Indictment: Conspiracy played out for months

An indictment made public Thursday lays out detailed allegations that three officials with the Nassau County Police Department conspired to derail burglary and larceny charges against the son of a man who prosecutors said is a police donor.

The indictment identified the officials as John Hunter, deputy chief of patrol; William Flanagan, detective sergeant, later promoted to second police deputy commissioner; and Alan Sharpe, detective sergeant, deputy commander of the Seventh Precinct Detective Squad.

Attorneys for the three men, who have since left the department, asserted their clients' innocence Thursday after the arraignments.

The indictment did not identify the civilians, whom lawyers in the case identified as Zachary Parker, now 20, and his father, Gary Parker.

Here's the timeline. All dates cited are "on or about" in the indictment:

July 29, 2008

Hunter is "instrumental" in getting the son a job as a civilian employee of the department's ambulance unit.

May 19, 2009

An administrator at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore reports the theft of the equipment, names the suspect and demands an arrest.

May 20, 2009

The commanding officer of the Seventh Precinct detective squad informed the police Internal Affairs Unit that a civilian employee of the department is a suspect in the felony theft.

May 21, 2009

An unindicted co-conspirator meets with a school administrator, who "would not consider the withdrawal of criminal charges against the target."

May 21, 2009

Hunter, not in the direct chain of command of the detective squad, informs the squad commanding officer that the theft investigation should be handled by the squad and not Internal Affairs.

May 21, 2009

A friend of Zachary Parker takes some of the stolen equipment to police.

May 22, 2009

Sharpe, the detective in charge of the theft investigation, "at the behest of Hunter," meets with Gary Parker.

May 23, 2009

Hunter meets with Gary Parker in a diner to discuss the theft.

May 26, 2009

Hunter exchanges emails with Gary Parker about the situation. Parker says the school district "was still looking at the options." Hunter tells Parker to let him know if he can help with anything.

May 30, 2009

Hunter initiates an email exchange with Gary Parker offering his help. Parker requests that Hunter get Sharpe and the police to "lay low" on the criminal investigation.

June 12, 2009

Hunter tells the father when and where the stolen equipment should be returned, and says he is making arrangements for the return. The father gives Hunter the name of a school administrator who will accept the stolen property.

June 15, 2009

Hunter emails Sharpe to return the stolen property as arranged by Gary Parker.

June 16, 2009

Sharpe orders a squad detective to return the property, but the school administrator refuses to sign a withdrawal of prosecution form and Sharpe tells the detective to bring the property back to the precinct.

June 16, 2009

Hunter emails Gary Parker that the items are being returned to the school today. Later in the day, Hunter learns from the father that the property was not returned.

June 17, 2009

Hunter emails Gary Parker and instructs him to tell the school what is required before the equipment can be returned.

June 17, 2009

Gary Parker emails Hunter that "lawyers are trying to work out a settlement that will not involve the PD. The school wants this to quietly go away." Parker tells Hunter that the school and its lawyer have not contacted the district attorney.

June 18, 2009

Hunter emails Gary Parker and offers to talk to Zachary Parker's attorney.

June 18, 2009

Gary Parker approaches Flanagan to ask for his assistance in getting the stolen property returned to the school. Flanagan tells Parker he will look into it and not to worry about it.

June 23, 2009

Hunter and Gary Parker exchange emails about the case.

June 23, 2009

Flanagan emails Gary Parker that Flanagan "put the pieces in motion" to have the property returned.

June 26, 2009

Gary Parker emails Flanagan to ask he be informed when the property is returned. Flanagan says he will.

July 2, 2009

Gary Parker emails Flanagan asking for an update. Flanagan responds "no news."

July 14, 2009

Gary Parker tells Flanagan the property should be dropped off with the school principal "as soon as possible." Flanagan says he "got it."

July 16, 2009

Flanagan responds to a Gary Parker email about his son's "case with JFK High School." Flanagan responds that he has "no doubt about the resolution."

July 22, 2009

Flanagan informs Gary Parker that he "spoke to someone in the loop" the previous day and the property would be returned.

Aug. 3, 2009

Flanagan emails Gary Parker that he "touched base this morning with the squad supervisor" and "[e]verything is on track, just a timing thing getting the material in the hands of the owner."

Aug. 10, 2009

Flanagan calls the squad and asks about the status of the property.

Aug. 10, 2009

Sharpe emails an unindicted co-conspirator and directs that person to return the stolen property to the person who reported the theft to police.

Aug. 17, 2009

Flanagan responds to an email from Gary Parker who said he "wanted this over." Flanagan emails Parker that the detective who will return the property is on vacation, and that the "detective has a personal relationship with the principal, that's why he was given the task." Flanagan said he had "stayed in contact" with the squad supervisor and that the supervisor was "aware of the importance" of having the property returned. Flanagan tells Parker "it'll happen."

Sept. 1, 2009

An unindicted co-conspirator is ordered by Sharpe to return the property to the person who reported the theft. The school official accepted the property but refused to sign the form agreeing to withdraw charges.

Sept. 9, 2009

Flanagan emails Gary Parker that "delivery" of the property was made the week before. Parker replies: "THANK YOU!!!!!" Flanagan replies: 'de nada family."

Sept. 10, 2009

Flanagan accepted gift cards from the target's parents and emails that the gift was "[o]ver the top."

Sept. 19, 2010

Sharpe and an unindicted co-conspirator approve and enter into the department's computer system a closeout memo that falsely claims that the school administrator, on behalf the district, did not wish to proceed with criminal charges.