FBI case focuses on TVs, police

The high-definition televisions, which had allegedly been stolen, were seized as part of an ongoing federal grand jury investigation into allegations of theft and possible corruption involving Stoughton police officers, according to several people familiar with the investigation.

“The feds aren’t just looking at receiving stolen goods,’’ said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The investigation has been fueled by allegations made by an informant with a lengthy criminal history, the sources said. And it has cast a new shadow on a Police Department that was shaken by an earlier scandal that ended with the former chief being convicted in January of aiding a sergeant in the attempted extortion of a local businessman.

FBI agents seized the televisions from the San John Filarmonica Society Club after concluding they had been stolen, according to Carlos Arruda, president of the nonprofit social club.

During a telephone interview yesterday, Arruda said he was unaware that the televisions, which were a gift to the club, had been stolen. He said they were purchased with money raised from a fund-raising dinner in April 2007 and were delivered new, in boxes.

“Whoever did it, it’s a lousy way of doing it, to drag us into this,’’ said Arruda, referring to the unidentified purchaser of the televisions. “We are in the middle of this and we feel terrible when somebody donates two TVs and they were hot.’’

Arruda said a member of the club had been subpoenaed to testify about the televisions Tuesday before a federal grand jury in Boston. He declined to identify the person.

FBI agent Damon Katz, a spokesman for the FBI’s Boston office, declined to comment on the investigation.

“We can neither confirm nor deny whether there is or is not an active investigation into anything in Stoughton,’’ Katz said.

A spokeswoman for the US attorney’s office also declined to comment.

The three people who are familiar with the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity said a longtime informant for former Stoughton police detective Anthony Bickerton began cooperating with authorities after the informant was arrested recently on a number of charges.

The informant, who has a lengthy record that includes arrests on charges involving drugs, burglary, forgery, assault and battery, and motor vehicle violations, has accused Stoughton police officers of wrongdoing, the sources said.

Bickerton, 60, who is a member of Stoughton’s School Committee, retired from the Police Department earlier this month after 30 years on the force.

His wife, Rose, was charged with larceny in June in allegedly stealing $3,500 from Kohl’s while working in the store’s cash office. She agreed to make restitution, and a Dedham District Court judge sentenced her to six months probation in July.

Brockton lawyer Joseph Krowski, who represents Anthony Bickerton, declined to comment yesterday on the FBI investigation. Bickerton “has done nothing wrong,’’ he said, and there is nothing unusual about his decision to retire.

“There was a lot of strife for the past nine years in that department and a lot of police officers found themselves undeservedly in the middle of it,’’ Krowski said. “And if you can go, maybe it’s time to go.’’

The Police Department has been without a permanent police chief since March 2005, when Chief Manuel J. Cachopa was placed on administrative leave following his indictment on charges of being an accessory to attempted extortion. Last January he was convicted of the charge, which stemmed from allegations that he tried to cover up and hinder an investigation into allegations that Sergeant David Cohen abused his authority in 2002 while attempting to collect a debt from a local businessman.

Cachopa was placed on probation. Cohen, who was convicted of attempted extortion and witness intimidation in 2007, was sentenced to two years in prison.

In an interview this week, Acting Police Chief Thomas Murphy said he had not been contacted by the FBI or any other agency about an ongoing investigation involving police officers and has not received a subpoena or request for records.

He added that if his department is approached by the FBI or any other investigative agency, he would provide any records, files, or evidence requested.

“When they need my help, I’m here,’’ Murphy said. “We take this job to the highest standard, and I always have. It’s what people expect. I expect that of myself and anybody else.’’

The appearance of FBI agents on doorsteps of local establishments and a flurry of subpoenas have shaken this town of 28,000 and have sparked speculation about the probe on local websites and blogs.

Stephen G. Anastos, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said he has not been notified by the FBI or any other agency about the investigation and believes it is inappropriate for him to comment on speculation.

“I think you just have to deal in the facts when they are made available; that’s all you can do,’’ Anastos said. “If there is some evidence of wrongdoing and it’s presented to us, it’s our responsibility to deal with it.’’

But, for now, Anastos said he is focusing on progress the town has made in recent years, despite tough fiscal times.

“The town is trying to move forward from what happened a few years ago, and I think we have,’’ he said. “We want people to know Stoughton is a great community to live in and a great place to raise kids.’’

Shelley Murphy can be reached at shmurphy@globe.com.