Correction officers union president Norman Seabrook arrested
NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested longtime Correction Officers' Benevolent Association president Norman Seabrook at his home in the Bronx Wednesday morning.
Investigators have been looking into the financial records and other documents of the powerful union representing New York City's 9,000 jail guards, the union's president and its law firm since May 2015.
A criminal complaint says that in return for kickbacks, Seabrook agreed to "direct transfers of millions of dollars" in union retiree benefit and operating funds to hedge fund manager Murray Huberfeld of Platinum Partners, L.P.
It says Huberfeld used an intermediary to pay Seabrook an initial kickback of $60,000 in cash. In 2014, Seabrook directed a total of $20 million of union money to Platinum.
Seabrook was allegedly steered to the fund by Joana Rechnitz, a fundraiser for Mayor Bill de Blasio, reported the Wall Street Journal.
Murray Huberfeld, the fund’s former head, was also arrested Wednesday, reported the NY Post.
The U.S. attorney's office announced a news conference in Manhattan later Wednesday to discuss the charges.
The busts come as the feds probe allegations of corruption including receiving gifts in exchange for favors among high-ranking NYPD officials and City Hall.
De Blasio’s campaign fundraising is part of the investigation.
With the Associated Press