NYPD official in corruption probe files retirement papers

An NYPD official who was disciplined last month in connection with the ongoing probe into police corruption has filed his retirement papers, a department spokesman said Tuesday.

By putting in Monday for retirement, Deputy Inspector James Grant, who in April had been placed on modified assignment, started a 30-day clock during which time he can retire with a pension unless he is hit with administrative or criminal charges in that time period, said a law enforcement official who didn’t want to be named.

Grant, who has spent nearly 20 years with the NYPD, was stripped of his badge and gun in early April as part of a joint FBI-NYPD investigation into possible bribes and illegal gifts from two politically connected businessman from Brooklyn. The probe has focused on allegations that assistant chiefs and inspectors received Super Bowl tickets, vacations and even the service of a prostitute, according to officials and news accounts.

Grant has not been charged with any wrongdoing and for now faces no departmental charges. The official said that it was unclear if Grant would face any official charges before his effective retirement date of June 22. The businessman at the center of the probe, Jona Rechnitz and Jeremy Reichberg, also have not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Roy Richter, head of the NYPD Captains Endowment Association, said Grant made a personal decision to retire.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.