Rockland Gun License 'Fixer' Pleads Guilty in NYPD Corruption Probe

Alex Lichtenstein, the Rockland County resident accused of paying bribes to get gun licenses from the New York City Police Department for clients from the Orthodox Jewish community, pleaded guilty Thursday in Manhattan.

He was the catalyst for a massive probe into the ties between Brooklyn's Orthodox Jewish community and high-ranking officers with the NYPD, according to three bombshell indictments in June by federal prosecutors in Manhattan.

Lichtenstein, whom the FBI said paid bribes to get gun licenses from the NYPD and sold them to customers for as much as $18,000 apiece, is a member of the Borough Park's private, Orthodox-only security team, Shomrim, a volunteer, "ostensibly unarmed" patrol society whose stated mission includes combating criminal activity and locating missing people in Brooklyn.

Prosecutors allege Lichtenstein had been so connected in the NYPD that he spent almost every day there. The scheme came to light when Lichtenstein approached an officer in the License Division because his previous contacts had dried up.

NYPD Deputy Chief Michael Harrington, Deputy Inspector James Grant and Sgt. David Villanueva, who was with the gun licensing division, were charged in the corruption case.

SEE:

• Rockland Man Charged with Bribery Over NYPD-Issued Gun Permits
• Top NYPD Officials Charged in Corruption Probe Involving Gun Permits

Villanueva is alleged to have expedited and approved gun permits for Lichtenstein's clients in return for about one-third of the fee. Payments to him and other officers also included limousine rides, bottles of liquor and a wine tour.

Prosecutors said gun licenses were issued to more than 100 people without proper background checks or paperwork. The secret client list allegedly included one person who had previously been arrested for assault and another person with four domestic-violence complaints.

Lichtenstein, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein in Manhattan to one count of bribery and one count of offering a bribe, each of which carry a maximum term of 10 years in prison.

“As he admitted today, Alex Lichtenstein acted as a corrupt gun ‘expediter,’ bribing police officers to obtain gun licenses, offering thousands of dollars per license," Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in announcing the plea. "In a recorded conversation, Lichtenstein bragged of using his NYPD connections to obtain 150 gun licenses. This type of corruption not only undermines public confidence in law enforcement, but it undermines public safety. And it cannot be tolerated. I thank the FBI and the NYPD for their dedication and commitment to this case and this important investigation.”

Villanueva is currently charged in a case pending before Stein.

The indictments also accused the officials of providing favors to Orthodox community friends and associates, including police escorts, assistance with private disputes and investigations, police security at religious sites, the ability to get out of tickets and special access to parades and other cultural events. In return they are alleged to have received personal and financial benefits including jewelry and luxury items.

Image via Shutterstock