Jail Captain Is Charged With Sexual Assault

By REUVEN BLAU

PETER MERINGOLO: Questions DOI tactics.

A newly appointed Correction Captain was arrested Jan. 31 and charged with sexually abusing eight juvenile inmates, the Department of Investigation said.

According to authorities, Capt. Dominick Labruzzi took the young men on 10 separate occasions to a secluded, locked area within the Adolescent Reception and Detention Center (ARDC) on Rikers Island.

'Reprehensible Conduct'

Once there, Mr. Labruzzi is alleged to have inappropriately touched the teens' genitals through their clothing, forced them to disrobe, asked them to squat before him, and fondled some of them. The alleged abuses took place late in December, DOI said.

"The conduct here is reprehensible under any circumstances," remarked DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn. She noted that Mr. Labruzzi's job was to guard the young men. "However, this defendant is charged with taking the worst kind of advantage of his position as a Captain," she said.

'Just Allegations'

Mr. Labruzzi maintains his innocence, said Peter D. Meringolo, the president of the Correction Captains' Association (CCA). "Every allegation of abuse of authority is serious," he added. "However, allegations are exactly what they are, allegations."

Mr. Meringolo questioned why DOI Assistant Commissioner Michael Caruso interviewed and arrested Mr. Labruzzi at his parents' home instead of at work. "It was overkill and I believe it was to embarrass him and the union," Mr. Meringolo charged.

"Where people are arrested is done on a case-by-case basis," replied DOI spokeswoman Emily Gest. "Being arrested at home is not nearly as public as being arrested on Rikers Island." Mr. Labruzzi began his career with the department in 2000, and was promoted to Captain last November. On Dec. 31, 2005, he was removed from his assignment at the ARDC and was placed on modified duty. He was suspended last week.

The investigation began after the Department of Correction reported the alleged abuse in late December, DOI said. Ms. Gill Hearn commended "the DOC employees who cooperated with this important, sensitive investigation."

Mr. Labruzzi has been charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and 10 counts of forcible touching, sexual abuse, and harassment. He faces up to two years behind bars if convicted of the most serious offenses.