'Shocking' video shows cops grabbing cash during raid

David Edwards
Raw Story
Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009

The New York City Police Department has launched an internal probe to investigate a raid on a Staten Island bar. In a video posted on YouTube, police officers wearing jackets decorated with the NYPD logo can be seen smashing gambling machines at the "Beer Goggles" bar and putting confiscated cash into their pockets.

"A shocking video showing NYPD cops raiding a bar, smashing gambling machines and shoving confiscated cash into their pockets has become an Internet hit and led to an internal probe of the officers involved," The New York Post reports.

Criminal Justice editor Murray Weiss continues, "No official determination has been made as to whether cops were simply doing their jobs during the Nov. 14, 2007, raid on Beer Goggles, a troubled bar on Staten Island, or if they had more sinister motives. But they told superiors things were done according to procedure."

According to the paper, "The raiders reported confiscating approximately $700 and arrested three workers for promoting gambling."

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An NBC News blog adds, "The surveillance tape popped up on YouTube under the headline 'NYPD corruption at its best.' The video was first screened at a separate departmental trial for Sgt. William Lewis. Many of the police actions were led by Lewis, a 24-year veteran."

"The Internal Affairs Bureau investigated Lewis for five months before suspending him and leveling corruption charges in March," the blog continues. "Several cops from the raiding party testified against him. No decision has yet been reached."

In the video clip below New York Post highlights relevant portions of the original video, broadcast Feb. 2, 2009.