Cop Who Lied About Being Shot By “Black Suspect” Receives Light Sentence

A New York state trooper, Thomas Mascia, received a sentence of less than one year in jail after admitting to fabricating a story about being shot by a gunman. He will serve six months in prison, followed by five years of probation for his deceitful actions, which occurred during a traffic stop in Long Island in October 2024. Mascia misled authorities by claiming he was shot by a “Black man or dark-skinned Hispanic.” Following his self-inflicted injury with a .22 caliber rifle, he staged a chaotic shooting scene. He placed shell casings, concealed his firearm, and then called for backup. His false narrative sparked a widespread manhunt, ultimately leading to a criminal investigation that uncovered his lies. By January, Mascia had resigned amid scrutiny. Although he initially faced a potential three-year prison sentence, he pleaded guilty in May. As part of his sentence, he must undergo mental health treatment and reimburse nearly $290,000 in restitution. District Attorney Anne Donnelly condemned his actions as “disgraceful.”