Admits To Driving Police Vehicle Drunk
Previously stripped of his badge, a former NYPD detective must also participate in an alternative sentencing program after pleading guilty to driving drunk and accidentally shooting his partner in Queens earlier this year, law enforcement sources said.
Jay Poggi, 57, a 30-year NYPD veteran previously assigned to the 75th Precinct Detective Squad, entered a conditional guilty plea last Friday, Oct. 3, in Queens Criminal Court to charges of third-degree assault and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Poggi admitted to being getting behind the wheel of an unmarked police vehicle while inebriated and drove with his former partner, Det. Matthew Sullivan, from a Howard Beach restaurant back to the Brooklyn precinct.
While en route, prosecutors said, Poggi showed Sullivan his handgun, which accidentally went off and injured his partner in the wrist.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown noted Poggi must complete a 12-week alcohol treatment program, install an ignition interlock device on any vehicles registered to him and pay a $500. His driver’s license was also suspended.
Poggi must also participate in a Victim Impact Panel, in which persons whose lives were impacted by a drunk driver’s actions confront first-time DWI offenders to help set them straight.
“Queens has a strict and very successful alternative sentencing program that emphasizes treatment and supervision of DUI offenders in order to prevent recurrences of unacceptable conduct,” Brown said in a statement last Friday. “However, if [Poggi], who is a first-time offender, fails to comply with all the requirements imposed by the court, then we will seek more severe sanctions.”
After accidentally shooting his partner, police said, Poggi drove him to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for treatment. Officers from the 102nd Precinct arrived there to question the detective as part of their investigation.
In doing so, authorities said, the officers reportedly observed Poggi exhibiting signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
The officers then administered a field sobriety test, which revealed Poggi’s blood alcohol level was 0.118, well above the 0.08 legal limit. The detective refused to take a Breathalyzer exam after being brought to the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills for the test.
Members of the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau Group 34, supervised by Deputy Inspector David Zimmer, conducted the investigation under the overall supervision of Deputy Commissioner for Internal Affairs Joseph Resnick.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton formally terminated Poggi from the department on May 23 based on the investigation and the recommendation of the Office of the NYPD Trial Commissioner.
Assistant District Attorney James M. Liander, chief of the DA’s Integrity Bureau, prosecuted the case under the supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Peter A. Crusco and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Linda M. Cantoni.
