Assemb. William Boyland Jr.'s chief of staff arrested on bribery charges

The chief of staff of state Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. was charged Thursday in the latest corruption scandal dogging the Brooklyn pol.

Ryan Hermon, 33, was charged with bribery and conspiracy to solicit more than $250,000 as part of a scheme involving a carnival promoter who had been working with undercover FBI agents posing as businessmen.

In a complaint unsealed Thursday in Brooklyn federal court, Hermon allegedly solicited and took $2,000 in cash bribes from the men in exchange for promising them better governmental assistance.

"I wouldn't mind, you know, eating some steak or potatoes," Hermon allegedly said during one meeting at a Manhattan restaurant in February, according to the complaint.

Boyland, himself, was charged Tuesday with accepting thousands of dollars in bribes, after he beat other corruption charges just last month. His lawyer said he will fight the latest accusations.

Hermon was released on a $100,000 bond Thursday.

"Ms. Hermon's responsibility to the public was pushed aside," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Janice Fedarcyk said in a statement. "Apparently, her concept of her job included conspiring with her boss to solicit and take bribes."

An attorney for Hermon could not be reached for comment.