Three troopers suspended over parties

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Three troopers have now been suspended without pay for their alleged involvement with parties that had prostitutes.

Trooper Titus Taggart is accused of organizing parties that involved prostitutes while he was off-duty. An internal investigation has been ongoing since December of 2011, and Taggart was suspended Wednesday. The trooper is an 18-year veteran of the force and was based out of Troop T in Buffalo.

The picture with this story was an image Taggart reportedly used in promotion of his alleged parties. The Buffalo News reports those parties included food, drinks, and "loose girls." Investigators believe the trooper transported prostitutes from Canada into western New York.

>> See more pictures of Taggart and the parties he held here

Later in the day on Thursday, two other state troopers were suspended. Jeremy Smith, 34, and Michael Petritz, 33, were both suspended without pay in connection to the investigation. Smith, a 10-year veteran, and Petritz, an 8-year veteran, were both based out of Troop T in Henrietta.

Authorities say though Smith and Petritz were not involved in organizing the alleged parties held by Taggart, but they are accused of engaging in misconduct.

There have been no arrest in the investigation, which continues.