New York detective might be fired for not attending trial related to corruption probe

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A New York community affairs detective did not attend his departmental trial on internal charges for failing to cooperate with an ongoing NYPD corruption investigation.

New York City Police Department Detective Michael Milici will likely be fired for failing to attend the trial, which was scheduled for last Friday, but he has already filed his retirement papers.

Milici was one of the first officers to be placed on modified duty in April after declining to testify before a federal grand jury looking into allegations of possible corruption. He is 27-year veteran who served in Brooklyn's 66 Precinct. He is expected to retain his pension after retiring.

This is all part of the Justice Department's investigation into police corruption in South Brooklyn, where officers are suspected of providing favors and other considerations to local businessmen in exchange for gifts, trips and cash.

The investigation was touched off with the bribery arrest of Brooklyn businessman Shaya Lichtenstein, who allegedly made thousands of dollars brokering gun permits through his connections in the NYPD's licensing division.

Milici is charged departmentally with failing to cooperate with an ongoing investigation. The most severe internal penalty he faces is the loss of his job, but since he has already put in his retirement papers, that likely isn't his concern.

Milici submitted the papers on April 26, prior to the NYPD suspending him. That suspension can last up to 30 days, and by filing departmental charges, if he continues to seek retirement, he will not be able to retire in good order. That could affect his future career choices, if he opts to continue in law enforcement.