Federal authorities made a string of arrests early Monday morning stemming from the investigations into New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's fundraising operation, according to the New York Post.
Brought into custody were four NYPD officials and Jeremy Reichberg, a politically connected friend of de Blasio who was involved in showering cops with lavish gifts.
The New York Post reports:
Four NYPD officials were busted Monday morning as part of the sweeping federal corruption probe rocking the police department and Mayor de Blasio’s office, law enforcement sources told The Post.
Deputy Chief Michael Harrington, Deputy Inspector James Grant, Sgt. David Villanueva and Richard Ochetal were arrested at their homes at 6 a.m. by FBI agents and hauled into 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan, sources said.
The arrests mark the first time NYPD officers have been charged in the 2 ½ year probe, which focuses on lavish gifts and vacations cops accepted in exchange for official services, such as security details and police escorts.
De Blasio’s buddy, Jeremy Reichberg — a police buff known for his NYPD connections, was also taken away in handcuffs. Reichberg, the proprietor of a venture capital firm, allegedly gave gifts to several officers in return for favors.
The first arrests made due the investigation came earlier this month. Both the president of the powerful union representing the city’s corrections officers and a hedge fund financier he was investing union funds with were arrested on corruption charges.
It was reported that Jona Rechnitz, another businessman who was giving gifts to NYPD officials, had pleaded guilty to corruption charges and was cooperating with federal investigators.
Federal authorities are still "probing into the mayor’s fundraising practices and some of his closest confidantes in an effort to find out if favors, contracts, or positions were offered for campaign donations," according to the Post report.