The State - News from April 16, 1989

Charges that police in East Palo Alto took money and drugs from suspects they arrested illegally are being investigated by the FBI. The probe was begun in mid-February at the request of San Mateo County authorities, according to U.S. Atty. Joseph Russoniello. He declined to say how many officers are being investigated. “What we’re concerned about is an atmosphere where police think their conduct will be approved tacitly, if not openly, because the targets are so reprehensible,” Russoniello said. “Allowing that to develop just undermines the entire administration of justice.