QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the arraignment of nine taxi dispatchers on charges related to accepting bribes at Kennedy International Airport. These individuals are accused of allowing taxi drivers to bypass long wait lines in exchange for cash, directly impacting the integrity of the taxi dispatch system at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Four of the dispatchers face first-degree commercial bribe receiving charges for allegedly accepting over $1,000 in bribes, highlighting the severity of the corruption within this scheme. District Attorney Katz emphasized the detrimental effects of such corruption on honest, hardworking taxi drivers striving to make a living.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, alongside Taxi & Limousine Commissioner David Do, have expressed zero tolerance for these corrupt practices, vowing to uphold public safety and fairness. Efforts to combat this scheme included a comprehensive investigation led by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, with support from Port Authority Inspector General John Gay and the Taxi & Limousine Commission’s Enforcement officers.
The indicted dispatchers, employed by a subcontractor for the Port Authority, compromised the established taxi dispatch system at JFK, which is designed to maintain order and efficiency for both drivers and passengers. An arrest warrant has been issued for a tenth dispatcher involved in the bribery scheme.
The actions taken against these individuals signal a firm stance against corruption and a commitment to protecting the interests of both taxi drivers and passengers at Kennedy International Airport.