Jurors, do you have hooker hangup?
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.