A former Long Island prosecutor, now out of disgrace, is turning his time in federal prison into a lucrative consultancy for white‑collar offenders heading to prison. Christopher McPartland, once the top corruption watchdog for Suffolk County, was sentenced to five years in federal prison after covering up the brutal beating of a handcuffed inmate by a police chief in 2012. Since his release, he’s founded McPartland Federal Prison Strategies, offering pricey “in‑car‑in‑jail” courses that cover everything from hygiene and jobs on the inside to navigation of prison politics, inmate interactions, and tips for early release.
On his LinkedIn profile McPartland proudly states, “I was a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in New York for 26 years,” and lists his accomplishments, including prosecuting organized‑crime cases. He adds, “I was also convicted of Obstruction of Justice and sentenced to 5 years in federal prison — I became fully familiar with the workings of the Federal Bureau of Prisons from first‑hand exposure.”
The 58‑year‑old now sells crash courses that walk clients through daily life in custody: how to find work, maintain hygiene, handle health issues, interact with inmates and staff, use the commissary, and navigate the chow hall and TV rooms. His website claims, “We help educate you on life in prison, including healthcare issues, hygiene, safety, dealing with inmates and staff, commissary, chow hall and TV room practices, work assignments — and many other aspects of how to conduct yourself in prison.”
Attorney Randy Zelin, who often relies on McPartland’s advice when preparing his white‑collar clients for prison, argues that the ex‑prosecutor’s expertise is indispensable. “They’re worried — they want to be prepared going into their sentence,” Zelin said. “They don’t know what it’s going to be like or what is going to happen in the showers, in the cafeteria, or how to maneuver throughout the system — and books don’t teach you that.”
Zelin even touts McPartland’s fees as “very fair” compared with rivals who can charge $800 an hour up to $10,000–$15,000. The now‑disbarred lawyer’s firm keeps its rates confidential, instead requiring a private consultation to determine cost.
McPartland’s downfall began when he and former Suffolk DA Thomas Spota helped cover up the assault by ex‑police chief James Burke in 2012. Both were convicted in 2019 for witness pressure, interference with the investigation, and hiding the brutality—an attack that even included a threat to administer a lethal heroin dose to a restrained victim. Spota now works a part‑time job at a Long Island law firm.
After serving two years of his sentence, McPartland was released from a federal facility in Beaumont, Texas, in 2023. He briefly joined The Justice Advocacy Group in Virginia, a rival prison‑consulting firm, before launching his own venture last October.
Zelin told the Post that McPartland deserves a second chance, hoping he can prove that his services provide a broader benefit to society. “We have the most people in prisons in the world—what are we supposed to do with these people and how are they going to have any shot in life if they can’t get a break or have a second chance?” he added.
McPartland declined to comment on the story.
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