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Irate Bloomberg: Throw the Book at Plax

Mayor, NYPD upset by cover-up after accidental shooting of Giants receiver

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 2, 2008 11:11 AM CST

(Newser) – Mayor Michael Bloomberg is furious at the Plaxico Burress cover-up, the New York Post reports. Bloomberg demanded the Giants receiver get no special treatment for allegedly carrying an illegal handgun, and said anything less than the 3½-year minimum sentence would be “a sham, a mockery.” He recommended the district attorney investigate New York-Cornell Hospital for failing to report the gunshot wound.

The NYPD is also fuming over the lack of cooperation from the NFL, making it difficult to get answers from teammates such as Antonio Pierce, who was at the club Saturday with Burress; Pierce denies any wrongdoing. Bloomberg is also outraged the Giants didn’t immediately report the incident, leaving cops to find out about it on the news.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (3)]

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress leaves a New York courthouse with his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, yesterday, after appearing on weapons-possession charges. (AP Photo)

New York Giants' Plaxico Burress, right, arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court for arraignment Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/David Karp)

In a Jan. 29, 2008 file photo New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is seen during media day for the Super Bowl XLII football game in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia/file)

In this Feb. 4, 2008 file photo, New York Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress leaves the team bus at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., as the Giants returned from the Super Bowl in Arizona. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress catches a 33-yard touchdown pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Mayor Michael Bloomberg holds the Vince Lombardi trophy during the New York Giants' victory parade, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo)

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The arrest of New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress on a weapons possession charge drew the wrath of Mayor Michael Bloomberg Monday, who has waged a long fight against illegal guns during his time in office. (Dec. 1) (AssociatedPress)

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Our children are getting killed with guns in the street. Our police are getting killed. I think it would be an outrage if we didn't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. - Mayor Michael Bloomberg

I don't got nothing to run from. Obviously, it was a tragic and very accidental situation that happened the other night. None of us are pleased by it. - Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce

The police found out about this because of a story on television. The Giants should have picked up the phone right away as good corporate citizens. I don't care if there's a legal responsibility for them to do it. - Mayor Michael Bloomberg

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Irate Bloomberg: Throw the Book at Plax