Delay seen for NYPD bribe trial

THE TRIAL of a retired highranking NYPD cop and a donor to Mayor de Blasio faced a likely delay Monday due to the amount of evidence against the duo.

Ex-NYPD Deputy Inspector James Grant and donor Jeremy Reichberg had been scheduled to go on trial beginning May 7. But during a hearing Judge Gregory Woods said he was open to delaying the start of trial as much as six months to allow the defense to prepare.

The delay would protect Reichberg and Grant from the risk of “unfair surprise,” Woods said.

The government has 50 witnesses and 1,400 exhibits it may introduce during the proceeding.

Reichberg’s lawyer Susan Necheles estimated the trial could last six weeks. She said the government was still turning over evidence, raising concerns about whether she’d be able to mount a proper defense.

“I do believe it is misconduct by the government,” she said.

Grant is accused of accepting bribes from Reichberg and another de Blasio donor, Jona Rechnitz, in exchange for favors, such as expediting gun-license applications. Rechnitz is cooperating with prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin Bell said the government had acted properly and was still gathering evidence in part because Reichberg is under investigation for other crimes.Stephen