New York City police officials have reassigned another high-ranking officer amid a federal probe into whether officers accepted gifts from businessmen with ties to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Deputy Chief Andrew Capul of Patrol Borough Manhattan North has been transferred and was placed in an administrative position, the NYPD said in a statement.
His union didn't immediately comment, but has said in the past that the transfer of officers amid the probe was distressing. No criminal charges have been filed.
Capul is the fifth NYPD official to be reassigned because of the investigation.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton last week said two high-ranking NYPD officers were placed on modified duty and two others were transferred amid the federal investigation into potential violations of conflict of interest rules and federal criminal laws.
Meanwhile, de Blasio said Wednesday that he authorized his 2013 campaign attorney to contact U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara regarding the investigation.
But de Blasio maintains the relationship he had with the two donors was not inappropriate.
Local
"Someone who makes a donation - that's their choice. They shouldn't expect anything in return," de Blasio said Wednesday.
NBC 4 New York reported that Mayor de Blasio's ties to the two controversial businessmen are being scrutinized amid the ongoing investigation.
