NYPD sergeants union tech manager attended Jan. 6 insurrection

A retired NYPD lieutenant who manages the NYPD sergeants union’s pc devices was among the the hordes of President Donald Trump supporters who broke by means of safety obstacles and stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the Daily News has learned.

Movie and images display Daniel Grasser, the retired NYPD lieutenant, and his wife Patricia, on the mistaken side of police barricades at the base of scaffolding at the Capitol, feet from a essential entrance that was the website of clashes in between cops and insurrectionists.

There’s no indicator from footage examined by The Information that the Grassers really entered the developing.

Grasser, 64, who served in the NYPD for 20 several years, wore black with a black knit cap at the insurrection. Patricia Grasser, 63, sported a pink Trump hat, according to video clip.

Grasser has labored for the Sergeants Benevolent Association as a complex advisor because 2002, the union’s web site states. One of his sons is an NYPD sergeant, information present.

Grasser’s Bethpage, L.I.-based company, Bits and Bytes, contracts with the union for about $10,000 a thirty day period, in accordance to sources. Grasser and his spouse launched the agency in 1997, quickly after he still left the NYPD, information show. He expended much of his NYPD career with the Administration Information Devices Division.

As a laptop or computer specialist, Grasser has entry to inner documents and other delicate information and facts at the union. He was performing for the sergeants’ union at the same time that SBA President Edward Mullins was allegedly employing members’ revenue to fund what prosecutors explained as a “lavish life-style.”

Mullins is accused of publishing hundreds of phony cost studies, resulting in him thieving hundreds of hundreds of bucks from the union he led for 20 many years. The distinguished police union chief resigned following the investigation emerged. He has pleaded not guilty and is out on $250,000 bond.

The FBI and federal prosecutors in Washington directed The Information to a record of folks billed in relationship with the riot when requested if Grasser experienced been arrested. Grasser was not on the record.

A spokesman for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting Mullins, declined to comment when asked if Grasser was concerned in the scenario.

Mullins’ law firm Marc Mukasey also did not respond to an e-mail.

The Mullins investigation led to the ouster of SBA Treasurer Paul Capotosto, who federal prosecutors mentioned was not effectively scrutinizing cost reports.

Grasser himself did not reply to phone calls and emails, nor did Patricia Grasser.

All-around the union, Grasser is identified as a diehard Trump devotee who talked about the QAnon conspiracy theory and told persons the 2020 election was stolen for President Biden, a supply explained. He and Mullins started out their NYPD occupations collectively and have been previously shut.

Mullins aided Grasser’s son Brandon get promoted, a resource claimed.

SBA President Vincent Vallelong did not reply to an email. SBA law firm Andrew Quinn declined to comment.

The social media movies and pics display the Grassers at about 3 p.m. by the scaffolding as rioters were marauding by means of the halls of the Capitol. Afterwards, Grasser and his wife are viewed below a substantial Confederate flag hanging from the scaffolding.

The Information sifted by means of insurrection video clip footage and photos with the help of on line sleuths who get in touch with by themselves the Capitol Terrorists Exposers. The group’s efforts to determine insurrectionists have been referenced in federal indictments.

The scaffolding and a established of techniques following to it have been utilized by rioters who pressured their way previous police and then smashed home windows to get into the constructing.

Previously in the day, Grasser and his spouse were being witnessed on video around the Washington Monument in a sea of flags, like Accomplice flags. Patricia Grasser held a indicator looking at “Stop the steal” and “Long Island enjoys Trump.”

Grasser is not the only former NYPD cop to show up at the insurrection.

Retired NYPD cop Thomas Webster was uncovered responsible in May of assaulting a police officer through the riot. The brother of an NYPD cop was also billed with attending the riot, producing a friend “I’ll be with ex NYPD and some proud boys,” in accordance to a grievance.

Much more than 700 people today have been billed with criminal offenses in relationship with the riot, which includes getting into or remaining on a restricted making or grounds. Most of people billed with trespassing have been accused of extra offenses.