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David S. Finnerty, 47, of Rutland, was indicted Thursday, Aug. 31, on two counts of filing a false report, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each offense, per sentencing guidelines.
Investigators said an officer only identified as D.B. physically assaulted a man without justification at the Ashmont MBTA Station just before 2 a.m. on July 27, 2018. Prosecutors allege that he falsified a police report and lied to his duty commander to cover up the truth of the altercation.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said his office would "bring to justice anyone who violates their oath by trying to cover up civil rights violations."
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Division Jodi Cohen said Finnerty "betrayed the trust" of the public and harmed the image of police officers everywhere.
"We believe Sgt. Finnerty not only failed to lead by example, but betrayed the trust placed in him by his fellow officers, and the public,” said Cohen said in a news release. “Make no mistake, the FBI will do everything we can to help our law enforcement partners bring to justice anyone who violates their oath by trying to cover up civil rights violations, overshadowing the majority of officers who are dedicated, honest, and fully committed to enforcing our laws and building trust within their communities.”
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