President of New York correction officers' union arrested on fraud charges

The charges are connected to the ongoing corruption investigation into Mayor Bill de Blasio's campaign fundraising

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Federal authorities have arrested the influential leader of New York’s correctional officers’ union on fraud charges, the first major criminal case connected to the investigation of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign fundraising.

Norman Seabrook, who has served as the president of the 9,000 member Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, is accused of taking $60,000 (£41,271) in kickbacks from Murray Huberfeld - also charged in the case - in exchange for directing $20m (£13.7m) in pensions funds to Platinum Partners, a hedge-fund founded by Mr Huberfeld, NBC New York reported.

Both Mr Seabrook - who has served as president of the union for 21 years - and Mr Huberfeld were arrested Wednesday morning. They are formally charged with honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.

The two men were reportedly introduced to each other in 2013 by Jona Rechnitz, a fundraiser for the de Blasio campaign. Mr Rechnitz has been a central figure in the ongoing investigation into possible corruption in the campaign.

The New York Times reports that Mr Rechnitz, who pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy charges, is expected to cooperate fully with investigators “in the hopes of obtaining leniency when he is sentenced”.

“Norman Seabrook has spent his life fighting for correction officers. One should not expect him to stop fighting now,” said Mr Seabrook’s lawyer.

Mr Seabrook had previously been accused of using pension funds to invest in the fund without board approval by William Valentin, a correction officer who had reportedly made a move to become union president.

The Times had found that Mr Seabrook had enough influence among New York City’s political elite that he effectively stymied any chances of reform at the notoriously violent Rikers Island prison complex.

When five officers were convicted of first-degree attempted gang assault on a Rikers inmate - which left him with two fractured eye sockets - Mr Seabrook vehemently decried the verdict.

“Today’s verdict is an absolute travesty and yet another example of how correction officers are treated differently and disrespected for doing the job they are sworn to do: protect New Yorkers,” Mr Seabrook said.

Bronx district attorney Darcel D Clark, however, said the verdict was a victory for preservation of human rights of inmates.

“A Bronx jury has sent a clear message that a uniform and a badge does not absolve anyone from committing a crime,” she said, “and that even a criminal behind bars deserves to be treated like a human being.”