3 NYPD Commanders Arrested on Corruption Charges

Three members of the New York Police Department and a Brooklyn-based businessman were arrested in the early hours of Monday morning on federal corruption charges, the New York Times has reported. The deputy chief, deputy inspector, and sergeant are accused of accepting expensive gifts in exchange for favors.

The FBI arrested deputy inspector James Grant, deputy chief Michael Harrington, and sergeant David Villanueva as part of a long series of investigations into New York City mayor Bill de Blasio's fundraising methods, the New York Times further reported. The businessman who was placed under arrest, Jeremy Reichberg, was a donor to mayor de Blasio's mayoral campaign, according to ABC 7 News in New York.

The gifts allegedly accepted by the deputy chief and deputy inspector were reportedly primarily supplied by two New York business people, Reichberg, who was arrested Monday, and Jona S. Rechnitz. Rechnitz was recently arrested for charges related to the corruption investigation, and has been cooperating with the authorities. The sergeant is accused of illegally aiding the processing of firearm licenses, according to the New York Times. Reichnitz has already plead guilty to corruption charges and has been cooperating with the police in their investigation, the Times said.

The New York Times​ reports that the gifts allegedly provided to the cops included trips to the 2013 Super Bowl with the accompaniment of a prostitute, video game consoles for the commanders' children, and expenses paid for international and U.S. travel. The NYPD commanders are accused of accepting the gifts in return for favors such as road closures and police escorts, assistance with the procurement of Police Department pistol licenses, and police intervention for protest gatherings at the workplace of one of Reichberg's associates.

The charges have yet to be officially released, but according to ABC 7, they are likely to include bribery, honest services and wire fraud, and conspiracy.