NY State Trooper Fired For Prostitution Ring Probe

Trooper Titus Taggert.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The New York State Police has fired a Buffalo Trooper accused of organizing parties that may have involved prostitution.

State Police officials say Trooper Titus Z. Taggart, 41, was terminated following an administrative hearing.

Taggart was previously suspended in April after an internal investigation into allegations that he organized parties, while off-duty, that may have involved the promotion of prostitution.

Taggart was an 18-year veteran of the State Police, assigned to the Thruway in Buffalo.

Two other troopers involved in the investigation have also been suspended without pay.

Trooper Frederick Franklin, 41, and Trooper Mark Hufnagel, 41, were suspended for allegedly engaging in misconduct unrelated to organizing the parties in question.

Troopers Franklin, an 18-year veteran, and Hufnagel, an 11-year veteran, are both assigned to Troop T-Buffalo