Federal grand jury begins Contra Costa cops probe

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Source: San Francisco Chronicle

(06-23) 16:46 PDT Walnut Creek -- On the same day a former San Ramon police officer pleaded not guilty to charges that he allegedly stole cash and drugs connected to criminal investigations, attorneys for the officer's co-defendants said a federal grand jury had convened to investigate police corruption.

Louis Lombardi, 38, of Discovery Bay, was arraigned inside a Walnut Creek courtroom Thursday along with his co-defendants in a 38-count complaint that alleges the four men - three police officers and a private investigator - conspired to commit a range of crimes. The charges include stealing drugs from evidence lockers, embezzling cash, possessing illegal assault weapons and accepting a bribe to set up a man for a drunken driving arrest.

One of the defendants, private eye Christopher Butler, 49, also told investigators that he and co-defendant Norman Wielsch, 50, a former state Department of Justice agent who led an antinarcotics task force, operated a Pleasant Hill massage parlor that fronted as a brothel. Wielsch's attorney has denied Butler's claim, and the men have not faced charges connected to the allegation.

It was the first time all four defendants appeared in court together since a June 3 announcement by Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson that his office would turn over the complex investigation to federal authorities.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/23/BA831K1QRF.DTL