BOSTON DETECTIVE ARRESTED ON GAMBLING RELATED CHARGES

27 June 2008

Allegations that police detective abused his official powers to commit extortion


Boston police detective David Annis (33) was in a world of trouble this week as he faced indictment on charges of online sportsbetting, exacerbated by the alleged abuse of his official powers to dig up dirt on his bookie in order to persuade him to clear his $5 000 tab.

It is alleged that Annis gambled illegally, and that he subsequently used his official position to obtain criminal record information in order to intimidate the bookmaker, thus committing extortion.

“We allege that David Annis violated the trust and authority bestowed on him as a police officer to commit these crimes,” Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a statement to the Boston Globe newspaper. Leone went on to thank the police for their cooperation in discovering the alleged crime and reporting it to his office.

Authorities told the Globe that Annis began an unsuccessful gambling spree last August, betting online through the bookmaker. In September, the bookmaker asked to meet Annis to collect the money he was owed. During the meeting, Annis allegedly showed the bookmaker his official badge and the criminal records and said he might be “investigating gambling cases.” He said the bookmaker wouldn't be arrested if “things could go smoothly.”

“If these allegations prove to be true, Officer Annis will have betrayed his oath of office and his badge,” Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee told the newspaper. “Public trust is critical to the law enforcement mission.”

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