Second officer linked to botched prostitution WPD sting resigns

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A second officer believed to be connected with a botched prostitution sting last year has resigned from the Wilmington Police Department.

Ofc. Andrew Lazzaro, who was demoted from corporal to officer a month ago, resigned this week according to the Wilmington Police Department. WPD demoted Sgt. J.P. Fitzgerald to corporal last month and transferred him from Special Operations to Patrol. He resigned earlier this month. The department also suspended Sgt. William Richards for a week last month and transferred him as well. All three men were members of the Narcotics Unit at the time of the undercover operation in March 2012, but WPD will not confirm that they were disciplined for their roles in it.

WPD says its internal review found no violations of law by officers. Earlier this month District Attorney Ben David and Police Chief Ralph Evangelous requested the State Bureau of Investigation conduct its own investigation into what happened.