A veteran New York City Department of Correction captain is accused of turning her rank into a personal perks program, allegedly shaking down officers she supervised for luxury goods, chauffeured rides and free time off the clock. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say Latanya Brown, 51, of Yonkers, was arrested Thursday after a grand jury indictment accused her of extorting subordinate officers and falsifying her hours while assigned to Rikers Island and Bronx courthouses in 2024 and 2025. According to the charges, Brown allegedly demanded cash and pricey gifts, including a Louis Vuitton handbag, and padded her timesheets on more than 100 occasions.
Prosecutors Announce Charges
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York said in a press release that Brown is charged with two counts of extortion and one count of fraudulently obtaining funds from a federally funded government agency. Prosecutors say she weaponized her authority over overtime, shift changes and vacation approvals, allegedly using those powers as leverage to squeeze officers she supervised for money, gifts and personal favors, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.
What Officials Said
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella did not mince words, saying, "As alleged, the defendant brazenly abused her authority as a law enforcement supervisor to steal taxpayer money and terrorize her subordinates by shaking them down for money, expensive gifts, and chauffeuring her to run personal errands." The FBI and the New York City Department of Investigation echoed the outrage, backing the federal case and condemning the alleged conduct, as posted by EDNY on X.
Allegations In The Indictment
The indictment lays out a series of alleged shakedowns, claiming Brown repeatedly demanded cash and in-kind services from officers under her command. Prosecutors say she forced several officers to buy her a Louis Vuitton bag and ordered subordinates to drive her, on the city’s time, to restaurants, medical appointments and Empire City Casino in Yonkers while she was supposed to be on duty. The filing further alleges that between 2024 and 2025 Brown collected more than $250,000 in regular pay and over $400,000 in overtime while submitting records that falsely showed she had worked full shifts on at least 100 different days, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.
Court Process And Penalties
Brown was taken into custody Thursday and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Seth D. Eichenholtz, according to court filings. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Section, with Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Grubin and Andrew Wang assigned to the matter. If convicted on all counts, Brown faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Why This Matters Locally
The case lands at a time when the Department of Correction is already under a harsh spotlight. It is the latest in a string of criminal cases and internal investigations involving alleged payroll scams and misconduct at Rikers and other city jails. In April, for instance, another corrections captain and 10 officers were indicted on accusations that they submitted bogus timesheets and took nearly $230,000 in unearned pay, raising fresh alarms about payroll oversight at city lockups, as reported by News12.
The charges against Brown remain allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. More details are expected to emerge as the case moves forward and additional filings, including updated court records, become public after arraignment.
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