Logan Bribery Suspects Arraigned

The suspects in , were released on personal recognizance Wednesday after arraignment in East Boston District Court.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office, Judge Kenneth Fiandaca released Donald Potts, 47, of Medford, and four other Logan Airport Ground Transportation Unit agents alleged to have accepted bribes from taxi cab drivers for preferential treatment at the airport.

Potts and Kenneth Clement, 67, of Attleboro; Michael Garvey, 51, of Melrose; Vadim Mkrtychev, 36, of West Roxbury; and James Murley, 45, of Canton all face charges of accepting a corrupt gift under Chapter 268A, Section 2, of the Massachusetts General Laws.

Prosecutors requested $1,000 cash bail for the defendants and asked "they stay away from Logan Airport, stay away from any witnesses in the case, and surrender their passports."

Fiandaca imposed the orders while releasing them on personal recoginzance, according prosecutors.

The agents are alleged to have accepted bribes from taxi drivers at Logan Airport so the drivers could skip the wait in what is called the "Taxi Pool" at airport cab stands.

"Starters" like Potts man the cab stands and give out violations to "jumpers," who are cab drivers who fail to report to the Taxi Pool. The starters are supposed to issue violations to the jumpers, but authorities allege these five agents took money from the cab drivers.

The agents were charged after an investigation by Massachusetts State Police that lasted several months.

Prosecutors said the defendants' next court date is April 2. Potts was represented in court by Audrey Marinelli.