Former Police Officer Gets 2 1/2 Years For Insurance Fraud
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A former Philadelphia police officer, assigned to the elite Highway Patrol, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his part in an insurance fraud conspiracy.
Drexel Reid, 39, admitted filing false police reports as part of the scheme, which cost insurance companies nearly half a million dollars.
His father, Drexel Reid Senior, a policeman for 40 years, said he warned his son about dealing with wreck chasers, "I told him Drex, when you go into the police department in the highway, make sure you don't get involved in this sort of thing, because I have seen too many good cops get hurt. Well, he didn't take my advice and he got hurt."
Drexel Reid Senior broke down on the witness stand, said his son had hurt his reputation and he was angry, but he asked for mercy for his son, who he says is a good person.
The defendant apologized to his family and the police department.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060
