A group of Westchester County Jail employees, including corrections officers and commissary workers, have been arrested on bribery charges in a crackdown inside the jail, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Two police officers and three former prison staff members – 1 security guard and 2 civilian supply personnel – Both defendants were indicted on third-degree bribery charges Tuesday and released on summonses pending arraignment on June 20, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office said in an email to The Washington Post.
The suspects charged include prison officers Peter Cumberbatch and Sharia Smythe, sources said. The identities of the other suspects were not immediately released.
They could not be reached for comment, and officials with the Westchester County Corrections Officers Benevolent Association did not immediately return a phone call Wednesday.
Authorities did not provide further details about the alleged crime.
In a statement to The Washington Post, Westchester County Corrections Director Joe Spano thanked District Attorney Mimi Rocca and her staff for their help in resolving the case.
“It is deeply disturbing to learn that some of our employees have made a willful decision to engage in criminal conduct that endangers the safety of staff and individuals in their care,” Spano said.
“Not only did the corrections officers involved violate their oath of office and our trust, they also brought disrepute to all honest and dedicated corrections officers,” he added.
“This arrest should serve as a strong warning to any correctional facility employee considering engaging in criminal activity: you will be found out and you will be prosecuted.”
