Posted on 07/28/2005 10:09:41 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
LOS ANGELES (AP) The longtime boyfriend of a Burbank city councilwoman has been charged with weapons and drug violations in connection with a notorious street gang.
Scott Schaffer, companion of Burbank Councilwoman Stacey Jo Murphy, was charged Wednesday and is being held on suspicion of trading guns to a gang member for cocaine. Schaffer's attorney said his client would plead not guilty at his arraignment Monday.
Schaffer was arrested July 13 after authorities found a gun registered in his name at the home of a San Fernando Valley gang member. Authorities said Schaffer traded two guns for cocaine.
Court papers filed by prosecutors state that Schaffer told authorities he stored firearms at Murphy's home where police found a small quantity of cocaine, three loaded handguns and 900 rounds of ammunition.
The councilwoman was arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession and child endangerment and was released on bail.
Murphy told authorities that she knew Schaffer was addicted to cocaine and possessed firearms, court papers showed.
Roger Rosen, Schaffer's attorney, said his client's statements to law enforcement officials were taken out of context in the court filings.
He said Schaffer had had a problem with alcohol and had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and undergoing therapy since November. Rosen said he would not comment on the drug allegations.
A task force has been targeting the gang that is suspected of widespread narcotics and firearms trafficking. Seventeen people have been charged in a federal indictment, including one who is awaiting trial in connection with the November 2003 fatal shooting of rookie Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka, 26.
She's a Dem?
Burbank Ping
Some blast for some blast?
Yep. RAT to the core.
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