Suffolk County Employee Charged with Accepting Bribes, Falsifying Documents

Per Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, Brianna Hassett, 33, of Wading River, was arrested last week and charged with the following: 

• Two counts of “Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree” (Class D felonies)
• One count of “Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree” (Class E felony)
• One count of “Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree” (Class E felony)
• One count of “Official Misconduct” (Class A misdemeanor)

An office assistant within Suffolk County’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, Hassett was formally arraigned on Fri., February 14th. If convicted of the top count(s), she faces 3 ½ to 7 years in prison. 

“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.”  

According to the investigation's initial findings, Hassett is alleged to have used her access in late January 2025—in criminal concert with another individual not employed by the county, Esteban Bermudez, 35, of Hampton Bays—to falsify an application for a home improvement license. 

In exchange for a cash bribe, Hassett reportedly provided questions and answers to the proficiency examination one must pass for the county to grant a vocational license. 

Hassett is also alleged to have accepted a second cash bribe in exchange for falsifying insurance information on a license application. 

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine expressed regret that the integrity of “thousands of county employees” may now be unduly called into question thanks to the purported wickedness of one. 

“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,” Romaine said. “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.” 

Hassett was released from jail without bail. She is due back in court on March 12. 

Though the South Shore Press awaits confirmation through proper channels, public records show Hassett was salary-employed by the county in this role as early as 2021. 

This is an ongoing story. Stay tuned for more.