Former NY Trooper Sentenced for Faking Shooting Incident

A former New York state trooper received a six-month prison sentence on Wednesday after he shot himself in the leg and claimed it was the result of an attack by an unknown gunman.

Thomas Mascia, who pleaded guilty in May, faced charges for making a false report, tampering with evidence, and misconduct as a public official. He had served as an officer since 2019 but resigned in January following a suspension while state police investigated the incident.

Along with his prison term, Mascia was sentenced to five years of probation. He is also required to participate in mental health treatment and pay around $290,000 in restitution at Nassau County Court in Mineola.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly criticized Mascia’s actions as a “disgraceful” waste of police resources, pointing out that the investigation took several days and burdened taxpayers.

Mascia reported that on October 30, 2024, he had been shot by a driver parked on the shoulder of the Southern State Parkway, close to his home. He described the alleged shooter as a “dark-skinned” man who, after the incident, drove off in a black sedan with temporary New Jersey plates.

According to prosecutors, Mascia shot himself at Hempstead Lake State Park, then concealed a .22-caliber rifle before seeking help on the highway. They noted that he also planted a shell casing at the scene where he shot himself.

Interestingly, Mascia’s body camera was not activated during the incident, which means there was no video evidence to support his claims.

Jeffrey Lichtman, the attorney representing Mascia and his parents, stated that Mascia feels remorse over his actions but is relieved to move forward with his life. Prosecutors argued that Mascia attempted to gain attention and sympathy through this act.

Lichtman mentioned earlier that Mascia was dealing with undiagnosed mental health issues at the time of the shooting and was receiving treatment. “There are certainly better, safer ways to seek sympathy without resorting to violence,” he commented.

In a related note, Mascia’s parents were also charged with possession of a firearm after the weapon used in the incident was discovered in their home. His father received a five-year suspended sentence, while his mother was given a conditional discharge for one year. His father had a troubled past, having been dismissed from the New York City Police Department in 1993 after pleading guilty to drug charges.