New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) on Wednesday announced an indictment against three men involved in the World Trade Center rebuilding, accusing them of engaging in a "pay-to-play" bribery scheme.

"These individuals were trusted with rebuilding the site of the worst terror attack in American history, but instead, allegedly squandered public funds to line their own pockets," James said in a statement.

"Let this serve as a loud and clear message: we will crack down on corruption of any kind and will work to ensure public integrity and accountability throughout New York," she added. ADVERTISEMENT

Among those charged is James Luckie, a former electrical worker from New York who was contracted to work on the World Trade Center rebuilding. He is accused of receiving lavish gifts from Paul Angerame and Michael Garrison, two former managers at an electrical contractor.

Alleged gifts included expensive sports tickets, trips, meals and on-demand luxury car services. In exchange, prosecutors say Angerame and Garrison received preferential work and confidential information.

It wasn't immediately clear if the men had lawyers to represent them. It was also unclear how the men expect to plead on the charges against them.

The New York attorney general has accused the men of endangering the public and wasting Port Authority funds by allegedly hiring unqualified electricians based on personal relationships.

Port Authority owns and operates the World Trade Center site and was involved in its rebuilding. It contracted Cushman & Wakefield, where Luckie served as manager, for the project in June 2013.

Port Authority Inspector General Michael Nestor thanked James for investigating and prosecuting the men.

James is in her first term as attorney general. Since taking office in January, she has launched investigations into powerful special-interest groups based in New York, including the National Rifle Association and the opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma.

James's office has also been investigating the Trump Organization and its affiliates, continuing a lawsuit brought by her predecessor against the Trump Foundation.