Retired cops named in murder indictments

WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- Two retired New York police detectives have been indicted on allegations they conducted a series of killings for organized crime figures.

Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were arrested Wednesday by federal agents in Las Vegas, the New York Daily News reported. On Thursday U.S. Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf told a news conference of indictments naming Eppolito and Caracappa, saying, "These corrupt former detectives betrayed their shields, their colleagues and the citizens they were sworn to protect."

Based on information from a former mob underboss, which was later supported investigations by NYPD Detective Thomas Dades, the Daily News said, Eppolito and Caracappa allegedly killed a Gambino family member for $65,000 and delivered another mob figure to be killed. Officials claim Eppolito and Caracappa have been linked to a total of eight killings, drug distribution and money laundering.

Eppolito retired in 1990 and had a brief career as an actor, including a role in "Goodfellas." His career was the subject of a book, "Mafia Cop: The Story of an Honest Cop Whose Family Was the mob," the Daily News reported.