Officials: NYPD members among dozens charged in prostitution ring

Prosecutors say seven active NYPD officers are among dozens facing charges for a gambling and prostitution ring that ran brothels in Brooklyn, Queens and on Long Island.
Investigators say a retired city detective and seven current members of the department operated the sex trade. According to the Queens DA's office, one of the brothels was on Front Street in Hempstead, New York.
Numerous gambling rooms were allegedly set up inside beauty parlors and other businesses.
Prosecutors say retired NYPD Vice detective 51-year-old Ludwig Paz ran the operation with his wife. He allegedly used his inside knowledge of NYPD vice procedures to thwart detection
Charges include enterprise corruption, official misconduct and promoting prostitution. A total of 49 people were charged.
The case is being prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney's Office.
Police Commissioner James O'Neill released a statement Wednesday, saying, "There is no place in the NYPD for criminal or unethical behavior."
He said the "penalty will be swift and severe."
AP wire services helped contribute to this report.