Ex-NY Trooper Sentenced to 6 Months for Faking Shooting
UPDATE: A former New York state trooper has been sentenced to six months in prison after faking his own shooting in a shocking incident that wasted police resources and public trust. Thomas Mascia, 28, was sentenced on May 21, 2025, in Nassau County court, following his guilty plea earlier this year.
Mascia reported being shot in the leg on October 30, 2024, claiming an unknown assailant fired at him from a parked vehicle. However, investigators revealed that Mascia had actually shot himself at Hempstead Lake State Park before fabricating the story and planting evidence at the scene. His actions led to a costly manhunt and a significant drain on law enforcement resources.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly condemned Mascia’s actions, calling them “disgraceful.” She stated, “His lies wasted hundreds of hours of law enforcement manpower, deeply cost taxpayers in Nassau County, and betrayed the public’s trust of those in uniform.”
In addition to prison time, Mascia received five years of probation and was ordered to undergo mental health treatment. He must also pay nearly $290,000 in restitution. Mascia resigned from the state police in January after being suspended without pay during the investigation.
Mascia’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, emphasized that his client was suffering from an undiagnosed mental health issue at the time of the incident. “There are many less severe and less dangerous ways to garner sympathy that don’t include shooting oneself,” Lichtman noted.
The former trooper’s family was also implicated. His parents, Dorothy and Thomas Mascia, faced charges of criminal possession of a firearm after the weapon used in the incident was found in their home. The father received five years of probation, while the mother received a one-year conditional discharge.
This incident has raised serious questions about the integrity of law enforcement personnel and the consequences of misusing public resources. As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with serving in uniform.
Next, the community will be watching how this case impacts public perceptions of law enforcement and mental health issues among officers. The implications of such a breach of trust will resonate within the police department and the public for years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
