A Wading River woman pleaded guilty to allegedly accepting bribes and falsifying paperwork for license applications through her employment at the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
In late January 2025, Brianna 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 allegedly accepted a monetary bribe and falsified an application for a home improvement license.
In exchange for a separate cash bribe, Hassett also allegedly 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 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.
“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 Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office will continue to have zero tolerance for corruption within any government agency or department.”
Hassett is due back in court for sentencing on May 27, 2026, at which time she will be sentenced to 1½ to 3 years in prison. Bermudez is due back in court for sentencing on May 27, 2026, at which time he will be sentenced to five years’ probation.