NYPD Union Boss Gets 2 Years for Union Heist

Former president of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), Edward Mullins, is heading to prison for two years. The feds sentenced Mullins after he admitted to systematically looting hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union representing nearly 13,000 NYPD sergeants. Mullins used the SBA as his personal ATM, racking up expenses on luxury meals and personal items then disguising them as legitimate union business.

The scheme, which ran from 2017 to 2021, involved Mullins submitting bogus expense reports. He’d charge personal spending – high-end restaurants, pricey goods – to his credit card and then falsely claim those charges were for official SBA events or expenditures. He routinely inflated costs and even re-categorized personal purchases, like clothing and groceries, as union-related meals. The money came directly from the annual dues paid by the very sergeants Mullins swore to protect.

Federal prosecutors detailed how Mullins funneled the stolen funds through the SBA’s “Contingent Fund,” a reserve meant for legitimate union expenses. Instead, it became a slush fund for his lavish lifestyle. The total take? At least $600,000. Mullins pleaded guilty in January 2023 before U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl, acknowledging his betrayal of the members who trusted him to manage their funds responsibly.

The two-year sentence isn’t just about the money. It’s about the abuse of power and the damage done to the reputation of law enforcement. Mullins, while leading a union dedicated to representing the NYPD’s finest, was himself a criminal. This case underscores the fact that even those in positions of authority aren’t immune to prosecution when they break the law.

Beyond the prison term, Mullins is ordered to pay $600,000 in restitution to the SBA, returning the stolen funds to the union’s members. He’ll also spend three years under supervised release after he gets out. The feds also seized $600,000 in funds related to the scheme.

The FBI, working with the NYPD Public Corruption Task Force, built the case against Mullins. The investigation serves as a stark reminder that corruption, no matter how high up it reaches, will be investigated and prosecuted. The collaborative effort between federal and local authorities highlights the commitment to rooting out misconduct within the NYPD and restoring public trust. Mullins’ actions were a disgrace to the badge, and this sentence, while not enough for some, sends a message: stealing from those who serve and protect will have consequences.