Nation IN BRIEF : NEW YORK : Ex-Detective Faces Mob Spying Charges

A former police detective pleaded innocent to charges that he spied for reputed mob boss John Gotti by giving him police information through a powerful captain in the Gambino crime family. William Peist, 44, assigned to the intelligence division of the New York City police, had access to information on mob cases, including Gotti’s alleged violent takeover of Gambino operations. “The confidential information obtained by Peist included locations of (wiretaps and bugs), the identity of confidential sources and cooperating witnesses and the timing of prospective indictments,” U.S. Atty. Andrew J. Maloney said. If convicted, Peist could get 70 years in prison.