Suffolk Woman Accepted Bribes To Falsify License County Paperwork: DA

WADING RIVER, NY — A Wading River woman was arrested last week after she accepted a bribe to falsify paperwork for a county license application, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Brianna Hassett, 33, was arrested and charged with third-degree bribe receiving and other related charges for accepting bribes and falsifying paperwork for a license application through her employment at the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the DA said.

According to the investigation, in late January, Hassett was working as an office assistant in the licensing unit of the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs when, acting in concert with another individual, she reportedly accepted a bribe and falsified an application for a home improvement license, Tierney said.

In exchange for a cash bribe, Hassett reportedly provided questions and answers to the proficiency examination that needs to be passed for Suffolk County to issue a vocational license, Tierney said.

Hassett also reportedly falsified insurance information on a license application in exchange for a second cash bribe, the DA said.

Hassett engaged in the criminal acts while acting in concert with Esteban Bermudez, 35, of Hampton Bays, who is not a Suffolk County employee, Tierney said.

Hassett and Bermudez were both arrested on February 13, the DA said.

According to Tierney, on February 14, Hassett was arraigned before Acting County Court Judge Edward Hennessey on charges including two counts of third-degree bribe receiving, felonies; one count of first-degree falsifying business records, a felony; one count of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing; a felony; and one count of official misconduct, a misdemeanor, Tierney said.

Hennessey ordered Hassett to be monitored by the Department of Probation’s pre-trial supervision unit during the pendency of the case; she was released from jail without bail because her charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail, Tierney said.

Hassett is due back in court on March 12, and faces 3.5 to 7 years in prison if convicted on
the top count, the DA said.

She is being represented by Brian Trodden, who was not immediately available for comment.

Bermudez was issued a desk appearance ticket, and his arraignment date is March 5, the DA said.

Bermudez faces 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted on the top count, Tierney said.

"The allegations in this case represent a shocking violation of the public trust, as this defendant is accused of placing her own greed ahead of her duty as a public servant," said Tierney. "My office will not tolerate corruption in any government agency or department."

"Thousands of county employees work hard every day to serve the public with the highest of integrity. When someone is found to have violated the trust of the public and their colleagues, my administration will not hesitate to work with the district attorney to have them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. "I want to thank the district attorney and our law enforcement for their swift action. I have directed our Department of Labor to undertake an extensive review of this employee’s work to ensure all permits filed are complete, accurate and meet all legal requirements."

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Brianna Hassett is asked to call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 631-853-4626.