Arrest 4 TEAs For Improper Tickets;

Union: Don't Prejudge:
Arrest 4 TEAs For Improper Tickets


The union representing city Traffic Enforcement Agents defended its four members who were arrested and charged Aug. 7 with issuing false tickets to motorists in Manhattan.

JAMES HUNTLEY: Protests members' innocence. James Huntley, president of Communications Workers of America Local 1182, asserted that the charges were "based on a questionable investigation by the Police Department's Internal Affairs."

Allege 46 Bogus Tickets

The TEAs - Davey Griffen, Raheem King, Julian Fisher, and Gregory Baird - allegedly issued 46 false parking tickets and targeted out-of-state vehicles, according to Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau.

Mr. Huntley pointed out that the agents were not involved in kickbacks or in taking bribes. "It should be made clear that until the alleged charges were proven, these traffic enforcement officers are innocent and this union will stand by our members," he said in a statement.

The authorities contend that the TEAs never left their patrol cars and jotted down license plate numbers, usually at the beginning of their tour. The tickets were issued much later on their handheld parking summons devices, investigators said.

The investigation into the agents began after motorists complained about the tickets. In June, investigators parked cars in the region that was being patrolled by the agents.

They concluded that the agents generated tickets for vehicles that they never observed at all. In addition, they never placed the summonses on any car windshields, according the Manhattan DA's Office.

The agents targeted out-of-state vehicles, officials said, because those drivers were less likely to protest the ticket, and it enabled them to circumvent specific checks under the computerized system.

Mssrs. Griffin, King and Baird have been charged with various felony counts of forgery, falsifying business records, and official misconduct. If convicted of the most serious offense, they face up to seven years in prison.

TEA Fisher was charged with a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct, which carries a penalty of one year in prison.