Four High-Ranking NYPD Officers Disciplined Amid FBI Investigation

The New York City Police Department has disciplined four high-ranking officers in the wake of a federal corruption probe involving a pair of prominent New York businessmen with ties to Mayor de Blasio.

Officials said Deputy Chief Michael Harrington and Deputy Inspector James Grant have been transferred and stripped of their badge and gun. The NYPD also transferred Deputy Chief David Colon and Deputy Chief Eric Rodriguez.

"The potential violations under investigation include violations of NYPD rules and policies, the City conflict of interest rules and the federal criminal laws," Police Commissioner William Bratton said in a statement.  "The investigation is examining the conduct of current and former NYPD Officers and several others."

Bratton said the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau started the investigation at the end of 2013 and was later joined by the FBI. Investigators have questioned dozens of officers. The four top officers transferred Thursday were investigated for allegedly taking free trips, meals and other presents from Jeremy Reichberg and Jona Rechnitz — two businessmen who served on de Blasio's inaugural committee.

Deputy Police Commissioner Larry Byrne told reporters he didn't think the misconduct was widespread.

"We don’t believe, based on what we know so far, that this is deep, systemic corruption throughout the department," he said. "As opposed to, perhaps, bad judgment of a small group of people that are relatively senior."

No charges have been filed in the case.