Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Brianna Hassett, 33, of Wading River, was arrested last week and charged with Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree, and related charges, for accepting bribes and falsifying paperwork for a license application through her employment at the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
“The allegations in this case represent a shocking violation of the public trust, as this defendant is accused of placing her own greed ahead of her duty as a public servant,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will not tolerate corruption in any government agency or department.”
“Thousands of county employees work hard every day to serve the public with the highest of integrity. When someone is found to have violated the trust of the public and their colleagues, my administration will not hesitate to work with the District Attorney to have them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said County Executive Ed Romaine. “I want to thank the District Attorney and our law enforcement for their swift action. I have directed our Department of Labor to undertake an extensive review of this employee’s work to ensure all permits filed are complete, accurate and meet all legal requirements.”
According to the investigation, in late January of 2025, Hassett was working as an office assistant in the licensing unit of the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs when, acting in concert with another individual, she allegedly accepted a bribe and falsified an application for a Home Improvement license.
In exchange for a cash bribe, Hassett is alleged to have provided questions and answers to the proficiency examination which needs to be passed for Suffolk County to issue a vocational license.
Hassett also allegedly falsified insurance information on a license application in exchange for a second cash bribe. Hassett engaged in these criminal acts while acting in concert with Esteban Bermudez, 35, of Hampton Bays, who is not a Suffolk County employee. Hassett and Bermudez were both arrested on February 13, 2025.
On February 14, 2025, Hassett was arraigned before Acting County Court Judge Edward J. Hennessey for the following charges:
- Two counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
- One count of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E felony;
- One count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony; and
- One count of Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
Judge Hennessey ordered Hassett to be monitored by the Department of Probation’s Pre-Trial Supervision unit during the pendency of the case. Hassett was released from jail without bail because her charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail.
Hassett is due back in court on March 12, 2025, and faces 3 ½ to 7 years in prison if convicted on the top count. She is being represented by Brian Trodden, Esq.
Bermudez was issued a desk appearance ticket, and his arraignment date is March 5, 2025. Bermudez faces 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
If you believe you have been victimized by Brianna Hassett, please call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at (631) 853-4626.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James J. O’Rourke, IV, Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira, and Bureau Chief Kevin Ward of the Public Corruption Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Suffolk County Deputy Sheriff Investigator Matthew Matz, assigned to the District Attorney’s Public Corruption Squad.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.