The New York Daily News
The ‘one witness’ in ex-correction union head Norman Seabrook’s corruption case is ‘serial liar’: defense lawyers
The star witness in the corruption case against former correction union boss Norman Seabrook is so sketchy, “you would not buy a used car” from him, defense lawyers said Tuesday.
Jona Rechnitz, a major donor to Mayor de Blasio who admitted to exchanging campaign contributions for perks, was the focus of opening statements in Seabrook’s trial in Manhattan Federal Court.
The former president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association stands accused of pushing $20 million in union pension funds to Murray Huberfeld’s now-defunct hedge fund, Platinum Partners, in exchange for $60,000 in December 2014. Huberfeld is on trial alongside Seabrook.
Prosecutors plan to use testimony from Rechnitz — the alleged bagman in the bribe — to prove Seabrook and Huberfeld, both 57, were in a corrupt scheme. Rechnitz allegedly delivered the cash kickback to Seabrook in an $820 Ferragamo valise.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin Bell said in his openings that Rechnitz was an ambitious “wheeler and dealer” who shelled out thousands on vacations and meals for public officials “in exchange for special help from his friends in high places.”
Bell also admitted Rechnitz didn’t tell the truth about his dirty dealings the first few times cops approached him for info, and that he had brokered a plea deal in exchange for testifying.
But Bell insisted Rechnitz eventually came clean, saying, “It’s hard to stick to a lie for so long.”
Lawyers for Seabrook and Huberfeld asked the jury to reject the story of Jona Rechnitz’s redemption.
Norman Seabrook says $20G was casino prize money, not bribes
Paul Shechtman, Seabrook’s lawyer, said Rechnitz is a “serial liar.”
“When this case is over, you would not buy a used car from Jona Rechnitz,” Shechtman said.
To impress the labor leader, Shechtman said, Rechnitz lied about owning expensive Downtown real estate and even pretended to own a rental yacht where he invited Seabrook and his family for several hours. Prior to that brief cruise in summer of 2014, Rechnitz went so far as to tell the crew to scrub the boat of any personal photos – and act as if he owned the vessel, Shechtman said.
Rechnitz’s lawyers declined to comment on their client’s credibility.
Embattled de Blasio donor to testify against Norman Seabrook
Prosecutors have said Rechnitz might testify as early as Wednesday.
The opening statements also rehashed Rechnitz’s extensive relationships with powerful New Yorkers.
Former NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks, who retired in 2014, introduced Seabrook to Rechnitz. The three traveled to the Dominican Republic in late 2013 – on Rechnitz’s dime.
When Rechnitz wanted a police escort to get home, he called up Banks, said Henry Mazurek, who represents Huberfeld. When he wanted something done in city government, Rechnitz called “a fellow by the name of Bill de Blasio on his personal cell phone,” Mazurek said.
Asked about the alleged ties, Benjamin Brafman, who represents Banks, said: “It is important to note that former Chief Banks has never been charged with any Criminal conduct whatsoever, nor has he even been disciplined during a 30-year career with the NYC Police department that can only be characterized as extraordinary.”
A spokesman for de Blasio did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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