A Westchester County police chaplain is involved in a federal probe of the NYPD, and now a campaign contribution made to Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino is being questioned as part of the investigation.
That chaplain, Jeremy Reichburg, was reportedly appointed to the no-pay, volunteer job three years ago. The appointment came during the same month his friend, Brooklyn businessman Jona Rechnitz, reportedly gave a $25,000 contribution to Astorino for his re-election bid.
Reichburg and Rechnitz are accused of taking top NYPD brass on trips to Israel and the Caribbean and picking up the tab. The trips may have been in exchange for favors including police assistance at funeral processions.
A spokesperson for Astorino says the contribution did not seal Reichburg's appointment as chaplain.
"The Rabbi was a volunteer County Police clergyman, appointed by the County Police -- to an unpaid position," says spokesman Bill O'Reilly. "No one has suggested any impropriety. The County Police suspended him from that role, I understand, pending the outcome of whatever's being looked at in the city."
Reichburg and Rechnitz also contributed to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's campaign in 2013. On Sunday, de Blasio defended his fundraising efforts and said his office has not been contacted about the federal investigation.