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Read Full BioA Nassau County police officer has been arrested for allegedly stealing a $200,000 investment from a fellow officer for personal expenses, which included gambling and OnlyFans subscriptions.
Leonard Cagno, 39, of Oakdale, Suffolk County, New York, is accused of soliciting the money for his company, BW Media. Rather than using the funds for the company, he spent the money on personal expenses.
In addition to using money for gambling and OnlyFans, Cagno also bought a vehicle and paid off housing and credit card expenses.
BW Media was established in February 2020 as a domestic business corporation. In February this year, Funders App, doing business as Total Business Strategies, filed a lawsuit against the company alleging breach of contract.
The case is ongoing, and details are not publicly available. Cagno reportedly solicited the funds from his fellow officer, who was recovering from serious illness, between February and June 2024.
Shocking Abuse of Essential Trust, Says DA
Suffolk District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the arrest and stated, “The allegations here represent a shocking abuse of the essential trust that exists between fellow police officers.”
“This defendant is alleged to have preyed upon that trust for his own financial gain, and in so doing, violated one of the most important bonds in law enforcement.”
He is due in court on October 22 to face charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Police Officers Implicated in Gambling Scandals
In addition to the case in New York, other police officers have been implicated in gambling scandals recently.
In Japan, a police officer was also arrested this week after being found to be gambling at illegal online casinos. The officer intends to voluntarily resign from his role after the discovery.
Online casinos are illegal in Japan, and there have been several high-profile cases in the news recently as the country attempts to crack down on the platforms.
Similarly, New York has not yet regulated iGaming. The nature of Cagno’s gambling has not been revealed, but New Yorkers are the biggest sports bettors in the country. Last year, Empire State residents wagered $22.6 billion on sports, up more than 20% from 2023.
The state is also in the process of granting new casino licenses. This week, Community Advisory Committees rejected proposals from Caesars Palace and The Avenir to open downstate casinos.
