New York Daily News

Jurors, do you have hooker hangup?

- BY STEPHEN REX BROWN

Attorneys on the upcoming corruption trial of a Brooklyn businessma­n and a former NYPD deputy inspector want to ask jurors one key question: Do they have strong feelings about cops having sex with prostitute­s?

The question was part of a juror questionna­ire submitted Thursday in Manhattan Federal Court for a judge’s approval. Real estate investor Jeremy Reichberg is accused of bribing former NYPD Deputy Inspector James Grant in exchange for police favors.

The gifts given to Grant include a luxurious private flight in February 2013 to Las Vegas to watch the Super Bowl. Reichberg’s alleged partner-in-bribes, Jona Rechnitz, paid for the plane and bought a ticket for the prostitute who allegedly had sex with Grant on the plane.

The “mile high club” encounter is expected to feature prominentl­y in the trial currently scheduled for early October. It emerged during a hearing before Judge Gregory Woods that the trial faced yet another delay due to an attorney’s health problems.

“You may hear evidence or testimony from one or more individual­s in this case about police officers having sex with prostitute­s. Do you have strong feelings about such evidence or testimony that would make it difficult for you to render a fair and impartial verdict?” the question reads.

Prosecutor­s on the case object to the question.

Grant’s attorney has argued that the prostitute’s services were not an example of a bribe because Grant actually paid her.

Rechnitz and the prostitute are expected to testify in the trial.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States