Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have charged former New York Police Department School Safety Division Commander Kevin Taylor and Florida Technology Executive Geno Roefaro with bribery and related offenses tied to an alleged scheme involving school safety contracts.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment accusing Taylor, 52, of Yonkers, of accepting roughly $70,000 in cash along with luxury hotel stays, trips to Las Vegas and the Bahamas, a helicopter tour, and Broadway tickets. Prosecutors allege Roefaro, 39, Chief Executive of SaferWatch, provided the benefits in exchange for Taylor’s assistance in securing city business.
According to the indictment, Taylor used his position to advocate for SaferWatch’s panic button technology, first arranging a $19,000 pilot program and later pushing for a broader contract valued at up to $11 million. Prosecutors contend that when earlier lobbying efforts stalled, Roefaro turned to bribery to advance the company’s prospects.
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Text messages cited in court filings show rising tension as the deal failed to materialize. In one December 2023 message, Roefaro wrote, “It’s been fun but it’s not fun or funny anymore,” demanding progress before year’s end.
Authorities also accuse Taylor of attempting to extort up to $75,000 from representatives of another company that supplied ballistic vests to the division, allegedly threatening economic harm if payments were not made.
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U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized, “The NYPD procurement process is not for sale,” asserting that corruption by public officials “will not be tolerated.” Both men face multiple counts, including conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, bribery, and extortion. They have pleaded not guilty. The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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