Young man in cop scandal has court date

The Bellmore man at the center of a scandal that last week led to the indictment of three high-ranking Nassau police officials will return to court March 16, when his case will either go to trial or be "disposed of," a Nassau judge said Thursday.

According to prosecutors, Zachary Parker, 20, received special treatment from police because his father was a major financial benefactor to Nassau police.

Parker is charged with stealing about $11,000 worth of audiovisual equipment from John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore in May 2009 when he was a senior there.

Parker's lawyer, Marc Gann of Mineola, would not say what he expects will happen in court on March 16. "I think this whole circumstance is completely blown out of proportion," he said.

Parker left court without comment.

Prosecutors have said three former police commanders, William Flanagan, second deputy commissioner; John Hunter, deputy chief of patrol; and Alan Sharpe, former deputy commander of the Seventh Precinct Squad, conspired to prevent charges against Parker because Parker's father, Gary Parker, is a major donor to a police foundation.

Lawyers for the three commanders have denied any wrongdoing.

Police did not arrest Parker. Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice convened a grand jury last year to investigate the case, and Parker was indicted, lawyers have said.

Gann said the three commanders did not do anything inappropriate for either Zachary or Gary Parker.

"Is there a connection in the sense that he [Gary Parker] asked a friend if there was a way to resolve the case civilly? Sure. But that happens every day," Gann said.

There are 2011 marijuana possession charges pending against Parker. There is also a pending 2011 case from Florida related to his alleged possession of prescription drugs he did not have a prescription for, while on a cruise ship, according to police documents and the Broward County district attorney's office.