The Daily News series, "Tainted Justice," sparked a joint federal and local investigation into allegations that Cujdik sometimes instructed his longtime informant, Ventura Martinez, to lie about drug buys so that Cujdik could get search warrants for targeted homes.
Cujdik, 34, a 12-year veteran, was placed on desk duty and his police-issued gun was taken.
His attorney, George Bochetto, said that the facts will exonerate Cujdik. He blamed the Daily News for destroying Cujdik's reputation and jeopardizing hundreds of criminal cases by publishing "sizzling, scandalous type of stories" designed to sell newspapers.
At times the attack seemed personal: "You have to remember, you're dealing with a confidential informant here. A confidential informant in the city of Philadelphia is one step above a Daily News reporter," McNesby said, prompting cops to applaud and laugh.
Bochetto said that he had planned to file a libel lawsuit against the newspaper, but Sunday's bankruptcy filing by Philadelphia Newspapers LLC has made him question whether bringing suit would be worthwhile. Philadelphia Newspapers LLC is the parent company of the Daily News and Inquirer.
Daily News Editor Michael Days said, "The stories are accurate and we will defend the reports and our reporters."
Martinez began working with Cujdik to take down drug dealers after Cujdik busted him for selling marijuana in 2003. The Police Department paid Martinez to make drug buys and for tips leading to drug and gun seizures.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily News in December, Martinez alleged that he had paid at least $20,000 in informant cash to Cujdik for rent on a Kensington house that Cujdik owned. Martinez and his family lived in the home from September 2005 to Jan. 30 this year, documents and court testimony show.
