LI Police Sued Over K-9 Bite By Beating Target Of James Burke

RIDGE, NY — An attorney says a Suffolk police dog took a chunk out of Christopher Loeb's leg in an attack that used excessive force because he was targeted for his involvement in a scandal that brought down Suffolk's highest levels of law enforcement.

The exposure of Loeb's 2012 in-custody beating by Chief of Department James Burke, not only led to the top uniformed police officer's downfall, but that of his mentor, District Attorney Thomas Spota, and deputy, Christopher McPartland.

Loeb was the focal point of the criminal case, centering around his beating by Burke while tied to the floor at a precinct station house. Loeb had broken into Burke's vehicle and it was packed with a gun belt, ammunition, sex toys, and porn, according to reports.

The aftermath sent Burke, Spota, and McPartland to federal prison.

Loeb later received a $1.5 million settlement from Suffolk in 2018.

But in another lawsuit filed in federal court last month, Loeb's attorney says he was again beaten by police who used a K-9 Unit named "Brick" to attack him in March 2019, claiming they used excessive force and it was because of his previous involvement exposing corruption in the department.

His attorney, Christopher Cassar of Huntington told Patch that a police handler was brought in who had a police dog brutally attack Loeb in the leg.

"He's got permanent injuries as a result of that brutal attack by the dog," Cassar said, adding that "a big chunk of flesh was taken, ripped off from him."

Loeb now has "issues with walking" because a ligament is damaged, according to Cassar.

Cassar would only say Loeb is a Suffolk resident, but declined specifying where exactly.

The lawsuit claims Loeb "suffered substantial pain and injury" and that the attack included superior officers who allowed it to be orchestrated, stating that the department has a practice of allowing "unconstitutional conduct."

The lawsuit is seeking over $150,000 in damages, according to court documents.

Loeb's recent lawsuit stems from a March 22, 2019 arrest after Loeb was caught driving a Jeep that struck a sign on a lawn at a home in Ridge, police said at the time.

Police said Loeb intentionally struck a marked patrol vehicle with an officer inside, and then bolted, to a dead-end street where he drove on several lawns, and struck the patrol car again, before taking off.

A pursuit was started, but then called off over safety concerns, so officers followed and watched Loeb closely as he drove recklessly before he went on the Long Island Expressway, speeding, before he got off in Islandia, police said.

Loeb parked the Jeep at a gas station and then took off on foot, and was found by K-9 Unit in woods nearby, police said, adding that he was taken to a hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, as was the officer whose patrol car was struck.

Loeb, who was living in Mount Sinai at the time, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, second-degree reckless endangerment, unlawfully fleeing a police officer, driving while ability impaired by drugs, as well as multiple vehicle and traffic infractions.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman told Patch the department "does not comment on pending litigation."

Suffolk Policeman's Benevolent Association President Noel DiGerolamo told Patch that he could not specifically comment on the pending litigation, but he did have this to offer:

"It would not be the first time that Mr. Loeb has made false allegations against members of the Suffolk County Police Department," he said. "I think that his extensive arrest record should speak for itself."

Patch has reached out after hours to Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney's office for comment due to the fact that officer misconduct has been alleged. The office has not responded.

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Lisa Finn and Jacqueline Sweet contributed additional reporting to this story.