A former Philadelphia police officer and Northeast resident has been ordered to serve a county jail sentence following her recent conviction on theft charges related to the tampering with utility meters at properties she owned in partnership with another ex-cop.
Aisha Perry, 55, maintained her innocence throughout her four-day trial last month and appeared as if she would avoid prison as Common Pleas Court Judge Earl Trent presided over her sentencing hearing on Thursday, according to published reports. But that was before Perry launched a verbal attack at Assistant District Attorney Terri Domsky, prompting Trent to order that the former lieutenant serve six to 23 months behind bars and pay more than $10,000 in fines and restitution.
Indeed, the same judged ordered Perry’s accomplice, George Suarez, to serve six to 12 months of house arrest as well as a $1,000 fine. Suarez, 56, reportedly apologized for his crimes and has already paid close to $5,000 in restitution to PECO.
Perry, meanwhile, chose to use her comments to the court as an opportunity to rail Domsky, calling the prosecutor a “liar” and “jealous of my lifestyle,” published reports said.
In May, a jury found Perry guilty of theft for tampering with the utility meters at her Winchester Park home and at a substance abuse rehab facility near 19th Street and Girard Avenue that she co-owned with Suarez. Similarly, Suarez was convicted of tampering with meters at Perry’s home, the same rehab center and two other properties. The allegations first came to light in September 2012. Both were arrested, charged and ultimately fired from the police force.
Perry had served 31 years on the police force, while Suarez had served 26 years. Trent ordered both to serve five years of reporting probation following the completion of their prison and house arrest terms. ••
