Ex-NYPD union boss delays fraud sentence with cushy re-entry class
Former head of the NYPD Sergeants Union, Ed Mullins, has been able to postpone his potential prison sentence for wire fraud by more than two months to complete a pre-sentencing class. The class is run by the nonprofit organization, Focus Forward Project, and helps criminal defendants prepare for life in lockup and re-entry into society. Mullins faces up to 20 years behind bars for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in union dues from the Sergeants Benevolent Association. Manhattan federal prosecutors asked for a delay of one week because one of their agents was on vacation, after Mullins requested a sentencing date in the last week of July. Judge John Koeltl eventually re-scheduled the sentencing for August 3, according to court documents.
As he awaits his fate, Mullins has been collecting a $125,283 pension from the police pension fund. The former cop got his pension after retiring in November 2021, and will continue to collect despite the federal conviction, according to the NYC Police Pension Fund. Mullins pleaded guilty in January and agreed not to appeal if the judge handed down a prison sentence of 41 months or less. He also agreed to pay back the $600,000 he admitted to embezzling. Prosecutors alleged that he used the member dues to pay for hundreds of personal high-end meals as well as clothing, jewelry, and home appliances, and even a relative’s college education.
Mullins’ attorney, Thomas Kenniff, stated that his client wanted to complete the Focus Forward Project class to show his compliance at sentencing. Kenniff also noted that both sides had asked separately for postponements. Despite the seriousness of his misconduct, Kenniff said that Mullins had “earned through over four decades of honorable service with the NYPD” his retirement benefits.
FAQs
Q: What is Ed Mullins accused of?
A: Ed Mullins is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in union dues from the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
Q: What is the Focus Forward Project class?
A: The Focus Forward Project class is run by a non-profit organization and helps criminal defendants prepare for life in lockup and re-entry into society.
Q: Why was Ed Mullins able to postpone his potential prison sentence?
A: Manhattan federal prosecutors asked for a delay of one week because one of their agents was on vacation, after Mullins requested a sentencing date in the last week of July. Judge John Koeltl eventually re-scheduled the sentencing for August 3, according to court documents.
Q: Is Ed Mullins still collecting his pension?
A: Yes, Ed Mullins has been collecting a $125,283 pension from the police pension fund despite the federal conviction, according to the NYC Police Pension Fund.
Q: Will Ed Mullins go to prison?
A: Ed Mullins faces up to 20 years behind bars for his crimes. However, the judge has not yet handed down a sentence.
Ex-leader of NYPD union postpones fraud sentence with comfortable re-entry program
The former head of the NYPD sergeants union, Ed Mullins, has avoided a potential prison term for wire fraud by over two months while receiving a six-figure city pension, according to The New York Post. Mullins, who faces the possibility of up to 20 years in prison for stealing funds from the Sergeants Benevolent Association, delayed his sentence to complete a 12-week course run by the Focus Forward Project, which prepares criminal defendants for incarceration and re-entry into society. Mullins, who retired in 2021 and received a $125,283 pension from the police pension fund, pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud last year. As part of a plea deal, he agreed not to appeal if the judge handed down a prison sentence of 41 months or less and to pay back the SBA the approximately $600,000 he admitted to embezzling.