The allegations against New York State Police narcotics investigator Michael O. Flaherty for obstructing justice and lying to federal authorities cast a pall over the agency. With support from New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams of the Southern District of New York released a four-count lawsuit that exposed the alleged wrongdoing.
The Department of Justice announced that O’Flaherty was charged with attempting to evade an ongoing law enforcement investigation by protecting a former confidential informant who was connected to a network that was distributing tens of thousands of fentanyl pills linked to overdose deaths in Dutchess County. Williams criticized O’Flaherty’s behavior, “O Flaherty allegedly abused his position as a sworn member of law enforcement by tipping off the fentanyl pill dealer about a covert narcotics investigation and encouraging the dealer to destroy evidence.” Williams said that such betrayals jeopardize the safety of both the public and other cops.
O Flaherty’s covert association with a known drug trafficker—who, ironically, had previously been a NYSP confidential informant—was discovered during the investigation. According to the Department of Justice, O Flaherty is accused of abandoning not just law enforcement colleagues but also the basic creed to serve and protect by hiding important connections with this informant-turned-suspect. Superintendent James reiterated this statement, which states that trust is the fundamental tenet upon which public safety is built. James reaffirmed, “The State Police will continue to work cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District regarding this criminal case,” demonstrating his expectation of honesty among the officers.
O Flaherty, 42, of Poughkeepsie, faces a maximum sentence of five years on each count of making a false statement and up to 20 years for each count of impeding an official procedure. These congressionally imposed maximums, however, are only recommendations; a judge’s judgment ultimately determines O Flaherty’s fate. Mr. Williams, who is accustomed to receiving praise, thanked the Special Agents in his office and the New York State Police’s Professional Standards Bureau for their diligent efforts on the case. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey C. Coffman and Qais Ghafary.
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