2 NYPD detectives, including member of Mayor Adams detail, placed on desk duty for working private security for crypto torture case suspect: sources
Two veteran NYPD detectives — including a member of Mayor Adam's security detail — were placed on desk duty Thursday for allegedly working private security without approval for one of the suspects arrested in the crypto torture case, police sources said.
One of the cops was identified by sources as Roberto Cordero, a detective first grade with the NYPD since 2005, who was assigned to the Executive Protection Unit, which handles Adams' security.
The second was identified by sources and an NYPD personnel order obtained by the Daily News as Raymond Low, a detective second grade with Manhattan North Narcotics who also joined the NYPD in 2005. He was placed on desk duty about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Cordero and Low officially were sworn in as cops on the same day, Jan. 10, 2005, records show.
Investigators looking into the circumstances of the crypto torture case which has led to the arrests of two investors, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, learned that Cordero and Low were employed by one of the two men, the sources said.
On Friday, an Italian national, 28, escaped from a multimillion dollar Soho townhouse and went to police. Investigators established he had been held for 17 days and tortured repeatedly, authorities said. Woeltz was arrested last Friday. Duplessie was arrested Wednesday.
It was unclear Thursday which of the two suspects the detectives were working for or how much they were being paid. The sources said a retired cop helped get the two detectives the job.
Investigators have not determined whether either Cordero or Low had any knowledge or involvement in the kidnapping and torture of the victim, the sources said.
Cordero's assignment to the mayor's detail in 2021 predated Adams' tenure as mayor, department records show.
In a brief statement, an NYPD spokesperson said, 'Members of the service were modified yesterday. The matter is under internal review.'
'Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing,' said Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adams.
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