[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           KEY DOCUMENTS PROVE INNOCENCE OF JOSEPH OCCHIPINTI

                                 ______


                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 1994

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, as part of my continuing efforts to bring 
to light all the facts in the case of former Immigration and 
Naturalization Service agent Joseph Occhipinti, I submit into the 
Record a sworn affidavit made out by one Harry Hildebrandt:

                 State of New Jersey, County of Sussex

       Harry Hildebrant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
       1. I reside at 34 Hillsdale Drive, Sussex, New Jersey.
       2. I am supplying this Affidavit at the request of Joseph 
     Occhipinti. I am giving this Affidavit freely and 
     voluntarily.
       3. I was previously employed by the New York City Police 
     Department as a Detective assigned to the Manhattan North 
     Homicide Squad. I am now retired.
       4. While employed by the New York City Police Department, I 
     met Joseph Occhipinti, who was then employed by the 
     Immigration and Naturalization Service.
       5. During the course of our respective duties, I worked 
     with Joseph Occhipinti on the Michael Hoban police homicide 
     investigation. Mr. Occhipinti's work on this investigation 
     was through and helpful. He was a contributing factor toward 
     the resolution of this police homicide.
       6. During the course of our official duties, I also 
     supplied Mr. Occhipinti with information concerning various 
     bodegas located in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan. 
     Many of these bodegas had a relationship to the Then Cartel. 
     It is my understanding that this information and other 
     information concerning the Then Cartel that I gave to Mr. 
     Occhipinti was the genesis of Project Bodega.
       7. Prior to Mr. Occhipinti's trial, I was interviewed 
     several times by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeh Johnson. During 
     these interviews, I advised AUSA Johnson that I had provided 
     Mr. Occhipinti with the information concerning several 
     bodegas. However, AUSA Johnson never seemed interested in 
     what I had to say and, in fact, seemed negative toward the 
     information.
       8. During my interview with AUSA Johnson, he suggested that 
     I not speak to the Occhipinti defense team. AUSA Johnson 
     advised me that the Occhipinti defense team was using 
     trickery and could very well be taping conversations.
       Sworn to before me this 12th day of March 1994.
       Susan M. Kinney, Notary Public of New Jersey.

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