Eric Adams’ former Division of Buildings commissioner and ex-Council member Eric Ulrich is having his day in courtroom.
Monday was day one in all his trial in State Supreme Courtroom over expenses that Ulrich took bribes to grease the wheels inside Metropolis Corridor. Ulrich was hit with five separate indictments in 2023, alleging that he used his positions to personally profit a gaggle the DA’s workplace described because the “Aldo’s Crew,” named for the pizzeria they frequented in Ozone Park.
Ulrich’s protection workforce got down to present Monday that funds he acquired have been strictly above board and didn’t quantity to quid professional quo preparations.
Attorneys from Manhattan District Lawyer’s workplace sought to tie funds and perks Ulrich acquired — together with Mets season tickets and money for playing — on to expedited constructing and well being inspections, together with different political favors.
“I’ve been ready a very long time for the details and the proof to return out, and for each side of the story to be instructed,” Ulrich instructed The Actual Deal.
The DA’s workplace described Ulrich’s conduct in its opening assertion as a case of public energy getting used for personal acquire. Ulrich allegedly hid the funds intentionally from his public disclosures, omitting the presents and cash he acquired as he expedited processes for pizzeria homeowners Joseph and Anthony Livreri and tow truck firm proprietor Michael Mazzio, in line with Assistant District Lawyer Man Tardanico. The Livreri brothers pleaded responsible to felony conspiracy expenses final month, marking the primary such pleas in a case that launched a string of corruption probes into high Adams administration officers.
“Recorded conversations will present that Ulrich even promised Joe Livreri a job on the Division of Sanitation so Livreri might exploit the place for his associates at Royal Waste, one thing even Ulrich admitted was like placing a fox in a henhouse,” Tardanico mentioned, including that former Adams administration officers will testify within the case, together with one other former DOB Commissioner Melanie La Rocca.
Livreri didn’t safe the sanitation function, however he was later put up for a task on the Financial Improvement Council and finally landed a part-time aide function within the Metropolis Council. Ulrich allegedly helped carry a vacate order, expedited a well being and security inspection and referred Mazzio’s daughter to a task within the Division of Corrections, gathering greater than $150,000 in money and presents.
Ulrich’s protection, in the meantime, argued that Ulrich’s conduct was normal follow for a Council member serving to out constituents in his district and that the funds he acquired had no impression on his actions as a lawmaker or because the Adams administration’s DOB head.
“He referred to as businesses to seek out out the place issues stood, he pushed issues towards a choice. It’s not against the law.” David J. Cohen, the legal professional representing Ulrich, mentioned.
One other one of many indictments, which named Marcal Group’s Mark Caller as a co-defendant alleging that he offered Ulrich a reduced residence for assistance on a zoning change, was tossed earlier this 12 months.
The trial is anticipated to final a month, in line with a spokesperson for the DA’s workplace. Proof from wiretaps and different surveillance of Ulrich is about to be heard as proof through the trial.
Ulrich’s alcoholism and playing have been talked about often by legal professionals on each side, offering a backdrop for the frequent funds he acquired to cowl his behavior at Resorts World On line casino and on the Livreri-owned 89th Road Cafe the place he frequently performed playing cards and slot-style video games.
“Eric Ulrich was a gambler, a gambler who borrowed cash from almost everybody who he knew,” Cohen mentioned. “The proof will present there are two separate truths about the identical man and neither one is against the law … A younger man who constructed his political profession from nothing doesn’t throw it away by accepting bribes, particularly from his two closest associates on the time.”
What we’re occupied with: Is Ulrich’s case the bellwether for the opposite indictments swirling round Adams administration allies? Let me know at ben.miller@therealdeal.com.
A factor we’ve discovered: The Knicks dwelling opener in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday is formally the most costly NBA season-opening recreation in historical past on the secondary ticket market, with the bottom value on StubHub coming in at $1,063, in line with the New York Post. Good time to supply Karl-Anthony Cities the utmost to increase his contract and maintain the champs collectively.
Elsewhere…
— The town introduced RICO expenses in opposition to private damage legislation agency Asher & Associates on Monday, marking the primary time town has used federal racketeering statutes to crack down on staged accidents and accidents, Gothamist reported. Metropolis attorneys hope the go well with acts as a warning to different companies submitting phony or frivolous claims.
— The residential reimagining of a city-owned web site at 100 Gold Road, which EDC tapped GFP Actual Property to redevelop, could possibly be the densest residence constructing within the nation at 4,000 items throughout two towers, in line with The City Reporter. The location is presently dwelling to the Division of Housing Preservation and Improvement and different businesses, together with a senior heart. Council member Christopher Marte supported the 100 Gold redevelopment on the situation that town not pursue a hotly contested plan to construct inexpensive housing on the location of the Elizabeth Road Backyard, which has been dropped.
— Federal authorities have been investigating one other high Adams administration official, Frank Carone, to see whether or not he took $600,000 in bribes from greater than a dozen non-public corporations, Politico reported, citing newly disclosed courtroom filings.
Closing time
Residential: The most costly residential sale recorded Monday was $9.7 million for 42 Wooster Road, 3SO. The Soho apartment unit is 4,500 sq. toes. Sotheby’s International Realty’s Mark Mistovich, Daniela Sassoun, Karin Dauch and Pier DeMarco had the itemizing.
Industrial: The most costly business transaction was $17.5 million for 2185 Coyle Road. The Sheepshead Bay constructing is assessed as a one-story retail constructing with 30,000 sq. toes of gross flooring space.
New to the Market: The very best value for a residential property hitting the market is $27 million for 25 Bond Road, Unit 5. The Noho apartment is 6,500 sq. toes. Compass’ Marcy Grau and Ellen Cohen have the itemizing.
Breaking Floor: The biggest new constructing allow filed was for a proposed 228,256-square-foot, 16-story, mixed-use constructing at 37-25 twenty first Road in Dutch Kills, Queens. Mark Ginsberg of Curts + Ginsberg Architects is the applicant of document.
— Joseph Jungermann
