Lower Manhattan (WABC) — Former New York City Building Commissioner Eric Ulrich was charged Wednesday in five separate indictments with taking more than $150,000 in bribes while serving in public office.
Ulrich, 38, is accused of abusing his power in every public service position he held — from New York City Councilman, to senior adviser to the New York City Mayor, and finally to DOB Commissioner — to benefit his friends and colleagues . in exchange for a bribe.
“We allege that Eric Ulrich accepted or solicited bribes worth more than $150,000 in less than two years to monetize every elected and appointed position he held in New York City government. “He allegedly used taxpayer-funded positions in New York City government at every possible opportunity,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Department commissioners, all just to line their own pockets.”
Ulrich resigned from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration in November after the district attorney’s office questioned him and seized his cell phone.
He was also charged in connection with six other people: pizza shop owners Joseph Livreri and Anthony Livreri; towing company owner Michael Mazzio; real estate developer Mark Caller ; Building Department filing representative Paul Grego and former corrections officer Victor Truta.
All of them face varying degrees of bribery charges.
According to court documents, since at least 2021, Ulrich solicited and received more than $150,000 in cash and gifts from multiple sources and failed to submit annual reports to the New York City Conflict of Interest Commission in every year he was required to file. Disclose revenue in financial disclosures. From 2017 to 2021, the Board of Directors was established by municipal law.
Ulrich’s attorney, Sam Braverman, said his client planned to plead not guilty at his arraignment later Wednesday.
Ulrich previously represented Queens on the City Council, first winning his seat in a 2009 special election.
(ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
ALSO READ | Hurricane Lee: Latest track, updates
———-
* Get Eyewitness News
* Follow us on YouTube
* More local news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Use the form below to send it to Eyewitness News. If you attach a video or photo, the terms of use apply.
