DA: Hempstead Village official took bribe to promote top cop

<p>A Hempstead Village official who's already charged with corruption is now accused of taking a bribe to help a top cop get a promotion.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 15, 2018, 5:20 PM

Updated 1,988 days ago

Share:

A Hempstead Village official who's already charged with corruption is now accused of taking a bribe to help a top cop get a promotion.
Deputy Police Chief Richard Holland, 47, and Village Trustee Perry Pettus, 62, face felony bribery charges and could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Pettus has been indicted twice for alleged bribery and extortion. He's now accused of taking money in exchange for voting for the police promotion.
"This is the highest level of Hempstead government officials buying their offices," says Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.
Holland was a lieutenant with the village police department. Prosecutors say he met frequently with Pettus, asking to be promoted to chief.
According to the DA's office, the alleged bribe took place one morning in May in the back parking lot of the Spices Negril restaurant in Hempstead. Singas says there's surveillance video showing the exchange and that the bribe was at least $1,000.
Neither of the men nor their attorneys responded to News 12's inquiries.
"These are serious allegations and we are committed to ensuring that the residents do not lose faith in Village government and we will continue to work hard to maintain the residents’ trust," Hempstead Village's mayor said in a statement.
And the police department's assistant chief said: "We are taking this situation seriously and are fully cooperating with the Nassau County District Attorney's office as they further explore this matter."
Singas says the investigation is ongoing. She urges anyone with information to come forward and says investigators are looking further into how the village board voted to promote chiefs within the police department.
Pettus and Holland are due back in court next month.


More from News 12
2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

2:21
Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

Chilly temps in the Hudson Valley will warm up as afternoon sunshine rolls in

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

0:21
Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

0:23
Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

0:35
Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

0:30
Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

1:42
Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents

Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents