NYC OFFICERS ARRESTED FOR TAKING BRIBES

A former New York Police Department lieutenant, two former police officers and a lawyer who once worked as a prosecutor were arrested in a federal gun licensing probe Tuesday as authorities said police employees traded speedy handling of gun permits for paid vacations, jewelry, catered parties, cash and visits to strip clubs.

According to court papers, the trading of gun licences for bribes stretched from at least 2010 to 2016. Authorities said members of the NYPD Licence Division solicited and accepted bribes from individuals who charged customers thousands of dollars in fees to secure gun licences.

At a news conference, NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said he was “absolutely appalled” at what happened and promised that changes have been made to prevent a recurrence. He said more than 100 gun licences have been revoked as the department reviews over 400 licence applications to ensure they were properly processed.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said bribes resulted in licences being awarded to people with substantial criminal histories, including convictions for crimes involving weapons or violence.