by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 9 – The Manhattan DA on August 9 announced the guilty plea and sentencing -- to no mail time -- of NYPD Inspector HOWARD REDMOND, 58, for obstructing a New York City Department of Investigation probe into former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s use of his security detail by repeatedly impeding investigators and tampering with evidence.
Inner City Press was there, thread:
Judge: This matter is on for arraignment...
ADA: The felony complaint has an appendix A. Judge: Incorporated in by reference... Now, an SCI plea. Do you waive the right to a felony hearing?
Redmond: Yes. Judge: Review the documents [Redmond leans over them
Judge: Good afternoon Mr. Redmond. This is a Superior Court information, same impact as if it were presented to a grand jury. 2 counts of tampering with physical evidence, official misconduct...Do you have up your right to be indicted by a grand jury?
Redmond: Yes Judge: Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty? Redmond: Yes. Judge: Drugs or alcohol at the moment? Redmond: No.
Judge: You are giving up the right to a jury trial, do you understand? Redmond: Yes Judge: Is this your signature on the waiver of appeal? Redmond: Yes. Judge: You are also waiving your right to discovery, do you understand?
Redmond: Yes Your Honor. Judge: I will condition you to a conditional discharge. Judge: You will have a felony conviction on your record, and face mandatory jail time upon another conviction, as a predicate felon, do you understand? Redmond: Yes Your Honor. Judge: I have a four page plea agreement, with appendixes. Have you signed it? A: Yes.
ADA: One of the conditions is that he prove he is terminated from the NYPD. This has been satisfied, on July 24, 2023, signed by the Police Commissioner. Judge: Let's turn to the factual admission. I have a statement of facts. Have you read it? Redmond: Yes.
ADA: He signed Appendix A. Judge: Let's turn to the apology, to the NYC Dept of Investigation. Redmond: I apologize for not taking their investigation seriously. Judge: ADA, are you satisfied? ADA: Yes. Judge: 10 days or 70 hours of community service. A: Yes.
Judge: Do you admit that when a cell phone was about to be produced in an official proceeding, did you suppress it by destruction? Redmond: Yes. Judge: And did you, on a cell phone issued to you by NYPD, suppress it? Redmond: Yes.
Judge: Do you admit that on July 29, 2021 in Manhattan did you refrain from performing a duty inherent in your office? Redmond: Yes your Honor. Judge: The plea is accepted. Both sides waive pre sentence report. ADA: He will leave as a convicted felon
ADA: This sends a message no one is above the law. He served for 30 years, chief of the Mayor's security detail. He made over 400 arrests. I interviewed witnesses who believed he was untouchable, as an Inspector. His plea disabuses law enforcement of that
ADA: He was fired. He deleted message from his City-issued devices. He waived his rights and all accrued time and balances. He forfeited a quarter of a million dollars. & he apologized today. He said his attitude toward DOI was not specific to him, many shared it
ADA: He will perform 10 days on community service in Manhattan, like other non-violent felons. So conditional discharge is appropriate. RIchmond's lawyer: He was dismissed, the ultimate humiliation for a police officer. Now he's unemployed.
Judge: Mr. Redmond, anything more to say? Redmond: No Your Honor. Judge: Three year conditional discharge. You must lead a law abiding life and give DNA upstairs- ADA: Can we approach briefly? [Whispered sidebar among lawyers - Redmond remains standing at podium
Judge: After that sidebar, I modify the sentence, a technical modification... Time served on five counts, as reflected in the plea agreement. The other is on the 215.40 sub 2 count. We are concluded.
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