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N.Y.C. Buildings Chief Resigns as Prosecutors Examine Gambling Ties N.Y.C. Buildings Chief Resigns as Prosecutors Examine Gambling Ties
(about 4 hours later)
The commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings resigned on Thursday, a day after being questioned by prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office who are investigating him for possible organized crime ties and illegal gambling.The commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings resigned on Thursday, a day after being questioned by prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office who are investigating him for possible organized crime ties and illegal gambling.
The resignation of Eric Ulrich, a former Republican city councilman, was confirmed by a spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams. The resignation of Eric Ulrich, 37, a former Republican city councilman from Queens, was confirmed by a spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams.
“This morning, Eric Ulrich tendered his resignation as D.O.B. commissioner in an effort to, in his words, avoid ‘unnecessary distraction for the Adams administration,’” the spokesman, Fabien Levy, said in a statement.“This morning, Eric Ulrich tendered his resignation as D.O.B. commissioner in an effort to, in his words, avoid ‘unnecessary distraction for the Adams administration,’” the spokesman, Fabien Levy, said in a statement.
“We have accepted his resignation, appreciate him taking this step, and wish him well,” Mr. Levy added. “We have no further knowledge of any investigation and, out of respect for his and his family’s privacy, have nothing further to add.”“We have accepted his resignation, appreciate him taking this step, and wish him well,” Mr. Levy added. “We have no further knowledge of any investigation and, out of respect for his and his family’s privacy, have nothing further to add.”
A spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to comment.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Mr. Ulrich was under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office and had his cellphone seized.The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Mr. Ulrich was under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office and had his cellphone seized.
The investigation is focused at least in part on gambling and organized crime activity at Aldo’s, a pizzeria in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The broader scope of the investigation was not immediately clear, but it is focused at least in part on gambling and organized crime activity at Aldo’s, a pizzeria in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
Investigators were examining the possibility that Mr. Ulrich, either as a councilman, as a senior adviser to the mayor or as buildings commissioner, may have used his influence on behalf of mob associates. Investigators were examining the possibility that Mr. Ulrich may have used his influence on behalf of mob associates while he was either a Queens councilman, a senior adviser to the mayor or buildings commissioner.
In 2018, when he was in the City Council, Mr. Ulrich wrote a letter on official stationery in support of a constituent, a reputed Bonanno crime associate who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges for collection of an unlawful gambling debt, court records show. It is unclear if the letter is part of the investigation. Mr. Ulrich met with prosecutors at the office of the Manhattan district attorney for several hours on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the matter said. A spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office declined to comment.
Mr. Ulrich met with prosecutors at the office of the Manhattan district attorney for several hours on Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the matter said. Neither Mr. Ulrich nor one of his lawyers could immediately be reached for comment, and he has not been accused of any wrongdoing. One of the owners of Aldo’s, Anthony Livreri, who took over the establishment in 2018, declined to comment on the allegations.
He has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Neither Mr. Ulrich nor one of his lawyers could immediately be reached for comment. One of the owners of Aldo’s, Anthony Livreri, who took over the establishment in 2018, declined to comment on the allegations. The restaurant, and its predecessor at the same address, have had frequent interactions with city mob lore. A racketeering and gambling case two decades ago brought by the Queens district attorney linked Aldo’s to a Gambino crime family captain named Ronald Trucchio, who went by the moniker Ronnie One Arm for his withered right limb. And in the 1980s, it was the site of a notorious 14-hour lunch attended by the then Queens district attorney, a senior police official and several men tied to the mob.
Hours before the meeting began on Wednesday, the mayor defended his commissioner, whom he appointed in May to head the Buildings Department, which has long been plagued by recurring corruption scandals. Mr. Adams’s choice of Mr. Ulrich came despite his admitted alcohol and gambling addictions, and his having written the letter in support of the convicted mob figure. According to campaign finance reports, Mr. Ulrich has spent at least $6,500 at Aldo’s. The bulk of the spending, $5,000, came during his unsuccessful 2019 campaign for public advocate.
Mr. Adams said that city officials were unaware of the investigation involving Mr. Ulrich until reporters began calling. Hours before Mr. Ulrich’s meeting with prosecutors began on Wednesday, the mayor defended his commissioner, whom he appointed in May to head the Buildings Department, which has long been plagued by recurring corruption scandals.
“We had no idea. We got notified like you did,” Mr. Adams said Wednesday at an unrelated news conference at City Hall. “Reporters were calling the team, that’s when I became aware of this.” Mr. Adams’s choice of Mr. Ulrich came despite his admitted alcohol and gambling addictions, and his having written a letter in 2018 on official stationery in support of a constituent, Robert Pisani, a reputed Bonanno crime associate who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges for collection of an unlawful gambling debt, court records show.
Brendan McGuire, the chief legal counsel for Mr. Adams, said on Wednesday that Mr. Ulrich had undergone a background check through the city’s Department of Investigation.
Though the agency may flag issues in a candidate’s background, Mr. Adams still makes the final decision about whether the person should be hired. The results of the investigation are not shared with the public.
“Needless to say, this administration takes very seriously what turns up in those D.O.I. background checks,” Mr. McGuire said. “And we have, in the past, taken action when necessary based on what those investigations find.”
The Department of Investigation, which focuses on possible crimes and corruption committed by city employees, has not been involved in the current inquiry, which, if it does focus on Mr. Ulrich’s time on the City Council or working for the mayor, would be unusual.
Mr. Ulrich took a personal day on Tuesday when his phone was seized and again on Wednesday when he met with prosecutors, city officials said. The former commissioner sent an email to the mayor’s team announcing his decision.Mr. Ulrich took a personal day on Tuesday when his phone was seized and again on Wednesday when he met with prosecutors, city officials said. The former commissioner sent an email to the mayor’s team announcing his decision.
“He communicated with the team and made the determination for the good of not distracting the city, and to deal with the review that’s taking place now, he made that decision,” Mr. Adams said Thursday at a news conference.“He communicated with the team and made the determination for the good of not distracting the city, and to deal with the review that’s taking place now, he made that decision,” Mr. Adams said Thursday at a news conference.
Mr. Adams said he respected the decision and wished Mr. Ulrich and his family well but had no comment about the investigation.Mr. Adams said he respected the decision and wished Mr. Ulrich and his family well but had no comment about the investigation.
“I do not take reports that are in the media as what actually took place,” the mayor said. “I have not heard from the reviewing body. They have not communicated to me, so I don’t know what the allegations are.”“I do not take reports that are in the media as what actually took place,” the mayor said. “I have not heard from the reviewing body. They have not communicated to me, so I don’t know what the allegations are.”
Mr. Adams has hired several executives, department heads and deputy mayors with troubled pasts and has stood by his decision to give them a second chance. Asked about his stance on Mr. Ulrich’s position on Wednesday, Mr. Adams said that it was “too early” to make personnel decisions based on what was known about the investigation.Mr. Adams has hired several executives, department heads and deputy mayors with troubled pasts and has stood by his decision to give them a second chance. Asked about his stance on Mr. Ulrich’s position on Wednesday, Mr. Adams said that it was “too early” to make personnel decisions based on what was known about the investigation.
The mayor has hired several supporters from his campaign to prominent positions, including Peter Koo, a former City Council member who became a senior adviser, and Ydanis Rodriguez, another former Council member who became transportation commissioner.The mayor has hired several supporters from his campaign to prominent positions, including Peter Koo, a former City Council member who became a senior adviser, and Ydanis Rodriguez, another former Council member who became transportation commissioner.
“This is old-school New York City politics where you give allies and friends patronage jobs,” said John Kaehny, the executive director of Reinvent Albany, a good-government group. “Our concern: Is he hiring the best person for the job or are they getting the job because they are a friend and ally?”“This is old-school New York City politics where you give allies and friends patronage jobs,” said John Kaehny, the executive director of Reinvent Albany, a good-government group. “Our concern: Is he hiring the best person for the job or are they getting the job because they are a friend and ally?”
Kazimir Vilenchik, the first deputy buildings commissioner, will serve as the interim commissioner. Pierina Ana Sanchez, a councilwoman from the Bronx who is chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, said the city must ensure that Mr. Ulrich’s resignation does not interrupt the agency’s work.
“While I am not aware of the details of this investigation, I respect Eric Ulrich for stepping down and allowing the agency to continue its vital work,” Ms. Sanchez said.