Former Philly cop guilty of tipping off dealer kin
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A former Philadelphia police officer has been convicted of obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI when he tipped off his half brother about a heroin-trafficking investigation.
Fifty-two-year-old Rafael Cordero worked for the city’s Criminal Intelligence Unit before losing his job after he was charged last year with telling his half brother, David Garcia, about a surveillance camera aimed at a garage used by drug gangs. Garcia is scheduled for sentencing next month for heroin trafficking.
Cordero was acquitted of one obstruction charge relating to $20,000 in drug money he allegedly helped his brother hide.
Defense attorney Jack McMahon argued that money was savings from Social Security and the proceeds of the sale of a gold chain that Cordero planned to buy a house.
Prosecutors say Cordero faces about 10 years in prison.