White East Haven Cop Faces Two Years in Jail for False Police Reports, Attacking Prisoners in Conspiracy to Violate Civil Rights of Latinos

In early 2012, when four local policemen were arrested by the FBI accused of being "bullies with badges," East Haven Mayor Maturo, a white man, said, "I don't believe these charges at all," and "I stand by these officers."The day of the arrests, when asked by a reporter what he was planning to do for the Latino community that night, he replied, "I might have tacos when I go home." [MORE] In photo, a New Haven-based immigrant advocacy group, Reform Immigration for America, delivered hundreds of tacos to the office of Mayor.

From [HERE] The government is seeking a two-year prison sentence for former police Officer Jason Zullo, saying he acted in a “criminal, racist and unethical manner” and violated civil rights, while his attorney is asking the “court do justice” with his sentence.

He was accused of bashing a prisoner's head against a cellblock wall among other civil rights offenses was released from custody Thursday after posting bond. Zullo was charged with participating in the conspiracy to violate civil rights and for using excessive force, mainly against Latino members of the East Haven community over the past five years.  Zullo is a white man (in photo -right)

According to the federal indictment, Zullo assaulted a suspect inside the East Haven police department, allegedly striking the man's head against a wall. He then assaulted the suspect a second time inside a station cellblock, the indictment alleges, among other acts.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 18, 2008, he struck a motorcycle carrying two individuals with his police car at least twice during a chase.  The motorcycle subsequently crashed and the two victims were thrown to the ground.  On October 22, 2008, Zullo prepared and filed a police report that omitted the fact that he struck the motorcycle during the chase.  Although ZULLO contends that he unintentionally collided with the motorcycle, he admitted today that he omitted facts and in his police report of the incident in order to obstruct any potential investigation of criminal excessive force. [MORE]

Zullo retired from the police department after pleading guilty to one count of obstruction of justice in October. Zullo’s guilty plea was entered as part of an agreement with the government. The agreement stipulated the prosecution could not argue for a sentence of more than 24 months, while Zullo could not argue for a sentence of less than 12 months.

In a memorandum filed with the court Thursday, Zullo’s attorney, Norm Pattis, noted that while he cannot argue for less than 12 months, the court will determine the sentence and is not bound by the agreement. Zullo will be sentenced in federal court in Hartford Tuesday.

Zullo admitted in court as part of the plea agreement that he purposely left out of a police report the fact that his cruiser had repeatedly hit a motorcycle he was chasing.

Zullo was one of four town officers arrested in the investigation by the federal government. Sgt. John Miller has pleaded guilty to one count of depriving a citizen of his civil rights by using excessive force.

Pattis wrote in his filing that Zullo and Miller have not pleaded guilty to charges regarding the violation of the civil rights of Hispanic residents.