Councilman Larry Seabrook Found Guilty of Fraud

NEW YORK—Two years after he was charged, City Councilman Larry B. Seabrook was found guilty Thursday of committing monetary fraud through his non-profit organizations. 

Seabrook, 61, had been giving hundreds of thousands of dollars of city money to his relatives, friends, and girlfriend for at least seven years, according to the New York Times. A federal jury in Manhattan convicted Seabrook on 9 of the 12 counts he faced, such as wire and mail fraud. Some counts can carry up to 20 years each the New York Times reported. 

“Councilman Larry Seabrook abused the power of his office to influence public contracts and to fund his own corrupt friends and family plan,” Preet Bharara, the United States attorney in Manhattan, said in a statement.

“Today’s conviction ensures that the Councilman will pay for betraying the public trust,” Bharara said. “Rooting out public corruption and restoring the public’s faith in honest government remains a vital mission of this office.”

Edward D. Wilford, a lawyer for Seabrook, said in closing arguments reported by the New York Times that his client had “good ideas” to benefit the Bronx. 

“Unfortunately, the people that he hired to run those programs had a different agenda; their agenda was to steal, rob and pillage,” Wilford said. 

Seabrook was initially charged in February 2010. He is a former assemblyman and state senator, and had served on the City Council since 2002, representing communities such as Co-op City, Baychester and Williamsbridge. 

Following his conviction, Seabrook automatically loses his place on the council. A special election to fill his District 12 position is likely to be held within the next two months, the New York Times reported. 

Seabrook’s sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2013.

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