An Orthodox Jewish community safety patrol member was arrested over bribery on Monday following the New York Police Department corruption probe conducted by the FBI. The said Jew attempted to bribe a police officer for a secured gun permit.
Alex "Shaya" Lichtenstein, who is a volunteer member of a safety patrol in Brooklyn's Jewish community, was charged for attempting to pay a police officer to get gun licenses, according to Reuters. Lichtenstein, 44 years old, faces conspiracy and bribery charges, the criminal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court stated.
He reportedly revealed that the NYPD officers helped him expedite 150 pistol permits for the Orthodox Jewish community members. A recorded statement was presented by a police officer whom Lichtenstein has a connection with, saying he will pay $6,000 to help him secure licenses.
Lichtenstein was busted through the said recording by the FBI and NYPD on a secret operation, the New York Post reported. The court complaint also cited three officers whom Lichtenstein has a connection with, including Deputy Inspector Michael Endall, the license division's commanding officer; Sergeant David Villanueva; and Officer Richard Ochetal.
Villanueva told his co-officers at the division that Endall had "banished" Lichtenstein because of his business -selling NYPD gun permits. Ochetal has also admitted he had processed permit application for the Jews, who paid him $100 in "lunch money".
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton said he had transferred the three officers assigned to the police force's License Division, including the top commander, until the investigation is complete. According to CBS New York, because of Lichtestein connection with NYPD officers of License Divisions, he obtained more gun licenses for the Jewish community in Brooklyn.
Lichtenstein was arrested at his home on Sunday in Pomona, New York and appeared in Manhattan federal court Monday afternoon. He was released on a $500,000 bond and had to surrender his travel documents and firearms.
