FBI arrests high-ranking New York City police officers

The arrests mark the latest development in an investigation, led by the USA attorney’s office in Manhattan and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, into alleged misconduct at the NYPD.

The two commanders from 2012 to 2015 got bribes ranging from jewelry, meals, prime sports tickets and travel benefits to Christmas visits from the two businessmen dressed as elves to deliver gifts, and in return provided escorts, VIP treatment at events like the and help in business disputes on an “as needed basis”.

Also Monday, the court made public the guilty plea of Officer Richard Ochetal of the NYPD’s gun licensing division for accepting bribes in exchange for expediting gun licenses.

The officers are expected to be arraigned later Monday and more details on their arrests will be released during a news conference. “One would be hard-pressed to find a straighter arrow in their quiver”.

Reichberg’s “only mistake”, Necheles said, was befriending a government cooperator “who is desperately trying to get others in trouble in order to curry favor with prosecutors and save his own skin”. A lawyer for Villanueva could not be identified immediately.

Earlier this month, federal agents arrested Norman Seabrook, the president of New York City’s powerful correctional officer’s union, on corruption charges.

Reichberg and a real estate investor, Jona Rechnitz, have been at the center of the probe.

De Blasio has repeatedly said he and his administration have acted legally in all respects. Rechnitz’s attorney has declined to comment.

Brought into custody were four NYPD officials and Jeremy Reichberg, a politically connected friend of de Blasio who was involved in showering cops with lavish gifts. He has not been accused of wrongdoing, and the charges unsealed thus far against several individuals are unrelated to any of his fundraising efforts. The investigations have resulted in disciplinary measures against nearly a dozen top police officials.

Of the two others who were arrested, one was described as a civilian. The complaint said Reichberg and another businessman arranged for a prostitute to join the flight and spend the weekend with the group, staying in Grant’s luxury hotel room.

Banks earned between $250,000 and $500,000 from unspecified investments in Rechnitz’s firm, JSR Capital, according to his financial disclosure records.

A lawyer for Harrington could not be reached for comment.

The prostitute, prosecutors said, confirmed that she “was engaged to accompany the persons on the trip and that Grant and others took advantage of her services during the trip”.