Peabody exam-scam cop fined

BOSTON – Peabody Police Lt. Edward Bettencourt was sentenced in Suffolk Superior Court Friday morning to pay a $10,500 fine on 21 charges of unauthorized access to a computer.Bettencourt was found guilty April 4 after a 14-day bench trial led by Associate Justice Margaret Hinkle. Hinkle stated in her verdict that the Commonwealth proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Bettencourt was the only man responsible for accessing the confidential information of 20 fellow police officers and one Salem officer on Christmas 2004 and using that information to look at their Civil Service Exam test scores.Assistant Attorney General Ina Howard-Hogan originally requested an additional sentence of 18 months of probation and 100 hours of community service, but defense attorney Douglas Louison disagreed.Armed with dozens of letters of support from the community, Louison suggested a period of unsupervised probation for what he called “modern day gossiping or snooping.””It’s ironic to a degree for the court’s need to impose some sort of community service,” he said, noting Bettencourt’s public service position. “He has always and is giving back to the community.”Louison went on to say how throughout Bettencourt’s 30 years as a Peabody officer, he’s “always been a leader” and showed “exemplary conduct.” He said the proof is in his successful four children, who all are involved in some form of public service.”They have taken their father’s role to the next generation,” he told the court.Louison asked the court not to impose fines because of the additional financial impact they would have. Bettencourt has been suspended without pay from the Peabody Police since just shortly after his indictment in October 2006. Louison estimated that Bettencourt has already lost $200,000 since his suspension.”It’s clear that the city will terminate his position,” Louison said, adding that Bettencourt, under the city’s public service statute, will also lose his pension because of the nature of this misdemeanor.In her 15 years as a judge, Hinkle said she has never tried a case quite like this one, calling it “unusual for Superior Court.””I have accepted what I feel to be a fair and just sentence,” she told the court after deliberating with the probation officer.She said the letters of support were both sincere and eloquent and demonstrated Bettencourt’s dedication as a public servant, explaining why she chose not to impose a community service sentence.”This sentence does provide steep punishment,” Hinkle acknowledged, adding she hopes it “acts as a deterrence for others who might be tempted” to do the same.Louison previously stated intent to appeal the verdict, however, he was not available for comment Friday.