NEW YORK – The New York Islanders professional hockey team is under scrutiny for hosting a fundraiser in this week’s season finale for recently convicted former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran of Mahopac.
The 38-year-old Putnam resident was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to prison for the killing of 30-year-old Eric Duprey when he tossed a cooler at the fleeing suspect who was riding a scooter at the time during a drug bust that went awry in the Bronx.
The Islanders donated a portion of their 50/50 raffle towards Duran’s legal defense urging fans to “join the fight for justice.”
Vincent Vallelong, president of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, told New York City media that the team called wanting to set up the raffle and give a percentage to the sergeant for his defense.
Duran is challenging his three-to-nine-year prison sentence.
Civil rights groups opposed the team’s offer.
Civil Rights advocate Fred Brewington said, “If the Islanders want to engage in the public debate of taking a life, they need to stop playing hockey and begin to engage in societal concerns that impact all communities.”
A spokesperson for the Islanders declined to comment Thursday.
The 50/50 raffle took in $44,890, according to the Islander’s website.