Manhattan federal court saw a grim day as former NYPD officers Paul Dean, Robert Espinel, Gaetano Valastro (a/k/a ‘Guy’), and John Chambers were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in a scheme involving the illegal approval of gun licenses. The allegations rock the NYPD’s License Division, where the accused are said to have exchanged their authority for cash payments and other bribes.
Joining the fray is former Assistant District Attorney David Villanueva and Frank Soohoo, a gun license expeditor, who have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities. Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim minced no words, stating that the corruption reached as high as Lieutenant Dean, second in command of the License Division, and included three other officers.
Kim emphasized the gravity of the crime, noting that when police officers betray their oaths for personal gain, they not only undermine public trust but also betray their fellow officers who serve honorably. FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that any abuse of power is a criminal offense and that today’s arrests are aimed at protecting community safety.
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill expressed the Department’s commitment to upholding the oath of office, noting that the behavior as alleged in the charging documents is intolerable. The charges represent a serious violation of trust within the NYPD, which will continue its investigation into this matter.
Defendants Dean and Espinel face two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of extortion, while Valastro is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of making false statements. Chambers faces one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of bribery. The defendants are set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox this afternoon.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News