Federal probe of NYPD officers reveals 'unabashedly racist' texts

Federal probe of NYPD officers reveals 'unabashedly racist' texts
A federal corruption probe of two current and one retired New York Police Department (NYPD) officers revealed that the retired officer repeatedly sent “unabashedly racist” text messages.

Prosecutors announced Tuesday that a court unsealed an indictment charging NYPD officers Heather Busch and Robert Hassett and former NYPD officer Robert Smith with five counts of using interstate facilities to commit bribery and two counts of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act. Smith, who retired from the NYPD in March 2020, was also charged with attempting to transport at least one kilogram of heroin and possessing a firearm during the commission of that crime.

In a letter arguing Smith should be detained pending trial, prosecutors alleged he participated other criminal conduct he wasn’t charged for.