The NYPD inspector who oversaw former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s security detail pleaded guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon to six charges related to his attempts to obstruct an investigation into de Blasio’s alleged misuse of the detail.
Howard Redmond was charged with two counts of tampering with physical evidence, two counts of second-degree obstructing governmental administration and two counts of official misconduct. The first crime is a class E felony, while the other two are misdemeanors.
Assistant District Attorney Samantha Dworkin said in court that the conviction would remind New York City’s public officials that “no one is above the law.”
Redmond admitted to deleting text messages and refusing to cooperate with investigators looking into allegations that de Blasio wrongfully deployed his NYPD security detail for private uses, as well as on trips for his failed presidential campaign.
Redmond, who wore a dark suit and blue tie with close-cropped brown hair, walked into court around 2:15 p.m. with his attorney, Louis La Pietra. As he waited for the judge to appear, Redmond sat quietly in the pews and occasionally closed his eyes. He then walked to the stand, raised his right hand, stated his name and promised not to lie.
After La Pietra told the judge that his client planned to plead guilty, she asked a series of questions, to which Redmond repeatedly answered “yes, your honor,” in a quiet monotone.
“Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” Justice Laurie Peterson asked.
“Yes, your honor,” Redmond answered.
The NYPD did not provide any comment but confirmed that Redmond had been “dismissed.” Prosecutors said in court that he was terminated in late July as a condition of his plea deal.
The plea agreement also requires Redmond to perform 10 days — or 70 hours — of community service and to apologize for his actions, which he did in a brief, sentence-long statement in court. He also agreed to waive the time off…
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