The Latest: 4 charged in NYC corruption probe freed on bail

NEW YORK – The Latest on arrests in a widening corruption investigation in New York City (all times local):

5:25 p.m.

Four men charged in a widening New York City corruption probe have been released from custody on bail.

Two high-ranking New York Police Department officers are accused of taking over $100,000 worth of free flights, prostitutes, expensive meals and other bribes in exchange for providing a “private police force” for local businessmen.

Deputy Chief Michael Harrington, Deputy Inspector James Grant and Brooklyn businessman Jeremy Reichberg are charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. NYPD Sgt. David Villanueva was arrested on charges of conspiring to commit bribery.

Harrington and Grant were each released on $250,000 bail. Reichberg was freed on $500,000 bail. Lawyers for the three say they don’t believe their clients are guilty of the charges.

Villanueva pleaded not guilty to an indictment and was freed on $200,000 bail.

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9:30 a.m.

Authorities say the FBI has arrested four people in connection with New York City’s ongoing corruption probe, including a New York Police Department commander accused of accepting gifts that included time with a prostitute.

A criminal complaint alleges an unidentified real estate executive took James Grant, the commander of an Upper East Side Precinct, on a private jet for Super Bowl weekend in 2013 and arranged for a prostitute who stayed in Grant’s luxury hotel room. It says the executive is co-operating with the government.

The head of Grant’s union declined to comment.

A businessman who contributed heavily to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign already has pleaded guilty in the widespread case. Earlier this month, federal prosecutors charged the head of the correction officers’ union for allegedly taking kickbacks.