anybody help those bankers? I'm waiting, Max.
Chief O'Farrell was Billy wilson's hand-picked successor.
who would O'Farrell do a favor for? Give me some quarters.
This isn't a call I want to make inside the precinct.
The House Banking Committee.
Billy wilson's been there since he was elected.
Those three bankers that got off, they gave his campaign a lot of money- the legal limit - at least all that's on the books.
You give money to your congressman, it's automatically a payoff? Gee, I thought this was a democracy.
O'Farrell was your rabbi the same way that wilson was O'Farrell's.
You need a motive for him to tamper with evidence.
I think you got one.
I said, help me out.
Did I ask you to nail Pete O'Farrell? I think you're taking loyalty too far.
O'Farrell is no more corrupt than you are.
You think that, you're gonna go down with him! Is that right, Max? I'm going down? For what? You guys got a trial coming up? The Boorman case? why don't you get to work? You think this doesn't play? If I were conducting an orchestra I'd say the violins were missing.
Oh, come on.
The congressman is the conductor.
The bankers call Congressman wilson.
They've been paying his bills since he got elected.
My guess- the contributions go way beyond federal campaign limits.
Now they want a payback.
"Fix this evidence, Congressman, or you're going down with us.
" One, the congressman's behind this.
Can't prove it.
Two- nothing concrete ties Chief O'Farrell or Cragen.
Just a minute.
Just a minute.
Three- the discs.
we have no idea who altered them.
Gowdy: We asked O'Farrell to conduct an investigation.
He took his own sweet time.
we have six detectives willing to testify that he went slow.
Slow, fast- I don't care if he was building a clock.
without physical evidence, the testimony's meaningless.
He's chief of operations.
Cragen, a career officer with an unblemished record.
we need a clear-cut motive.
You know how badly I want this case.
They tampered with evidence.
The bankers walked.
I can't move on supposition.
Easy - it's conspiracy.
The last time conspiracy was easy to prove, was Judas and the Romans.
Thank you, gentlemen.
we lose this one, after the bankers, we look like idiots.
IAD doesn't have enough.
O'Farrell survives this any cop who talks to us is finished.
As for Congressman wilson- He makes ABSCAM look like "Hello Dolly.
" Investigated for campaign fraud a dozen times.
Draw the pyramid, or you get no conviction.
Congressman wilson, Chief O'Farrell Captain Cragen.
Yank a piece out- pyramid falls, maybe.
we appreciate j your coming over, Mr.
Stone.
Anything to avoid embarrassing the congressman.
You're besmirching my reputation.
Oh, I think you're giving me a lot of help there, sir.
And what will a jury think? Chief O'Farrell owes you his job.
Those bankers gave you more than $100,000 in campaign contributions.
Do you know what that's called? The greatness of American politics? No, sir, it's called a "road map.
" And I think a jury can find its way from "A" to "B.
" If you're convicted, you lose your congressional seat.
And your pension.
If you resign first, then plead- Let's suppose- and we're only just supposing here- the congressman mentioned his constituent's problem to Chief O'Farrell? without suggesting anything be done.
we'll plead to rewarding official misconduct, second degree.
Consider bribery three.
You think I'd plead to a D felony? That's our offer.
Consider it rejected.
Paul.
Max Mike.
we ordered them to stay out of this.
It's on our days off.
It's our time.
I warned you.
Lieutenant Kennedy, sit down.
Department's time or yours, it's an IAD investigation.
If you call it investigating.
Max- I'm going to have you up on departmental charges, friend.
Back off, Kennedy! The only departmental charge here is gross incompetence.
Gentlemen, please.
Sit down.
Have you got anything specific? Cop named McCrory.
Retired.
who worked the property clerk's office, after he retired.
wrong.
we have the master roll call.
You know why cops hate IAD? Because you idiots couldn't convict a 10-year-old of selling watered-down lemonade.
McCrory's on the duty roster.
Logan: Which you forgot to copy.
Is that important? The master roll call is made up at headquarters.
It shows everybody that's supposed to be working.
McCrory's not on it.
Logan: The duty roster is a record or everybody who was there.
That's the one McCrory was on, two weeks after he retired.
And his house looks like it costs six times my salary.
Mortgage on McCrory's house is a point and a half below market.
Sounds like a good deal.
Robinette: Real estate agent says McCrory got a $300,000 house for 40C on the dollar.
Sounds like a better deal.
Previous owner, "Parker, Evelyn.
" Her maiden name.
Married to a congressman.
A congressman named wilson? That's not a good deal, that's a bribe.
Bailiff: Albert McCrory, Charges are: bribe receiving in the second degree; j conspiracy in the third degree; and tampering with physical evidence.
How does the defendant plead? Not guilty.
Peter O'Farrell and the Honorable William Wilson.
The charges are bribery in the second degree, j conspiracy in the third degree.
How do the defendants plead? Congressman wilson? Not guilty, Your Honor.
Chief O'Farrell? Not guilty.
Your Honor, as lead council, we ask the defendants be released ROR.
Mr.
Robinette? Your Honor, this is a case about obstruction of justice and public officials selling the benefit of their office.
The People feel bail is essential.
Your Honor, the District Attorney's record on white-collar criminal charges does not make one sanguine about their motives.
Interesting, Mr.
Quinn.
But I don't recall a section in the CPL on "prosecutorial motive.
" Bail is set at $50,000 each.
Taking a bribe, evidence-tampering.
we're not talking "hand in the cookie jar.
" Don't be foolish.
You were a pawn.
That house put you at the heart of this conspiracy.
Soft market.
I got a good deal.
Here's a better deal.
Four-to-15 years if you don't testify.
You think you can convict? where's the conspiracy? Your client worked the property clerk's office after he retired.
And a jury's gonna wonder why.
A jury needs a clear line from that to the tampered evidence.
You haven't got it.
when we do, we won't be making any deals.
You're taking this personally.
You bet I am.
You know it's almost impossible to get a conviction on a white-collar criminal with evidence.
what he did, it's worse than a crime.
If your client doesn't cooperate, I'm taking him down, too.
Criminal facilitation, he does no time.
In this case, everybody does time.
Bribe receiving, third degree.
He does 18 months.
He does zero months- after he's acquitted.
McCrory, he's not a computer expert.
Neither is Cragen.
well, how hard is it? Cragen could have done it in the precinct.
Yeah, that computer guy in Forensics says a 12-year-old could have changed those discs.
Robinette: Hold on- Shearer? The one who went to Bermuda? Yeah, what about him? why didn't he do the trial work before he went on his honeymoon? They got to him.
Offered him a bribe.
Are you crazy? Shearer was the one who told us how the discs were changed.
Right.
Ever hear about the art expert- forged a Matisse, a museum hires him to see if it's a forgery? Of course he says it's a Matisse.
He authenticates his own forgery.
Shearer takes the discs, changes them, tells IAD how it was done, looks like a hero.
Paul, find out what time Shearer's plane landed here- the exact hour.
And see if McCrory was at the property clerk's office at the same time.
Internal Affairs cleared Detective Shearer.
"Cleared"? IAD never suspected Detective Shearer.
when did he get back from the honeymoon, Paul? Plane lands, 2:45.
Doorman says Detective Shearer and his wife got home at 4:00.
He went upstairs, dropped his bags, left again To get the drycleaning.
After your honeymoon? That's very romantic.
Paul? According to the doorman, Detective Shearer was gone three hours.
Your drycleaner in Philadelphia? You're riding the wrong horse.
Do you knowwhat happens when someone pleads in the middle of a trial like Officer McCrory? I'll take a deal from anyone to get your client.
You know, Stone, you're wasting your talents.
You don't write indictments, you write fairy tales.
Let's get out of here.
You really think McCrory will make a deal? Not a prayer - but Shearer doesn't know that.
The tap in place? Let's see who he calls.
Is Cragen involved? I don't want to indict him if I'm not sure.
what if we feed him part of the picture- McCrory getting his house on the cheap.
See how he reacts.
And if he's in on the conspiracy, anything you say goes directly to O'Farrell.
Give away your case before you get to court.
It's a gamble.
So is a lottery.
Yeah? Thank you.
Cragen.
Like we told you, we have nothing for you.
You still want to be a sacrificial lamb? what do you want? Adam: We need O'Farrell.
If you're not part of this, wear a wire on the chief.
And no cop ever trusts me again.
No crooked cop ever trusts you again.
we're talking about a cop involved in evidence-tampering in a felony investigation.
That's a felony.
I don't want to indict you.
My God.
That house had been empty for 15, 16 months.
But the house wasn't on the market.
Do you knowwhy? These days? Some people don't even try.
when did it go on the market? well, out of the blue, one afternoon, she calls me - the congressman's wife, Mrs.
wilson, and she says, "Try to sell it.
" So, I put a sign in the yard and an ad in the county paper.
when did the defendant, Albert McCrory, make an offer on the house? well now, I don't remember exactly- two, three days later.
And did he say how he knew the house was available? He was driving by in his car, saw the sign.
what did you tell the congressman's wife when the offer was made? well, I am not like some agents.
I don't hold back offers.
But I said, "This is crazy.
He is offering you half of what it's worth.
" Stone: Did she agree with you? Well, she said, "Sell it.
" Very firm, didn't want any argument- "Just sell it.
" You reading the jury? They don't like people who buy houses at half-price.
Mr.
Stone! Last night's tape from the Shearer tap, you're gonna want to hear it.
They say you're gonna make a deal.
McCrory: I don't know you.
Goodbye.
Shearer:.
Don't leave me swinging in the wind.
McCrory: You're stupid.
Get off the damn phone.
Shearer:.
This was your idea.
Don't hang up on me, damn it! why did you do it? Needed money for the honeymoon? Behind on the credit cards? That tape proves nothing.
Stone: Sounds like a confession to me.
You're finished as a cop.
The only question is, do you want to work on computers or do you want to make license plates? Bribery receiving, third degree.
Full restitution.
we recommend probation.
I don't want to go to jail.
And when did Al McCrory approach you? Shearer:.
The day after I took the discs from the bank.
Did he offer you a bribe? He asked me what I wanted.
Some judge- I read in the paper- he fixed a case for 20 grand.
I figure I'm worth 20 grand, too.
He agreed.
when you returned from your honeymoon, what did you do? I got in a cab, went to the property clerk, called McCrory from a pay phone.
He came out in a couple minutes with the discs.
And then what did you do? I went to "Computer Heaven, " Used their display model, my own utility discs.
wiped a few tracks clean.
when you first brought the evidence to the property clerk, Officer McCrory wasn't working there, was he? No.
No one outside that office knew you were working on this case? No.
So how did Al McCrory find his way to you? I don't know.
Somebody must have told him, right? Objection.
withdrawn, no further questions.
Detective Shearer, j j in a conspiracy, people engage in illegal activity with other people.
So, let me ask you, have you ever met Peter O'Farrell? No, but Al McCrory used to drive- Yes or no, please.
Have you ever met Congressman william wilson? Shearer:.
No.
Never talked to either one of them on the phone, did you? No.
Thank you.
No further questions.
McCrory's going down, no question there.
The congressman? when the jury looks at the bankers' campaign contributions, they'll make the connection.
O'Farrell's still out of the game.
The jury hasn't seen him in a huddle, let alone calling a play.
But the chiefwas wilson's protege.
The jury can make that leap of faith.
I wouldn't.
And if I wouldn't, they won't.
O'Farrell's a better politician than I am.
If he wasn't a cop, he'd be president.
Indict Cragen.
You don't mean that? Don't I? As a Catholic, you know that sins of omission are just as bad as sins of commission.
He knows something.
I don't think so.
He looks guilty.
Shake the tree, see what falls out.
Come on! That's blackmail, Stone.
That's one word for it.
The grand jury calls it a "bill of indictment.
" He's been my friend for 20 years.
Suppose the chief is innocent.
Going the ceremony? wear a wire.
Prove us wrong.
Cheer up, you look like your dog died.
Hard to be cheerful when the DA's on your ass.
Hey, Larry, how you doing? Look at this - I can't even wear my uniform.
I'm indicted, I got to wear a suit.
DA says I'm next.
You? You didn't do anything.
Stone says McCrory's scared.
To buy a plea, he'll name me.
That's crap.
Stone's jerking you around.
McCrory's a good cop.
who took a payoff to do those discs.
It looks that way, doesn't it? whatever happened, Don, nobody touches you.
"whatever happened"? You mean this investigation going slow.
You? Me, I got nothing to worry about.
You do Billy wilson a favor? Don, you don't happen to be wearing a wire, do you? Come on.
why would I do that? I don't know.
But you know I'd never do anything to hurt you.
You did a favor for wilson? I understand.
Billy- I owe a lot, but not my career.
None of us walks on water.
The way I've been smelling lately we shouldn't even be talking.
I'll buy you dinner after the trial.
Okay, kid? You got it.
Does this mean I don't get indicted? Stone: You did your best.
I had to push you.
I had no choice.
It's not your fault he didn't say anything incriminating.
Tomorrow can you put the word out that you're gonna indict me? I'm gonna get O'Farrell for you.
wait a minute, he didn't say anything - I know what he said but I looked in his eyes.
So they indict you.
It's not the end of the world.
No, getting convicted - thatwould be the end of the world.
Yeah.
IAD cleaned out my office this morning but not everything.
Hey, they convict you, I go down, too.
So what didn't they get? Couple of memos- originals, no copies.
My detectives were complaining that your investigation of the erased discs was going a little too slow- on purpose.
They wanted to take it to IAD during the trial.
And you took those memos home? I guess I could burn 'em.
Even you? I always said you were straight.
well, I got one foot in bed with you already.
That was loyalty.
I'd like a little taste if I'm gonna put the other under the covers.
After all, I do have a swimming pool to pay for.
Yeah.
that computer cop.
We would have given him 200.
For these memos, you want a piece? All right- me and Billy wilson split 300 grand.
Three ways, that's Is that fair? Oh, that's more than fair.
Yeah.
My best cop.
I never would would have figured.
Ben Stone, please.
Tell him it's Don Cragen.
During this conversation, did the defendant, Peter O'Farrell, admit to accepting a bribe? Objection.
Hearsay.
Statement against interest, Your Honor.
Overruled.
witness will answer.
Chief O'Farrell told me that he and Congressman wilson received $300, 000 from the three bankers to destroy evidence.
And did Chief O'Farrell tell you he had offered a bribe to anyone? He said he told McCrory to pay Detective Shearer $20,000.
Did he offer you a bribe? $100,000 to destroy evidence.
Thank you.
No further questions.
No questions.
Concerning defendant Albert McCrory, on the charge of bribe receiving in the second degree, how does the jury find? Guilty.
On the charge of conspiracy in the third degree? Guilty.
On the charge of tampering with physical evidence? Guilty.
Concerning defendant william wilson, on the charge of bribery in the second degree, how does the jury find? Guilty.
On the charge of conspiracy in the third degree? Guilty.
Concerning defendant Peter O'Farrell, on the charge of bribery in the second degree, how does the jury find? Guilty.
On the charge of conspiracy in the third degree? Guilty.
Before this court adjourns, I want to note for the record, that I am appalled.
We often say that public officials are not above the law, but that's not enough.
They serve the law.
If they don't respect it, who will? Court is adjourned.
O'Farrell? Not a cop.
He was always a politician.
whatever you're feeling, don't.
The swimming pool, Max- you were wondering about it? Marge paid for it.
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups- the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
These are their stories.
Judge: On the first count of the indictment, criminal facilitation in the first degree, how does the jury find? Not guilty.
On the second count of the indictment, money laundering in the first degree, how does the jury find? Not guilty.
On the third count of the indictment, conspiracy in the fifth degree, how does the jury find? Not guilty.
Judge: Thank you.
Court is adjoumed.
Attorney: The arrest was insulting, the indictment was ludicrous, and the result was predictable.
The district attorney wanted to look tough on white-collar crime so they smeared three innocent men.
But they couldn't bamboozle a jury of 12 honest New Yorkers.
Reporter:.
Thank you.
Mr.
Stone? Yes? The defense says this was malicious prosecution.
If the law had allowed it I'd have indicted those defendants for murder.
Reporter #2: wall Street bankers for murder? Bankers who help drug dealers clean their money are as guilty as the drug dealers themselves.
Reporter #1: what about that missing evidence? I can't comment on the investigation.
I do know someone in the New York City Police Department altered evidence by erasing bank transactions on computer discs.
That is a felony, ladies and gentlemen.
There'll be indictments.
This case is not over- it's just beginning.
I don't remember, okay?! Page nine, first column on the bottom.
How long they been in there? About an hour.
Internal Affairs? Yeah.
what gives? These guys taking a run at the whole precinct? No, just me.
You gave the DA three dealers and their bankers on a silver platter.
Now they're after you? If I was Internal Affairs, I'd be looking at me, too.
O'Farrell is in charge of the property clerk's office.
we go back a long way.
He's given me every one of my promotions.
And he passes out captain's bars.
So the chief took care of you for 20 years.
So what? That means you two tampered with evidence? They got to go after somebody.
You're guilty by association because O'Farrell runs the evidence department? what did they say happened to the evidence? Manhattan Mercantile Bank.
Computer discs got erased.
All the illegal transactions just vanished.
IAD didn't tell me who, what, or why, but am I at the top of their list? Yeah.
How's your appointment book? It's the Boorman murder.
Getting ready for trial.
what? I'm in a corner, here.
It's an IAD case.
we'll see what we can find out.
Yeah.
whose collar was it? Cassidy and Manetti's.
DA loses a case, who gets the shaft? Cops.
I'm telling you, we did it by the book.
Ain't no best seller.
what happened? Around the clock stakeout.
Colombians.
Doing maybe a million a year.
Not big dealers.
Yeah, they live in tenements, right? One day, we get a break.
They take their money to Manhattan Mercantile.
Four briefcases- cash.
I want to bust in, get the dealers and the bankers.
Cragen says no.
"You got to wait for the money trail.
Prove they laundered it.
" They get some diode heads downtown, track the money by computer.
So when Stone goes to trial, the computer discs are erased.
Right- but only the incriminating files.
whoever did it knewwhat he was doing.
So to the jury, it looks like the evidence was never there.
what about the computer jock who traced the money? what's his name? An IAD case- you're turning over rocks here.
Turn over a rock you might find a rattlesnake.
The way the DA's screaming you'd think it was the first case they ever lost.
Every time's the first time.
what happened with these computer discs? The drug dealers- the Colombians, they leave the bank.
we wait three days then bust in.
I take two discs.
Shows the drug money was wired offshore.
Cayman Islands.
So you saw the files, the evidence was there.
I saw the files.
right on my computer screen.
You didn't make a printout? I'm leaving for my honeymoon.
Bermuda.
They say cancel.
I say, "Go to hell! Send the disc to the property clerk.
I'll do the trial work when I get back.
" when you get back, the discs are changed? You got it.
This captain, what's his name? Cragen? what's his story? You hear stuff, you know.
what do you hear? Everything I heard, I already told three times.
Don't you guys at IAD talk to each other? IAD? Real smooth, Sergeant.
IAD swears me in blood not to talk about this case.
You don't tell 'em, we don't tell 'em.
wow, this is freakin' amazing.
I don't know a computer disc from a slipped disc.
well, your name's getting tossed around.
It's the same song everywhere- people are saying O'Farrell's your rabbi.
He's in charge of the property clerk, so your detectives knew when evidence was there.
Then- what do you say? He's reporting, not accusing.
IAD tells you you're under investigation.
They mention why they think you'd help these three bankers? One thing they lean on over and over- they keep saying I talk to the chief every couple of days while this case is running.
what do we talk about? You talk to him lately? with IAD probably listening in on my phone line? No.
Doesn't mean we can't.
O'Farrell: So this young DA- I may be two years on the force- this DA- he's three weeks out of Harvard, mind you- he says to me, "Officer, can you tell me the difference between 'suspicion' and 'probable cause'?" So I look him in the eye, and I say, "Can you tell me what is in Section 129 of the penal law?" And he says, "I'll look it up.
" what is in Section 129? There is no Section 129.
There's a good cop.
Listen - we knowwe're out of our league here.
we really appreciate you talking to us.
That's all right.
why are they after you and Cragen? All right, you're Schiff.
You've got an election j coming up.
You've just blown the bankers' case.
what do you do? Go after some Irish cops.
But the evidence? Ethnic politics, it never dies.
Something did happen to it.
Don Cragen and me, now you just ask yourself does it make any sense for us to risk what we've got? My guess, some kid in the DA's office checked out the discs and he louses 'em up.
IAD is after cops.
If there is a cop involved in this, I will buy the whole department dinner.
At what this steak cost you'll have to take out a second mortgage.
Only if I'm wrong.
The Boorman case.
Pretty thorough, you guys.
well, we always check our evidence twice before we testify.
Right and my diet's working, too.
You were Cragen's partner? Forget it.
IAD's got a bullet with his name on it.
They're after a good cop.
we're all good cops.
Even the dirty ones.
IAD? those jerk shoo-flies- "Tweedledum" and "Tweedledumber" come in here and pop the file cabinets.
They copy every piece of paper.
Like? The sign-in logs.
Like who was here, when.
Mind if we take a look? Page 57, column three.
what? The week the evidence was messed with.
Lots of cops through here but your pal Cragen- He was here that week, twice.
Two days in a row.
Like he was taking something out and bringing it back.
Cragen: For the rest of my life I sign nothing.
I'm gonna burn my dry cleaning stubs.
So, you gentlemen would like to know why I was at the property clerk.
Joey Buscalera, sergeant from the fraud squad, you remember him? Yeah, he was with us- two months? Yeah.
I had him on a case.
Auto parts.
Chop shop? Buscalera was testifying on another case.
No time to do his evidence summary.
So I drove to the property clerk and did it for him.
Do a guy a favor and look what happens.
what, Max, what is it? Property clerk supervisor says you were- you were there two days in a row.
Now you drive back and forth two days in a row to help some detective on loan? when headquarters is on my tail? when they're shoving productivity reports down my throat? Yes, Max, I do.
Two days j in a row- that's a lot of favor.
Max- You know the procedure.
I did his evidence summary.
I brought it back here.
He signed it.
I took it back, logged it, and left a copy with the DA.
Joey, this evidence summary that Cragen helped you get ready- I like Cragen.
He did you a favor.
would I finger a cop? I don't cross the blue wall.
Nobody's j accusing you.
You know how it is.
You gotta testify in two trials.
You can't get downtown.
So you ask Cragen Not exactly.
Cragen asked if I'm ready.
I'm in a bind.
He volunteers to go to the property clerk, do my evidence summary.
whoa, he volunteers? He's a good cop.
Yeah, yeah, good cop.
Thanks, Joey.
what, am I talking Swahili? IAD's all over this case.
Come on, Mulvehill, you were here.
I thought you could tell me a little- Tonight, I go home at 6:00.
In the garage, a '65 Malibu, best Big Six they ever made.
when I'm finished with it, mint condition.
If IAD comes after me because I'm talking to you I will be fixing cars every day instead of nights and weekends.
Cragen's got in.
I don't know the man! Look- supposedly Cragen's the only cop in here two days in a row.
So you're saying if somebody fiddled with the evidence- Then it must be Cragen.
Yeah.
Or an inside job.
Or both.
You son of a bitch! You're ever in trouble, I sure as hell hope somebody treats you like this.
Hey.
All right.
Upstairs the men's room, five minutes.
Hendrickson? He's already divorced.
Lives in a hellhole one bedroom way down on Avenue C.
Avenue C? You could get killed in the crossfire on a good night.
with his alimony? He wishes he was dead.
Let's go.
You got a quarter? Just give it a whack.
Cragen volunteered, Buscalera didn't ask.
Maybe Cragen was just doing his job.
I got to keep saying this? I know he's not dirty.
Now I knowwhy IAD's going six ways through Sunday to prove that he is.
Because it looks like he wanted to be at the property clerk's office.
Maybe someone else did, too.
Look at this.
Property clerk's duty roster, headquarters master roll call.
Now the week the evidence was tampered with there were 28 cops and 13 civilians working there.
Any of 'em know Chief O'Farrell? Assuming it was O'Farrell's party.
Assuming.
You want me to dig up their service records? Forget reprimand from IAD, that'll rate a full-scale hearing.
Hey, wait a sec.
The master roll call and the duty roster ought to be identical.
But what's his name from the property clerk's gave you both.
There's gotta be a reason, right? Master roll call comes from headquarters at the beginning of the month.
Duty roster comes out every Tuesday.
If it's an inside job, when do they do it? when there's no traffic.
Give me the the names of everybody on the duty roster's third shifts.
Okay.
webster Um-hum.
Dumoze Um-hum.
McCrory Nope.
He's on the duty roster, but headquarters doesn't show him as working on the master roll call.
Heh! Headquarters says Officer Al McCrory retired two weeks earlier.
He was retired, but he worked two weeks later? Maybe he loved working at the property clerk.
Yeah, he loved it so much he couldn't leave.
Let's get an address.
Think he'll talk to us? Yeah, maybe he'll tell us how he affords this house.
Al McCrory? Yeah? Sergeant Greevey, Detective Logan.
Do I know you fellas? we ever work together? No, we just want to ask you, when you were gonna retire, you worked the property clerk's office an extra couple of days? what's this about? There's a discrepancy - it says you were retired but still working.
Some problem with my pension? Hey, wait a minute, you guys work for Cragen? Hey, what am I wearing a sign on my forehead that says stupid?! Your captain's in trouble don't come to me! wait a minute.
Hey, you touch me, I'll have you up for assault.
You better get out of my house, and out of my yard.
Now there's a guy with nothing to hide.
woman: Max! what a nice j surprise.
we never see you anymore.
How's Marie? How are the kids? Fine.
Everybody's good.
Good.
You're lucky, you don't have to drink his coffee today.
It's already made.
I've got an 8:00 flight, so give my best to Marie.
Sure.
Okay.
Thanks, honey.
Bye-bye.
Bye.
Just happen to be in the neighborhood? No.
You want to come in? Putting in a pool? Yeah.
Oh.
You know a cop named Al McCrory? Property clerk's duty roster says he worked the same days you were there.
Master roll call says he retired two weeks earlier.
Friend of yours? He used to drive for the chief a couple of years.
You know him? Just to say hello.
And you haven't seen him in years? That's right.
But you know him, O'Farrell knows him, and he worked after he retired.
You think you'll come in for a few days after you retire? So McCrory knows the chief.
That make him guilty? Any more than my being there makes me guilty? McCrory, we saw him.
He knewwho we were, somehow put our names together with yours.
Forget about him for a second.
what about Chief O'Farrell? You just don't like politicians, Max.
Never did.
Not when they're crooked.
And especially not when they try to bring my friends down with them.
I had nothing to do with it.
I'm sure Pete O'Farrell didn't either.
Oh, that's great.
Donnie, what are you doing? "See no evil, hear no evil"? How can you even think I would tamper with evidence?! I don't! But something isn't kosher! I don't knowwhat it is.
I sure as hell hope you don't either! You do me a favor, huh, Max? Forget I ever asked you to help me.
You better run yourself a little reality check.
The sharks are out and there's blood in the water.
The property clerk? It's off-limits to you.
Just keep out of this investigation.
what are you pulling "good cop-bad cop" on me like I'm some kind of a perp? For all I know, you are.
Listen to me, pal - No, you listen to me! You and Greevey keep your noses out of this! You talk to one more cop one more- don't think reprimand.
It's gonna be a hearing for a suspension.
It's better for you, really.
Stay away from the property clerk, the computer people, Buscalera, from the FEC, and from Chief O'Farrell.
Am I making myself clear? Listen, the IAD mentioned the FEC.
what's the deal? Federal Elections Commission.
what's that got to do with an IAD case? Oh no.
what? Billy wilson.
My congressman? You're 15 years too young to remember.
Before he was a congressman, wilson was a cop.
And? what have we been missing? Motive.
why would anybody help those bankers? I'm waiting, Max.
Chief O'Farrell was Billy wilson's hand-picked successor.
who would O'Farrell do a favor for? Give me some quarters.
This isn't a call I want to make inside the precinct.
The House Banking Committee.
Billy wilson's been there since he was elected.
Those three bankers that got off, they gave his campaign a lot of money- the legal limit - at least all that's on the books.
You give money to your congressman, it's automatically a payoff? Gee, I thought this was a democracy.
O'Farrell was your rabbi the same way that wilson was O'Farrell's.
You need a motive for him to tamper with evidence.
I think you got one.
I said, help me out.
Did I ask you to nail Pete O'Farrell? I think you're taking loyalty too far.
O'Farrell is no more corrupt than you are.
You think that, you're gonna go down with him! Is that right, Max? I'm going down? For what? You guys got a trial coming up? The Boorman case? why don't you get to work? You think this doesn't play? If I were conducting an orchestra I'd say the violins were missing.
Oh, come on.
The congressman is the conductor.
The bankers call Congressman wilson.
They've been paying his bills since he got elected.
My guess- the contributions go way beyond federal campaign limits.
Now they want a payback.
"Fix this evidence, Congressman, or you're going down with us.
" One, the congressman's behind this.
Can't prove it.
Two- nothing concrete ties Chief O'Farrell or Cragen.
Just a minute.
Just a minute.
Three- the discs.
we have no idea who altered them.
Gowdy: We asked O'Farrell to conduct an investigation.
He took his own sweet time.
we have six detectives willing to testify that he went slow.
Slow, fast- I don't care if he was building a clock.
without physical evidence, the testimony's meaningless.
He's chief of operations.
Cragen, a career officer with an unblemished record.
we need a clear-cut motive.
You know how badly I want this case.
They tampered with evidence.
The bankers walked.
I can't move on supposition.
Easy - it's conspiracy.
The last time conspiracy was easy to prove, was Judas and the Romans.
Thank you, gentlemen.
we lose this one, after the bankers, we look like idiots.
IAD doesn't have enough.
O'Farrell survives this any cop who talks to us is finished.
As for Congressman wilson- He makes ABSCAM look like "Hello Dolly.
" Investigated for campaign fraud a dozen times.
Draw the pyramid, or you get no conviction.
Congressman wilson, Chief O'Farrell Captain Cragen.
Yank a piece out- pyramid falls, maybe.
we appreciate j your coming over, Mr.
Stone.
Anything to avoid embarrassing the congressman.
You're besmirching my reputation.
Oh, I think you're giving me a lot of help there, sir.
And what will a jury think? Chief O'Farrell owes you his job.
Those bankers gave you more than $100,000 in campaign contributions.
Do you know what that's called? The greatness of American politics? No, sir, it's called a "road map.
" And I think a jury can find its way from "A" to "B.
" If you're convicted, you lose your congressional seat.
And your pension.
If you resign first, then plead- Let's suppose- and we're only just supposing here- the congressman mentioned his constituent's problem to Chief O'Farrell? without suggesting anything be done.
we'll plead to rewarding official misconduct, second degree.
Consider bribery three.
You think I'd plead to a D felony? That's our offer.
Consider it rejected.
Paul.
Max Mike.
we ordered them to stay out of this.
It's on our days off.
It's our time.
I warned you.
Lieutenant Kennedy, sit down.
Department's time or yours, it's an IAD investigation.
If you call it investigating.
Max- I'm going to have you up on departmental charges, friend.
Back off, Kennedy! The only departmental charge here is gross incompetence.
Gentlemen, please.
Sit down.
Have you got anything specific? Cop named McCrory.
Retired.
who worked the property clerk's office, after he retired.
wrong.
we have the master roll call.
You know why cops hate IAD? Because you idiots couldn't convict a 10-year-old of selling watered-down lemonade.
McCrory's on the duty roster.
Logan: Which you forgot to copy.
Is that important? The master roll call is made up at headquarters.
It shows everybody that's supposed to be working.
McCrory's not on it.
Logan: The duty roster is a record or everybody who was there.
That's the one McCrory was on, two weeks after he retired.
And his house looks like it costs six times my salary.
Mortgage on McCrory's house is a point and a half below market.
Sounds like a good deal.
Robinette: Real estate agent says McCrory got a $300,000 house for 40C on the dollar.
Sounds like a better deal.
Previous owner, "Parker, Evelyn.
" Her maiden name.
Married to a congressman.
A congressman named wilson? That's not a good deal, that's a bribe.
Bailiff: Albert McCrory, Charges are: bribe receiving in the second degree; j conspiracy in the third degree; and tampering with physical evidence.
How does the defendant plead? Not guilty.
Peter O'Farrell and the Honorable William Wilson.
The charges are bribery in the second degree, j conspiracy in the third degree.
How do the defendants plead? Congressman wilson? Not guilty, Your Honor.
Chief O'Farrell? Not guilty.
Your Honor, as lead council, we ask the defendants be released ROR.
Mr.
Robinette? Your Honor, this is a case about obstruction of justice and public officials selling the benefit of their office.
The People feel bail is essential.
Your Honor, the District Attorney's record on white-collar criminal charges does not make one sanguine about their motives.
Interesting, Mr.
Quinn.
But I don't recall a section in the CPL on "prosecutorial motive.
" Bail is set at $50,000 each.
Taking a bribe, evidence-tampering.
we're not talking "hand in the cookie jar.
" Don't be foolish.
You were a pawn.
That house put you at the heart of this conspiracy.
Soft market.
I got a good deal.
Here's a better deal.
Four-to-15 years if you don't testify.
You think you can convict? where's the conspiracy? Your client worked the property clerk's office after he retired.
And a jury's gonna wonder why.
A jury needs a clear line from that to the tampered evidence.
You haven't got it.
when we do, we won't be making any deals.
You're taking this personally.
You bet I am.
You know it's almost impossible to get a conviction on a white-collar criminal with evidence.
what he did, it's worse than a crime.
If your client doesn't cooperate, I'm taking him down, too.
Criminal facilitation, he does no time.
In this case, everybody does time.
Bribe receiving, third degree.
He does 18 months.
He does zero months- after he's acquitted.
McCrory, he's not a computer expert.
Neither is Cragen.
well, how hard is it? Cragen could have done it in the precinct.
Yeah, that computer guy in Forensics says a 12-year-old could have changed those discs.
Robinette: Hold on- Shearer? The one who went to Bermuda? Yeah, what about him? why didn't he do the trial work before he went on his honeymoon? They got to him.
Offered him a bribe.
Are you crazy? Shearer was the one who told us how the discs were changed.
Right.
Ever hear about the art expert- forged a Matisse, a museum hires him to see if it's a forgery? Of course he says it's a Matisse.
He authenticates his own forgery.
Shearer takes the discs, changes them, tells IAD how it was done, looks like a hero.
Paul, find out what time Shearer's plane landed here- the exact hour.
And see if McCrory was at the property clerk's office at the same time.
Internal Affairs cleared Detective Shearer.
"Cleared"? IAD never suspected Detective Shearer.
when did he get back from the honeymoon, Paul? Plane lands, 2:45.
Doorman says Detective Shearer and his wife got home at 4:00.
He went upstairs, dropped his bags, left again To get the drycleaning.
After your honeymoon? That's very romantic.
Paul? According to the doorman, Detective Shearer was gone three hours.
Your drycleaner in Philadelphia? You're riding the wrong horse.
Do you knowwhat happens when someone pleads in the middle of a trial like Officer McCrory? I'll take a deal from anyone to get your client.
You know, Stone, you're wasting your talents.
You don't write indictments, you write fairy tales.
Let's get out of here.
You really think McCrory will make a deal? Not a prayer - but Shearer doesn't know that.
The tap in place? Let's see who he calls.
Is Cragen involved? I don't want to indict him if I'm not sure.
what if we feed him part of the picture- McCrory getting his house on the cheap.
See how he reacts.
And if he's in on the conspiracy, anything you say goes directly to O'Farrell.
Give away your case before you get to court.
It's a gamble.
So is a lottery.
Yeah? Thank you.
Cragen.
Like we told you, we have nothing for you.
You still want to be a sacrificial lamb? what do you want? Adam: We need O'Farrell.
If you're not part of this, wear a wire on the chief.
And no cop ever trusts me again.
No crooked cop ever trusts you again.
we're talking about a cop involved in evidence-tampering in a felony investigation.
That's a felony.
I don't want to indict you.
My God.
That house had been empty for 15, 16 months.
But the house wasn't on the market.
Do you knowwhy? These days? Some people don't even try.
when did it go on the market? well, out of the blue, one afternoon, she calls me - the congressman's wife, Mrs.
wilson, and she says, "Try to sell it.
" So, I put a sign in the yard and an ad in the county paper.
when did the defendant, Albert McCrory, make an offer on the house? well now, I don't remember exactly- two, three days later.
And did he say how he knew the house was available? He was driving by in his car, saw the sign.
what did you tell the congressman's wife when the offer was made? well, I am not like some agents.
I don't hold back offers.
But I said, "This is crazy.
He is offering you half of what it's worth.
" Stone: Did she agree with you? Well, she said, "Sell it.
" Very firm, didn't want any argument- "Just sell it.
" You reading the jury? They don't like people who buy houses at half-price.
Mr.
Stone! Last night's tape from the Shearer tap, you're gonna want to hear it.
They say you're gonna make a deal.
McCrory: I don't know you.
Goodbye.
Shearer:.
Don't leave me swinging in the wind.
McCrory: You're stupid.
Get off the damn phone.
Shearer:.
This was your idea.
Don't hang up on me, damn it! why did you do it? Needed money for the honeymoon? Behind on the credit cards? That tape proves nothing.
Stone: Sounds like a confession to me.
You're finished as a cop.
The only question is, do you want to work on computers or do you want to make license plates? Bribery receiving, third degree.
Full restitution.
we recommend probation.
I don't want to go to jail.
And when did Al McCrory approach you? Shearer:.
The day after I took the discs from the bank.
Did he offer you a bribe? He asked me what I wanted.
Some judge- I read in the paper- he fixed a case for 20 grand.
I figure I'm worth 20 grand, too.
He agreed.
when you returned from your honeymoon, what did you do? I got in a cab, went to the property clerk, called McCrory from a pay phone.
He came out in a couple minutes with the discs.
And then what did you do? I went to "Computer Heaven, " Used their display model, my own utility discs.
wiped a few tracks clean.
when you first brought the evidence to the property clerk, Officer McCrory wasn't working there, was he? No.
No one outside that office knew you were working on this case? No.
So how did Al McCrory find his way to you? I don't know.
Somebody must have told him, right? Objection.
withdrawn, no further questions.
Detective Shearer, j j in a conspiracy, people engage in illegal activity with other people.
So, let me ask you, have you ever met Peter O'Farrell? No, but Al McCrory used to drive- Yes or no, please.
Have you ever met Congressman william wilson? Shearer:.
No.
Never talked to either one of them on the phone, did you? No.
Thank you.
No further questions.
McCrory's going down, no question there.
The congressman? when the jury looks at the bankers' campaign contributions, they'll make the connection.
O'Farrell's still out of the game.
The jury hasn't seen him in a huddle, let alone calling a play.
But the chiefwas wilson's protege.
The jury can make that leap of faith.
I wouldn't.
And if I wouldn't, they won't.
O'Farrell's a better politician than I am.
If he wasn't a cop, he'd be president.
Indict Cragen.
You don't mean that? Don't I? As a Catholic, you know that sins of omission are just as bad as sins of commission.
He knows something.
I don't think so.
He looks guilty.
Shake the tree, see what falls out.
Come on! That's blackmail, Stone.
That's one word for it.
The grand jury calls it a "bill of indictment.
" He's been my friend for 20 years.
Suppose the chief is innocent.
Going the ceremony? wear a wire.
Prove us wrong.
Cheer up, you look like your dog died.
Hard to be cheerful when the DA's on your ass.
Hey, Larry, how you doing? Look at this - I can't even wear my uniform.
I'm indicted, I got to wear a suit.
DA says I'm next.
You? You didn't do anything.
Stone says McCrory's scared.
To buy a plea, he'll name me.
That's crap.
Stone's jerking you around.
McCrory's a good cop.
who took a payoff to do those discs.
It looks that way, doesn't it? whatever happened, Don, nobody touches you.
"whatever happened"? You mean this investigation going slow.
You? Me, I got nothing to worry about.
You do Billy wilson a favor? Don, you don't happen to be wearing a wire, do you? Come on.
why would I do that? I don't know.
But you know I'd never do anything to hurt you.
You did a favor for wilson? I understand.
Billy- I owe a lot, but not my career.
None of us walks on water.
The way I've been smelling lately we shouldn't even be talking.
I'll buy you dinner after the trial.
Okay, kid? You got it.
Does this mean I don't get indicted? Stone: You did your best.
I had to push you.
I had no choice.
It's not your fault he didn't say anything incriminating.
Tomorrow can you put the word out that you're gonna indict me? I'm gonna get O'Farrell for you.
wait a minute, he didn't say anything - I know what he said but I looked in his eyes.
So they indict you.
It's not the end of the world.
No, getting convicted - thatwould be the end of the world.
Yeah.
IAD cleaned out my office this morning but not everything.
Hey, they convict you, I go down, too.
So what didn't they get? Couple of memos- originals, no copies.
My detectives were complaining that your investigation of the erased discs was going a little too slow- on purpose.
They wanted to take it to IAD during the trial.
And you took those memos home? I guess I could burn 'em.
Even you? I always said you were straight.
well, I got one foot in bed with you already.
That was loyalty.
I'd like a little taste if I'm gonna put the other under the covers.
After all, I do have a swimming pool to pay for.
Yeah.
that computer cop.
We would have given him 200.
For these memos, you want a piece? All right- me and Billy wilson split 300 grand.
Three ways, that's Is that fair? Oh, that's more than fair.
Yeah.
My best cop.
I never would would have figured.
Ben Stone, please.
Tell him it's Don Cragen.
During this conversation, did the defendant, Peter O'Farrell, admit to accepting a bribe? Objection.
Hearsay.
Statement against interest, Your Honor.
Overruled.
witness will answer.
Chief O'Farrell told me that he and Congressman wilson received $300, 000 from the three bankers to destroy evidence.
And did Chief O'Farrell tell you he had offered a bribe to anyone? He said he told McCrory to pay Detective Shearer $20,000.
Did he offer you a bribe? $100,000 to destroy evidence.
Thank you.
No further questions.
No questions.
Concerning defendant Albert McCrory, on the charge of bribe receiving in the second degree, how does the jury find? Guilty.
On the charge of conspiracy in the third degree? Guilty.
On the charge of tampering with physical evidence? Guilty.
Concerning defendant william wilson, on the charge of bribery in the second degree, how does the jury find? Guilty.
On the charge of conspiracy in the third degree? Guilty.
Concerning defendant Peter O'Farrell, on the charge of bribery in the second degree, how does the jury find? Guilty.
On the charge of conspiracy in the third degree? Guilty.
Before this court adjourns, I want to note for the record, that I am appalled.
We often say that public officials are not above the law, but that's not enough.
They serve the law.
If they don't respect it, who will? Court is adjourned.
O'Farrell? Not a cop.
He was always a politician.
whatever you're feeling, don't.
The swimming pool, Max- you were wondering about it? Marge paid for it.