A veteran Suffolk police officer appeared before a judge Saturday and was charged with grand larceny and receiving a bribe for allegedly fixing a traffic ticket.

Prosecutors and police claim Officer Bruce Blanco, 48, offered to testify in favor of a driver in traffic court if the man would build him a $15,000 brick patio for only $1,500. Blanco had issued the man a ticket and told him that if he refused his offer, Blanco would lock him up.

Prosecutors say the officer was taken into custody after he allegedly lied in a court hearing at the Traffic Violations Bureau in Hauppauge.

According to court documents, investigators have obtained incriminating tapes of the officer's conversations.

The police commissioner issued a statement, saying the accusations are ?very serious.? While the investigation continues, Blanco has been suspended without pay.