“Get out of ticket” swap could land two cops in jail

Two Southern California police officers are facing a year in jail for conspiring to dismiss a woman’s speeding ticket after she promised to send booze. The motorist works in the alcohol industry. Prosecutors say in a news release that 44-year-old Huntington Beach police Officer Erik Michal Krause and 47-year-old Garden Grove police Officer Michael John Zannitto were convicted Wednesday of misdemeanor conspiracy to obstruct justice. They will be sentenced next month. Krause ticketed the woman for speeding near a school bus 13 months ago and, later that month, Zannitto met her at Knott’s Berry Farm while off duty. Zannitto told her he could have the citation dismissed and she promised free alcohol in exchange. Zannitto called Krause, who promised to take care of the ticket.