Milford Resident Solicited Bribes In NY Housing Authority Scheme: Feds

MILFORD, CT — Three Connecticut residents are among 70 current and former New York City Housing Authority employees charged in a massive bribery and extortion scheme, according to a statement from the U.S. States Attorney's Office Southern District of New York.

Those charged include Connecticut residents Michael Davis, 54, of Groton; Joacim Mendez, 47 of Milford; and Alexis Nieves, 41, of Stratford. Each was charged with solicitation and receipt of a bribe and extortion under color of official right.

If convicted, they could serve up to 10 years in prison on the bribery charge and up to 20 years on the extortion charge.

The current and former housing authority employees are accused of demanding a total of $2 million in bribes from contractors, according to prosecutors. Those contractors then received access to $13 million in no-bid contracts.

“These 70 defendants are accused of demanding kickbacks and bribes for access to no-bid contracts and lucrative, under-the-table deals," Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said in a statement. "Make no mistake, this alleged pervasive corruption had the biggest impact on (housing authority) residents themselves, who may have been cheated out of better services and programs."

The 70 defendants typically demanded between $500 and $2,000 depending on the size of the contract, prosecutors said.

“The Justice Department will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who abuse their positions in public service in order to enrich themselves," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "The crimes alleged in this case are serious violations of the public trust."