By Larry Celona and Andy Geller
The New York Post
NEW YORK — A former deputy police inspector booted from the department amid sensational allegations of robbing a drug dealer has seen his luck change — netting $1 million in a lottery scratch-off game.
The once-embattled former cop, Dennis Sindone, 49, of Suffern won the Extravaganza windfall Aug. 20. He elected to receive his money in 20 annual installments of $50,000 each, less 30 percent in taxes.
“It’s poetic justice,” Sindone told The Post last night.
In September 2002, Sindone was booted from the NYPD after being convicted at a departmental trial of robbing a drug dealer of $60,000 in 1996.
Six months earlier, Sindone was acquitted on similar charges in federal court. He denies robbing the dealer.
Sindone said he is seeking a new departmental trial with an independent arbitrator.
“I want to fight to get my pension and my reputation back,” Sindone said. “I did a lot of good things while I was a cop, and I want that back.”
Copyright 2007 The New York Post