I don't get this story. I don't understand why Officer Dina Hoffman testified 11 times that she found Zaliev in the front driver's seat, and charged him with DUI, when this man did absolutely nothing wrong.
The implications of this story are mind-boggling. Who else did Officer Hoffman lie about? Who might be in jail now, wrongfully, because of her testimony?
And, the most mind-boggling part of this story — as the investigation into Hoffman's actions continues...she continues to work.
A Montgomery County Police officer faces a perjury investigation after she testified in April that she found a man arrested for driving under the influence behind the wheel of a parked car. A recording from a security camera showed he was in the back seat, lying down, with his feet out the open passenger side door when she approached him.
"We are aware of the allegation and will be conducting an investigation," Montgomery County Police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said Wednesday.
The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office referred the case to the Howard County State's Attorney's Office because county prosecutors might be questioned, said Seth Zucker, a spokesman for the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office.
George Zaliev, 56, of Rockville, was arrested about 7:30 p.m. May 3, 2008, for DUI at the parking lot of Sarkissian Interiors at 8537 Atlas Drive in Gaithersburg. A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit.
At his Montgomery County District Court trial, Officer II Dina Hoffman testified 11 times that she found Zaliev in the front driver's seat. She said shook him awake and he was not cooperative in doing field sobriety tests.
Zaliev's attorney, Paul E. Mack of Columbia, used a laptop computer to show a video from a security camera at Sarkissian that recorded the arrest.
The security tape, reviewed by The Gazette, shows Hoffman arrived and immediately walked up to Zaliev lying in the back seat.
A message left for Hoffman was not returned immediately. A three-year veteran, she continues to work while the allegation is investigated.
More at Gazette.net »
Disgusting. Does anyone have the police report? I'm sure that excuse about the case being old will fall apart as soon as we find that it has an identical description of the event.
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ReplyDeleteMaryland Gangs should also check into Officer Tonya Whitenton accidentally tasing a member of MCFR while both were on duty. She was playing with her taser and dropped him to the cement.
ReplyDeletethis is sad if the womwn cops in moco have the balls to lie 11 times in court i wonder what kinds of lies are being told in court by the male cops. why is it that cops think that they can tell little white lies that destory peoples lives.... she gets to go home and rest in her bed while this man sits in a cell. wow every word i write i get more pist. this woman desivers to never work as a cop again.
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