Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the arrest, which occurred on Friday, of a former Supervisor at the City Department of Parks and Recreation (“DPR”) on charges of sexual abuse and harassment that are alleged to have occurred inside a maintenance closet at a park located on East 156th Street in the Bronx, between July and August 2021. DOI’s investigation was prompted by allegations reported by DPR. The office of Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark is prosecuting the case.
FRANCISCO BRACERO, 63, of New York, N.Y., who is also known as “Cisco,” is charged with Forcible Touching, a class A misdemeanor; Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor; and Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation. Upon conviction, a class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year’s incarceration, a class B misdemeanor by up to three months incarceration, and a violation by up to 15 days incarceration. BRACERO was arraigned late Friday evening and released on his own recognizance.
DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “This Parks Supervisor, as alleged, sexually abused and harassed a subordinate. The charged conduct is unacceptable in any workplace, by any employee, and particularly reprehensible where, as here, it involves a supervisor. I thank the complainant for bravely coming forward to speak with investigators, the Parks Department for reporting the allegations to DOI and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership on these important prosecutions.”
According to the criminal complaint, between July 15, 2021 and August 2, 2021, inside of 720 East 156th Street, in the Bronx, BRACERO grabbed the buttocks of a female subordinate with his hand, without her consent, and stated that he wanted to grab her breast. This alleged conduct caused her alarm and fear for her physical safety, according to the complaint.
BRACERO began working for DPR in July 2002 and was an active DPR Supervisor at the time of the alleged conduct. When he retired in September 2022, BRACERO was receiving an annual salary of approximately $80,262.
Commissioner Strauber thanked Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark, and the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, which is handling this case, specifically Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Collado, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Omer Wiczyk. Commissioner Strauber also thanked DPR Commissioner Sue Donoghue and her staff, including DPR’s Advocate’s Office.
