NYPD Official Accused of Accepting Bribes from Company Marketing ‘Panic Button’ for Schools

A former high-ranking official in the New York Police Department has been charged with accepting $35,000 in cash, luxury travel perks, and other bribes from a Florida businessman seeking to sell panic buttons to the city’s public schools and police.

In an indictment released on Thursday, federal prosecutors revealed that Kevin Taylor attempted to steer an $11 million contract toward the company, SaferWatch, while serving as the commanding officer of the NYPD’s School Safety Division. SaferWatch markets its product as a “mobile panic alert system” designed for mass shootings and other emergencies.

In exchange for his efforts, the company’s founder, Gene Roefaro, reportedly showered Taylor and his romantic partner with lavish gifts. These included luxury hotels, airfare to the Bahamas and Las Vegas, helicopter tours, tickets to Broadway musicals, and even a “medieval-themed dinner theater,” along with multiple cash payments, according to prosecutors.

Taylor pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery and wire fraud on Thursday. An inquiry sent via email to his attorney went unanswered.

Roefaro is also facing charges, including bribery and wire fraud, but has not yet entered a plea. An attorney representing Roefaro expressed confusion and concern regarding the charges, stating it was “puzzling and deeply concerning that the United States Attorney’s Office has chosen to pursue charges against Geno, while at the very same time, alleging — and seeking to prove — that he was the victim of an extortionate shakedown.”

These charges are the latest in a series of corruption and favor-trading allegations against officials appointed by the city’s former mayor, Eric Adams, who himself faced an indictment in a separate bribery scheme involving luxury travel gifts.

While the case against Adams was later abandoned by the Trump administration, some investigations into his inner circle remain active. This includes an ongoing bribery case involving his former chief advisor. Recently, federal prosecutors have announced bribery charges against two other NYPD officers and a former housing official under Adams.

The investigation into SaferWatch first emerged in September 2024 as part of a broader federal probe into the Adams administration. The company was among several that hired a consulting firm run by the brother of two top Adams officials, both of whom resigned after their homes were searched by federal authorities.

Federal prosecutors allege that in 2023, Taylor helped secure a no-bid contract to pilot Roefaro’s products within the command center of the NYPD’s school safety division. However, as the police official struggled to expand the program, Roefaro reportedly grew frustrated, at times describing himself as a “sugar daddy” who had “made a MAJOR investment and zero return,” according to the indictment.

“It’s been fun, but it’s not fun or funny anymore,” Roefaro allegedly texted Taylor in late 2023. “Our company (ME) needs to report something real and significant that is in place prior to end of year.”

Days later, Taylor attempted to organize a press conference to announce that his division would be procuring a tip line from Roefaro’s company, but that event was ultimately canceled.

During this same period, Taylor was also trying to solicit $75,000 in bribes from two businessmen involved in a company that sold bullet-resistant vests to police. Both men reportedly declined his solicitations, according to the indictment.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A former high-ranking official in the New York Police Department has been charged with accepting $35,000 in cash, luxury travel perks, and other bribes from a Florida businessman seeking to sell panic buttons to the city’s public schools and police.

In an indictment released on Thursday, federal prosecutors revealed that Kevin Taylor attempted to steer an $11 million contract toward the company, SaferWatch, while serving as the commanding officer of the NYPD’s School Safety Division. SaferWatch markets its product as a “mobile panic alert system” designed for mass shootings and other emergencies.

In exchange for his efforts, the company’s founder, Gene Roefaro, reportedly showered Taylor and his romantic partner with lavish gifts. These included luxury hotels, airfare to the Bahamas and Las Vegas, helicopter tours, tickets to Broadway musicals, and even a “medieval-themed dinner theater,” along with multiple cash payments, according to prosecutors.

Taylor pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery and wire fraud on Thursday. An inquiry sent via email to his attorney went unanswered.

Roefaro is also facing charges, including bribery and wire fraud, but has not yet entered a plea. An attorney representing Roefaro expressed confusion and concern regarding the charges, stating it was “puzzling and deeply concerning that the United States Attorney’s Office has chosen to pursue charges against Geno, while at the very same time, alleging — and seeking to prove — that he was the victim of an extortionate shakedown.”

These charges are the latest in a series of corruption and favor-trading allegations against officials appointed by the city’s former mayor, Eric Adams, who himself faced an indictment in a separate bribery scheme involving luxury travel gifts.

While the case against Adams was later abandoned by the Trump administration, some investigations into his inner circle remain active. This includes an ongoing bribery case involving his former chief advisor. Recently, federal prosecutors have announced bribery charges against two other NYPD officers and a former housing official under Adams.

The investigation into SaferWatch first emerged in September 2024 as part of a broader federal probe into the Adams administration. The company was among several that hired a consulting firm run by the brother of two top Adams officials, both of whom resigned after their homes were searched by federal authorities.

Federal prosecutors allege that in 2023, Taylor helped secure a no-bid contract to pilot Roefaro’s products within the command center of the NYPD’s school safety division. However, as the police official struggled to expand the program, Roefaro reportedly grew frustrated, at times describing himself as a “sugar daddy” who had “made a MAJOR investment and zero return,” according to the indictment.

“It’s been fun, but it’s not fun or funny anymore,” Roefaro allegedly texted Taylor in late 2023. “Our company (ME) needs to report something real and significant that is in place prior to end of year.”

Days later, Taylor attempted to organize a press conference to announce that his division would be procuring a tip line from Roefaro’s company, but that event was ultimately canceled.

During this same period, Taylor was also trying to solicit $75,000 in bribes from two businessmen involved in a company that sold bullet-resistant vests to police. Both men reportedly declined his solicitations, according to the indictment.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
K-12