U.S. District Judge Leonard Wexler’s remarks before sentencing

I would like to make a remark concerning statements made by the defendants that this is not as serious as some of the other crimes committed. I find this is the most serious of all the crimes committed. It did not affect one person. It did not take one day or one week.

It was stretched over three years. It affected a whole police department. I feel Mr. Burke was acting as a dictator. How do dictator's operate?

If you are good to them, they are good to you, all these people, and I believe them, I believe every letter that was sent on his behalf. He did something good for them. But he also did bad if you were not on his side. That's corruption. He corrupted a system, not on one act, but for three years.