Retired NYPD Officer Accused Of Running High-End Prostitution Operation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A retired NYPD officer is accused of running a high-end prostitution operation with more than 50 websites.
Homeland Security agents and police arrested 44-year-old Michael Rizzi at his home Tuesday morning on money laundering charges.
CBS2's Dick Brennan reported Rizzi was operating over 58 web domains with names like "lushplaymates.com" and "flygirlsnyc.com."
Between June 2012 and May 2016, officials said Rizzi allegedly ran BJM, a multi-million dollar online prostitution operation with hourly fees of up to $2,000. The investigation found some clients paid more than $25,000 for a single night, officials said, according to WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini.
Prosecutors also charge Rizzi set up personal and business bank accounts to launder the millions of dollars he took in. Rizzi apparently used some of the proceeds to buy a home in Florida, according to officials.
"Rizzi, a former police officer, once entrusted to enforce the law now finds himself accused of breaking it," stated HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez. "This arrest and HSI's seizure of dozens of websites signify the end to this high end prostitution ring and money laundering scheme."
"The anonymity of the internet stretches only so far," Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said. "Today, Michael Rizzi's alleged scheme of prostitution and money laundering is up."
Rizzi worked for the NYPD for nine years before retiring on disability.
Rizzi's attorney Javier Solano denied the charges.
"They're alleging that my client ran an illegal escort service, and by illegal I mean escort services are not per se illegal. Whether or not that prostitution is associated with it is what makes it illegal," Solano said.
Solano said Rizzi's company provided companionship services.
"The word implies what it does. Somebody likes to say I want somebody, wants to walk with me, go to the movies, go to dinner," Solano explained.
Rizzi's company had a location on Wild Avenue on Staten Island, but prosecutors said Rizzi ran the business out of his home in Bensonhurst.
A federal judge said Rizzi's house could be used as part of the $500,000 bond, and Rizzi's wife appeared to sign off on that.
However, as federal authorities were set to release him, Rizzi was rearrested over a gun found in the home.
"It's an old .32 caliber handgun that they found in the basement somewhere," Solano said. "It's probably rusted out and doesn't even work."
Rizzi has already cleared bond in federal court.
If convicted, Rizzi faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
