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Veteran San Francisco Police Officer Sentenced To More Than 3 Years In Federal Prison

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Ian Furminger, a former San Francisco police sergeant, says the biggest regret in his life is having not testified at his own trial. Furminger was sentenced to 41 months in prison for corruption in a San Francisco Federal Court on Monday after being convicted in December of four charges related to a scheme to steal money and property seized during searches and arrests in 2009.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said Furminger, a 20-year-veteran with an extraordinary record and his four felony convictions, marked "a day of shame for law enforcement." Furminger was also fined $25,000.

Furminger, 48, of Pleasant Hill and Officer Edmond Robles of Danville were convicted of stealing property and thousands of dollars from drug-dealing suspects. Furminger claimed he was framed by a "dirty cop" Ray Vargas, who testified against the pair to get a lower sentence.

"I know what it's like to be hungry. I would never take a penny from anybody ever and I wish I would have testified," Furminger said.

Since the scandal, the SFPD has implemented a new policy regarding police confiscated property and receipts. It's a policy Furminger said he wrote himself.

"I have the memorandum where they signed all the way up to the chief saying, 'No. We don't need this.' Well guess what boys and girls? You needed it.

Furminger must surrender honor before April 3rd to begin his sentence. Robles will be sentenced March 18th. The federal court argued the conduct cast a shadow on police everywhere.

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