July 17, 2003
A police sergeant under federal investigation for allegedly leaking classified documents involving national security was arrested and suspended yesterday after being charged with drunken driving, police said.
Law enforcement sources said Sgt. Joseph Galasso was found behind the wheel of a blue 1996 Volvo at 5:30 a.m. on the front lawn of a house on 206th Street in Bayside. The keys were in the ignition, the motor running, sources said.
Galasso was in custody pending arraignment, the sources said.
Galasso was transferred from the Joint Terrorist Task Force after allegedly sending sensitive Department of Homeland Security documents known as "terrorist bullets" to WB11 in March. His commanding officer of the task force was also transferred. The station never ran a story and cooperated with investigators, law enforcement sources said.
The alleged leak occurred during the war with Iraq and supposedly cited the names of some upscale Manhattan restaurants as potential terrorist targets.
The case is being investigated by the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office. Galasso was transferred to the Fleet Services Unit. Andrew Quinn, an attorney who represents Galasso, declined to comment.
©2003 Newsday, Inc.Reprinted with permission.