Councilman Larry Seabrook, who has been a member of the city council since 2002, has reportedly been under intensive investigation by the U.S. Attorney and the city's Department of Investigation.
NEW YORK (WPIX)—
A Bronx City Councilman surrendered Tuesday to city and federal officials in Manhattan to face a 13-count indictment on charges of fraud, extortion, and money laundering as part of a probe into a public slush fund scandal.Councilman Larry Seabrook, who has been a member of the city council since 2002, has reportedly been under intensive investigation by the U.S. Attorney and the city's Department of Investigation.
Prosecutors claim that from 2002 through 2009, Seabrook attempted to direct at least $2.5 million of council discretionary funds to non-profit organizations that he was in charge of, including the Northeast Bronx Community Democratic Club and the Bronx African-American Chamber of Commerce.
According to the indictment, Seabrook inflated the expenses of community groups, including rent payments, and then proceeded to give the difference to family members and associates. In addition, he is accused of fudging receipts by inflating the price of items purchased.
Seabrook also allegedly shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees to his family -- including his girlfriend, his brother, sisters and nephews. He is also accused of directing $50,000 to himself from a Bronx boiler company.
Seabrook, who is also a former state assemblyman, surrendered at the Department of Investigation in Council Speaker Christine Quinn is shocked over the allegations.
"All of us in the City Council take the deeply troubling allegations against Council Member Larry Seabrook very seriously," Quinn said.
