Ex-Suffolk cop eyed in gambling operation

The former Suffolk police officer who was charged Thursday as part of a federal mob sweep is already the subject of a state prosecution involving an illegal gambling operation.

Federal officials say Robert Dito, a 29-year department veteran who resigned last month, is accused of tipping off an associate about an impending police raid of a gambling operation in August 2009. Dito, a former Emergency Service officer who already faces two felonies in Suffolk on similar allegations, surrendered to FBI agents in Melville Thursday.

Besides the alleged tip off phone call in the federal indictment, the state indictment filed in October says Dito improperly used a state computer to assist the same gambling operation. In exchange for the information, the state says that Dito got discounted car repairs between August 2009 and last February.

Suffolk officials and his attorney say the Ronkonkoma repair shop, where he got the repairs, Rob's Pro Tow, was owned by Robert Spatafora. Spatafora was indicted in May on federal charges that include illegal gambling and threatening a witness.

Dito's lawyer, Thomas Spreer of Babylon, said the state and federal charges stem from Dito's relationship with Spatafora.

Dito's federal charges include conspiracy to operate illegal gambling businesses and conspiracy to obstruct enforcement. The state charges are computer trespass and official misconduct.

In the May indictment, authorities charge that Spatafora, now in federal custody, threatened to kill his girlfriend because he believed she was helping federal agents connect him to a 2003 murder at the shop.

Spreer said Dito was friendly with Spatafora, who repaired his family car at the shop. He said Dito had no knowledge of Spatafora's alleged criminal activity, other than gambling.

Dito pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in federal court in Central Islip and was released on $500,000 bond. Calls to Spatafora's attorney, William Wexler, were not returned.

With Sophia Chang