What to Know
- A New York City police officer has admitted that he lied when he falsely claimed a suspect tried to strike him and his partner with a car
- Officer Michael Bergmann, 34, pleaded guilty on Thursday to perjury, making a false statement and official misconduct
- Bergmann had been with the force for approximately six years. He is expected to get up to six months in jail
A New York City police officer has admitted that he lied when he falsely claimed a suspect tried to strike him and his partner with a vehicle.
Officer Michael Bergmann, 34, pleaded guilty on Thursday to perjury, making a false statement and official misconduct. Information on his lawyer wasn't immediately available.
Prosecutors say Bergmann was on patrol in an unmarked car in February when he pulled up to a burglary suspect who had just parked near 65th Street between Second and Third Avenues in Brooklyn.
Bergmann and his partner got out of their vehicle with the intention of arresting the suspect for driving without a valid license, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The officer claimed the suspect nearly struck him and his partner as he drove off. The suspect was arrested two days later on charges of attempted assault.
On May 28, Brooklyn prosecutors obtained a surveillance video which showed the two officers were nowhere near the vehicle. Bergman was not in front of the suspect’s car, didn't move away or fell as he had claimed.
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Bergmann had been with the force for approximately six years. He is expected to get up to six months in jail and five years' probation when he's sentenced Jan. 8.
