Former Brooklyn prosecutor pleads guilty to forging judges' signatures to obtain wiretaps
A former Brooklyn prosecutor fought tears as she pleaded guilty on Monday to allegations that she forged judges’ signatures to wiretap two people and listen to their conversations.
Tara Lenich, 41, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to two counts of illegal wiretapping, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports.
“I knew the conduct was illegal,” Lenich said. “And I would just like to apologize and say that I’m so sorry for my actions and anyone it affected.”
Previous press reports have said the tapped phones belonged to another prosecutor and a love interest of Lenich’s. The wiretapping occurred between 2015 and 2016, Lenich acknowledged in court. She was deputy chief for special investigations when she was fired in November 2016.
Defense lawyers think Lenich could get probation, although the charges carry a maximum term of 10 years in prison, according to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. A New York Post report on the plea said prosecutors have recommended a jail sentence of eight to 14 months.
