WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Bailey Settles Suit as Serpico prepares to testify (New Haven-WTNH) _ Connecticut's chief state's attorney has decided to settle a gag-order lawsuit. Inspector Gregory Dillon won a $2.7 million verdict last November, after jurors found that John Bailey violated Dillon's first amendment rights by telling him he was not allowed to talk with anyone about his allegations of FBI wrongdoing. The settlement comes as Frank Serpico, perhaps the country's most famous police whistle blower, was all set to testify in the case. News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports. 20 years ago Frank Serpico tried to expose police corruption in New York, but his pleas went ignored. That's changed, and now when he talks, people listen. The former NYPD whistleblower was supposed to testify against John Bailey's policy to restrict officers from talking to the media but didn't get the chance. The chief state's attorney, who was not in court today, decided to cut his losses and settle. Judy: "What would you say to all the department. heads out there?" Frank Serpico: "To get smart and avoid situations such as this they went through at the cost to taxpayers and do the right thing and listen to their men." Inspector Gregory Dillon gets $1.5 million - half of the original award, but still a pricey sum. Last November Jurors agreed with Dillon that the inspector was improperly punished for trying to speak-out against FBI agents lying on affidavits. Dillon says this case will make it easier for whistleblowers to come forward. Insp. Gregory Dillon, Plaintiff: "I would still advise they go through their chain of command. but if they feel they are not getting the proper response, then they should explore other options." Karen Torre, Dillon's Attorney: "To the extent that Mr. Bailey interpreted the media policy as allowing him to gag officers who wish to discuss corruption, he can't to that. This settlement means Bailey would not have to face more blistering attacks of his media policy. Jim Bergenn, Bailey's Attorney: "The chief state's attorney looks forward to continuing to enforce the law, and to honor the first amendment, and to ensure confidentiality for pending investigations." This hearing could've resulted in the court ordering changes to the media policy which a federal judge had already ruled unconstitutional. Instead, Bailey is promising to review it and make changes so that the media policy is more first amendment friendly without jeopardizing ongoing criminal investigations. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Bailey Settles Suit as Serpico prepares to testify
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Connecticut's chief state's attorney has decided to settle a gag-order lawsuit. Inspector Gregory Dillon won a $2.7 million verdict last November, after jurors found that John Bailey violated Dillon's first amendment rights by telling him he was not allowed to talk with anyone about his allegations of FBI wrongdoing. The settlement comes as Frank Serpico, perhaps the country's most famous police whistle blower, was all set to testify in the case.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.

20 years ago Frank Serpico tried to expose police corruption in New York, but his pleas went ignored. That's changed, and now when he talks, people listen.

The former NYPD whistleblower was supposed to testify against John Bailey's policy to restrict officers from talking to the media but didn't get the chance. The chief state's attorney, who was not in court today, decided to cut his losses and settle.

Judy: "What would you say to all the department. heads out there?"
Frank Serpico: "To get smart and avoid situations such as this they went through at the cost to taxpayers and do the right thing and listen to their men."

Inspector Gregory Dillon gets $1.5 million - half of the original award, but still a pricey sum. Last November Jurors agreed with Dillon that the inspector was improperly punished for trying to speak-out against FBI agents lying on affidavits. Dillon says this case will make it easier for whistleblowers to come forward.

Insp. Gregory Dillon, Plaintiff: "I would still advise they go through their chain of command. but if they feel they are not getting the proper response, then they should explore other options."

Karen Torre, Dillon's Attorney: "To the extent that Mr. Bailey interpreted the media policy as allowing him to gag officers who wish to discuss corruption, he can't to that.

This settlement means Bailey would not have to face more blistering attacks of his media policy.

Jim Bergenn, Bailey's Attorney: "The chief state's attorney looks forward to continuing to enforce the law, and to honor the first amendment, and to ensure confidentiality for pending investigations."

This hearing could've resulted in the court ordering changes to the media policy which a federal judge had already ruled unconstitutional. Instead, Bailey is promising to review it and make changes so that the media policy is more first amendment friendly without jeopardizing ongoing criminal investigations.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.