Nine taxi dispatchers at John F. Kennedy airport in Queens have been implicated in a bribery scheme, alleged to have taken over $12,000 in bribes from cabbies between January 2022 and February 2024. Authorities charge that these dispatchers allowed drivers to skip passenger pick-up lines in exchange for cash payments, ranging from $5 to $20, facilitated through methods like CashApp or Zelle.
The scheme, described by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz as “reprehensible,” involved dispatchers aiding drivers in avoiding the typical wait times in the central holding area, where cabs queue to pick up passengers. These dispatchers, tasked with ensuring fair and efficient taxi movement, are accused of accepting bribes to prioritize certain drivers, disrupting the established order and causing potential congestion.
Four of the dispatchers face first-degree felony charges for accepting more than $1,000 in bribes each. The remaining defendants, including drivers who allegedly paid smaller amounts, are also charged and could face prison time if convicted. Additionally, authorities are pursuing an arrest warrant for an unidentified tenth individual allegedly involved in the scheme.
This revelation comes amid ongoing struggles in New York City’s taxi industry, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yellow taxi trips have drastically declined since pre-pandemic levels, with only a fraction of licensed taxis in operation. JFK Airport, a crucial pickup location for yellow cabs, represents a significant portion of remaining business for drivers.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has emphasized the importance of upholding integrity in the industry, stating that drivers caught bribing dispatchers risk losing their licenses. TLC Commissioner David Do highlighted the immigrant background of many drivers, underscoring their desire to escape corruption. He stressed the necessity of adherence to rules and public safety for the industry’s sustainability.
Efforts to combat corruption and ensure fair practices at JFK Airport remain ongoing, with authorities committed to prosecuting those involved in the bribery scheme.
