Bribery, Extortion Case Opens Against Former Philadelphia Police Inspector

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The prosecution has opened its bribery and extortion case against a former Philadelphia Police Inspector. The defendant is charged with conspiring in a series of extortion schemes.

Prosecutor Leo Tsao has told the jury former Inspector Daniel Castro allegedly tried to collect a $90,000 debt from a bad investment using a strong arm collector who was actually an undercover FBI agent.

Castro also allegedly took a bribe to do a favor for anther FBI informant.

"This case is all about a police officer who crossed the line and became a criminal. This case is all about a police officer who committed the crimes of extortionand bribery all because of his own sense of entitlement and greed," said Tsao.

But defense attorney Brian McMonigal says the bribery charge is a lie and as for the extortion charges, McMonigle says Inspector Castro was entrapped, a despicable example of entrapment.

Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio