By Kevin Deutsch
[email protected]
Five people—including four Department of Correction Officers—have been indicted for using forged New York City disability parking placards, Bronx prosecutors announced Tuesday.
DOC Officers Nakia Gales, 44, of Manhattan, Shyiera Daniels, 29, of Manhattan, Judy Guity, 46, of the Bronx, Rasma Caines, 43, of the Bronx, as well as Craig Scott, 60, of the Bronx, have been indicted for second-degree and third-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument—in this case, forged parking placards that are widely abused by city law enforcement personnel.
Department of Investigations investigators said they learned that Gales sold the forged placards, taking payments ranging from $200 to $280 per placard. The placards were viewed by investigators in the vehicles of the five defendants, authorities said.
The indictment charges Gales with selling three of the forged placards.
“Members of our community with severe disabilities need these placards to enable them to park near their place of work, doctor’s office and other essential places so they can go about their lives more easily,” Bronx DA Darcel Clark said in a written statement. “The defendants…allegedly corrupted the placard program for their own convenience. Now they face felony charges.”
Gales, Daniels, Guity and Caines were arraigned Tuesday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary. All were released on their own recognizance and are due back in court in March.