Two JFK Customs Inspectors Charged With Bribery
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Two federal customs officers were arrested today, accused of taking bribes in exchange for letting large quantities of hashish and counterfeit watches and sunglasses into the country through Kennedy International Airport.
The two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were among seven people charged as a result of a long investigation into corruption at the airport. Federal prosecutors said the probe had already resulted in the convictions of more than 20 people including distributors and overseas suppliers.
A supervisory Customs and Border Protection officer, Walter Golembiowski, of Bethpage, N.Y., and Officer John Ajello, of Hicksville, N.Y., were charged with bribery conspiracy and narcotics importation.
Prosecutors said Mr. Golembiowski, 65, regularly accepted and solicited bribes from 2004 to this year in exchange for permitting shipments of contraband to pass through Customs without inspection. Mr. Ajello, 51, also accepted bribes, in one instance asking for $80,000, a charging document said.
“Smuggling any kind of illegal commodity raises troubling issues at a time of deep concern over national security,” U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said. “The threat is heightened when a government official accepts bribes to help smugglers breach our borders.”
According to a release by federal authorities, law enforcement officers recorded numerous meetings and phone calls in which Messrs. Golembiowski and Ajello plotted with others to bring narcotics and contraband including counterfeit watches and designer sunglasses into America.
In addition, Mr. Golembiowski was captured on audio and video on multiple occasions accepting bribes to help his coconspirators bring illegal drugs and counterfeit goods into the country without detection, authorities said.
If convicted, Mr. Golembiowski could face up to 70 years in prison while Mr. Ajello could face up to five years in prison.
Others arrested today included two customs brokers, an operations manager of a cargo cooperative, and two importers of counterfeit goods and controlled substances, authorities said.
Messages left with defense lawyers in the case were not immediately returned.
