BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) – A Bridgeport police officer accused of stealing hot dogs from a courthouse concession stand has been fired.

Officer Murphy Pierce has been accused of stealing hot dogs from a vendor starting in late 2006 and later trying to tamper with witnesses in the case when the vendor complained.

A panel of police commissioners has signed off on the decision to fire Pierce. The board says the intimidation began in September 2006 when Pierce approached Michael Pinto, who operates the “Snappy Dog” concession stand near the courthouse.

The panel says Pinto feared losing his permit for the stand because the Police Department oversees the awarding of permits to vendors.

Pierce has denied all the charges.



Information from: Connecticut Post, http://www.connpost.com

AP-ES-03-19-08 0658EDT

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