Two detectives with the NYPD have been reassigned to desk duty following revelations that they were moonlighting as security guards for a group of cryptocurrency investors now accused of kidnapping a man in SoHo, according to law enforcement sources who spoke with CBS News New York.
The department confirmed that an internal probe has been launched, and both officers have had their guns and badges taken away pending the outcome of the investigation.
While it’s common for NYPD officers to take side jobs during off hours—a practice known as moonlighting—department regulations require prior approval. Authorities say these two detectives did not receive such clearance, prompting a response from Internal Affairs.
“It sounds like they just circumvented the process. Perhaps they were tempted by the allure of the salary, right? Salary comes into play,” said Michael Alcazar, a retired NYPD detective who now teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “The money is just probably worth the squeeze and the money is just wanna take a chance, take a gamble because they don’t feel it’s going to get approved and the money is just too great to turn down.
“If you’re working off duty without authorization, you could be suspended. You could even be terminated as a police officer,” Alcazar added.
One of the detectives had been part of the security team assigned to protect Mayor Eric Adams. Speaking on the matter, Adams—who recently returned from a cryptocurrency summit in Las Vegas—said he’s not informed about the personal activities of those assigned to his detail. However, he acknowledged that the claims are being addressed.
“I have security personnel and we don’t know what they do in their private lives. It has nothing to do with their professional capacity to make sure that I’m safe while I move around the city,” Adams said.
Police have yet to disclose the exact time or location of the detectives’ work for the crypto investors. So far, investigators have not found evidence suggesting the officers had any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged kidnapping plot.
According to sources familiar with the case, one of the detectives is said to have picked up the victim—an Italian national—at the airport on May 6 and transported him to the SoHo residence where the incident took place. At this time, authorities do not believe either officer was aware of the abuse that followed.
Prosecutors allege that John Woeltz and William Duplessie imprisoned the man for more than two weeks, attempting to coerce him into revealing the password to his Bitcoin wallet.
Investigators say the victim was subjected to electric shocks, had his leg cut with a saw, and was forced to use crack cocaine while being held against his will.
Following a court appearance Thursday morning, a judge denied bail for Woeltz. His attorney refused to comment when approached by reporters. The NYPD has not yet determined whether the detectives witnessed or knew about any of the abuse.
In a statement provided to CBS News New York, the mayor’s office said, “Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing.”
{Matzav.com}