Man in cop scandal pleads guilty over drugs

A Merrick man at the center of a scandal that resulted in misconduct charges against three former Nassau police commanders pleaded guilty Monday to outstanding drug charges, his attorney said.

Zachary Parker's attorney, Marc Gann of Mineola, said if his client successfully completes a drug-treatment program in the next 18 months, a judge is likely to wipe the felony and misdemeanor drug possession charges off his record. Parker, 20, also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving charges, which remain on his record, Gann said.

Prosecutors declined to comment on the case.

"I hope he will complete this program, and go on with his life," said Gann. "I hope this entire circumstance will be a bad dream that will have ended."

The drug charges are unrelated to the case that led to the indictments of the former police officials. In that case, prosecutors said Parker stole about $11,000 in video equipment from John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore in May 2009. Parker pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property charges, both felonies, and was sentenced last month to 5 years of probation. Judge John Kase granted Parker youthful offender status and suspended his driver's license while he's on probation.

The Nassau district attorney said Parker's father, Gary Parker, a police department benefactor, asked police officials to drop the investigation involving his son.

William Flanagan, second deputy commissioner; John Hunter, deputy chief of patrol; and Alan Sharpe, commander of the Seventh Precinct Squad, all face misconduct and conspiracy charges after prosecutors said they tried to halt the burglary investigation. All three have pleaded not guilty and have retired.