Defense lawyers are seething over the Bronx district attorney's refusal to release the names of nearly 530 cops touched by the ticket-fixing scandal, the Daily News has learned.
The Legal Aid Society, as well as the union representing its lawyers, say they have been thwarted at every turn when trying to get the list of cops caught on wiretaps in the two-year probe.
Prosecutors have turned over information on some officers, but the identity of most remains a closely guarded secret.
Lawyers say the district attorney's refusal to release all the names is misguided and unfair to their clients.
"DA [Richard] Johnson has refused to turn over this information early, stating he will comply with discovery rules and turn over this material only when the cases move forward toward trial," said Deborah Wright, president of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys.
Wright said that's too late, because lawyers are working on cases that may involve cops with ties to the scandal.
Lawyers say they need the names to properly defend clients busted by implicated cops. They're planning to submit Freedom of Information Law requests to force the DA's hand if necessary.
"If that's the only route that's being offered to us to get vital information that could prevent wrongful conviction of our clients, we'll certainly pursue it," said Steven Banks, chief lawyer at the Legal Aid Society.
Johnson said his office has complied with the law.
"We are aware of our constitutional obligation, which is to disclose information about witnesses when we are aware of impeachment material prior to their testifying," Johnson said. "We have done this and will continue to do so."
Prosecutors have cut dozens of plea deals in cases linked to ticket-fixing cops, sparing them from having to disclose their roles in the scandal, sources said.
Indictments in the ticket-fixing case are expected to be announced soon.
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