Get Active Subscribe Support Us

RIKERS WORKERS NABBED

Six city workers were arrested yesterday on charges of smuggling drugs and other contraband to Rikers Island inmates, Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn announced.

The six - three correction officers, two jail cooks and a nurse's aide - all met with undercover agents and accepted bribes of $50 to $1,000 to smuggle cocaine, marijuana, tobacco and a cell phone into jails.  Investigators were tipped off to each case separately by Correction Department staff members or by inmates.

"These city employees ruin their careers and lives by engaging in this criminal activity," Hearn said.

Correction Commissioner Martin Horn said: "Smuggling contraband of any type is one of the worst things a correction employee can do.  It breaks faith with their fellow employees, puts other employees at extreme risk and jeopardizes public safety."

The employees face charges including bribe receiving, official misconduct and promoting prison contraband.  All are expected to be suspended without pay pending the resolution of the criminal cases against them.