Rochester cop pleads to reduced charges, resigns

The case against a Rochester police officer accused of tipping off drug dealers has come to an end with a guilty plea on reduce charges and her resignation.

The Post-Bulletin of Rochester reports Vanessa Nicole Mason, 32, on Monday entered an Alford plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Authorities alleged she socialized with people with felony convictions while she was a police officer and on active duty.

The Alford plea means she doesn't admit guilt, but acknowledges there was enough evidence to convict her.

Mason still faces a felony charge of tipping off a narcotics dealer about a search warrant in 2008.

Under the plea agreement, Mason must pay a $1,000 fine and do 100 hours of community service work.

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