(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Brianna Hassett, 33, of Wading River, pleaded guilty to Attempted Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree for accepting bribes and falsifying paperwork for license applications through her employment at the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
“This defendant’s conduct constitutes an egregious and systematic breach of public trust, as she placed her own greed above her responsibilities as a public official,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will continue to have zero tolerance for corruption within any government agency or department.”
According to the investigation, in late January 2025, Hassett was working as an office assistant in the licensing unit of the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs when, acting in concert with her husband, Esteban Bermudez, she accepted a monetary bribe and falsified an application for a Home Improvement license.
In exchange for a separate cash bribe, Hassett also provided questions and answers to the proficiency examination required for Suffolk County to issue a vocational license.
Hassett admitted to engaging in these criminal acts while acting in concert with Esteban Bermudez, 35, who was not a Suffolk County employee. Hassett and Bermudez were both arrested on February 13, 2025.
Hassett resigned from her employment with Suffolk County on May 14, 2025.
On March 25, 2026, Hassett pleaded guilty to Attempted Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree, a Class E felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. On the same day, Bermudez pleaded guilty to Offering a False Instrument in the First Degree.
Hassett is due back in court for sentencing on May 27, 2026, at which time she will be sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in prison. She is being represented by Michael Castro, Esq. Bermudez is due back in court for sentencing on May 27, 2026, at which time he will be sentenced to 5 years’ probation. He is represented by Toni Marie Angeli, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira and Bureau Chief Kevin Ward of the Public Corruption Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Matthew Matz of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
