McLaughlin sprung from the pokey

From the Queens Chronicle:

Brian McLaughlin is a free man.

The former Flushing assemblyman, who served six years for racketeering and other charges, was released Friday from Schuylkill Federal Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania.

He will remain on supervised release, under supervision of the Department of Probation for three years. Probation will also be monitoring his employment as part of his release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

McLaughlin, 62, was sentenced to a 10-year term, but in May a federal judge reduced the sentence as a reward for his cooperation with the government.

According to court papers, prosecutors said that his help, by wearing wires and taping conversations, assisted the government in putting away state Sen. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio of Ozone Park and David Rosen, CEO of the MediSys Health Network, which operates Flushing and Jamaica hospitals.

The judge also applauded McLaughlin for working as a counselor in prison for drug addicts and alcoholics.

Brian getting out early

From the NY Times:

There may have been more corrupt politicians in New York than former State Assemblyman Brian M. McLaughlin, even though he admitted stealing from his campaign, the state government, labor unions, even a Little League program in Queens.

But there may not be many who have cooperated with the government as fully as he has.

Mr. McLaughlin’s assistance, prosecutors said in court papers, helped them win convictions for bribery and corruption against State Senator Carl Kruger, Assemblyman Anthony S. Seminerio and David Rosen, the chief executive of the nonprofit MediSys Health Network.

Mr. McLaughlin also was the prosecution’s main witness against Santo Petrocelli Sr., an electrical contractor who pleaded guilty in 2009 to paying bribes for labor peace, those papers said.

On Wednesday, Mr. McLaughlin was rewarded for that cooperation when Judge Richard J. Sullivan of Federal District Court in Manhattan reduced his prison sentence to six years, from the original term of 10, the United States attorney’s office in Manhattan said.

Mr. McLaughlin has served nearly five years at a low-security prison in Otisville, N.Y., and will most likely receive time off for good behavior, his lawyer, Michael F. Armstrong, said. He will be eligible for release this year.

Julia has the last laugh

From the Daily News:

Julia Harrison is having the last laugh.

These days Harrison, 91, smiles as her enemies twist slowly in the wind as she gazes from her fourth-floor co-op on Union St. in Flushing.

“Every dog has his day,” Harrison says. “In 2000, John Liu, the arrogant little pup, walked into my living room here and announced that my political career was over. I showed him the door.”

Today Liu is in the middle of a federal campaign finance investigation, dashing his mayoral dreams and threatening his political future. Meanwhile Harrison was recently reelected as Democratic female district leader from AD 22 Part B.

“I don’t mean to gloat,” Harrison says, “but I won’t say I’m not enjoying it.”

“The holier-than-thou assemblyman who led the march on City Hall demanding my resignation was Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin,” she says. “Today he’s doing 10 years in a federal pen for corruption, including stealing $90,000 from a Little League. The other self-righteous hypocrite who tried to end my career is Alan Hevesi, who got caught stealing public money. He’s also doing time.”

Mrs. McLaughlin wants to keep Brian's loot

From the NY Post:

The feds say the wife of disgraced ex-pol Brian McLaughlin doesn’t deserve any money from the sale of the couple’s luxury Long Island home because their lavish lifestyle should have clued her in to his epic $3.1 million corruption scheme.

In court papers, prosecutors allege that Eva McLaughlin “had every reason to know of [Brian’s] criminal activity -- especially given their general spending and the circumstances surrounding the property’s purchase.”

The Manhattan federal court filing also notes that “the amount of net proceeds” from the four-bedroom, Nantucket-style home in Nissequogue “is less than the criminal proceeds that went into the property.”

Eva -- who left Brian over reports of his philandering -- sued the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office for a share of the $1.2 million sale price on grounds that she’s an “innocent spouse” of the imprisoned former Democratic Queens assemblyman and labor leader.

Her suit says that she was “left almost penniless” after he forfeited their home and that she now struggles “every day with supporting me and my daughter.”

Where's the stolen loot?

From the Daily News:

The day disgraced Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin pleaded guilty to an astonishing array of corruption charges, he promised to pay back everybody he stole from - including a Queens Little League team.

That was two years ago.

Yet none of his victims - who are owed more than $845,000 - have been repaid.

That means $90,085 that should be sitting in the Electchester Athletic Association's Little League coffers isn't yet there.

"Any money that would go to the kids would be appreciated," Peggy Hackett, a team coach, said last week.

The team's lawyer said he has yet to receive a response to several letters sent to Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, whose office is responsible for doling out the cash.

"There's not been even a clue as to what's happening with the claim," lawyer Norman Rothfeld said.

Rothfeld said he's also trying to find out what happened to the $276,383 McLaughlin was ordered to repay the electrical workers union. McLaughlin also still owes $268,821 to the NY Central Labor Council, $32,274 to the state Assembly, $19,475 to a Queens political club and $153,939 to Welsbach Electric of College Point.

Our borough's proud achievement

From the Times Ledger:

Of the 13 legislators who left office due to scandal or ethical misconduct from 2005-10, nearly a quarter of them were from Queens, according to a report released Monday by good government group Citizens Union on turnover in the state Legislature.

The number of state legislators leaving office due to criminal charges or misconduct has tripled in the last six years compared to the six-year period from 1999-2004, the report found.

Former Flushing state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin was sent to prison on corruption charges and ex-Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio resigned in June 2009 after being indicted for corruption.

Erstwhile state Sen. Hiram Monserrate was kicked out of the Senate for cutting his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, with a broken glass.

While the report did not document the departures of statewide officials, former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi of Forest Hills resigned in 2006 over a scandal involving him having the State Police chauffeur his ailing wife.

From 2005-10, 13 lawmakers were booted from office due to criminal charges or misconduct while only four legislators left for the same reasons from 1999-2004, the report found.

Payback for Brian's mom

From the NY Post:

The feds have agreed to pay back the $145,000 that crooked ex-pol Brian McLaughlin scammed from his widowed mom.

Court papers filed yesterday say Manhattan federal prosecutors believe Ilene McLaughlin "will be able to establish by a preponderance of the evidence" that she didn't know the dough she loaned her wayward son would be forfeited as part of his corruption case.

The former Democratic assemblyman from Queens borrowed the money against his luxurious second home on Long Island's exclusive North Shore shortly before he was indicted in an epic, $3.1 million rip-off scheme.

McLaughlin is serving 10 years in the slammer for swindling taxpayers, political contributors, his former union and even his local Little League, from which he looted $95,000.

Brian cheated his mama

From the NY Post:

Crooked ex-politician Brian McLaughlin's mom has added her name to the list of victims in his epic, $3.1 million rip-off scheme.

Court papers filed by Ilene McLaughlin, 82, say she lost $145,000 that the former Queens assemblyman borrowed against his swanky second home on Long Island's exclusive North Shore.

The widowed granny, who lives in a modest co-op apartment in Flushing, says in her self-filed court documents that she handed over the dough in March 2006 but never got a nickel back.

Instead, the Democratic former labor leader forfeited all his proceeds when he sold the house for nearly $1.2 million two years later as part of the settlement of the racketeering case against him.

His mother's Manhattan federal court suit seeks to force the Justice Department to repay the entire mortgage, plus unspecified interest, "as stated in my contract."

The aging pensioner, who hung up on a reporter that called for comment, joins the lengthy list of marks that McLaughlin preyed on to bankroll a lavish lifestyle that included luxury cars, a country club and a string of mistresses.

Her son is currently serving 10 years in the slammer for swindling taxpayers, political contributors, union members and even his local Little League, from which he looted $95,000.

This apple didn't fall far from the tree...

Former labor leader's son busted in drug sting
By WILLIAM J. GORTA and KIRSTEN FLEMING, NY Post

The son of imprisoned former labor leader Brian Mclaughlin was arrested in a major drug takedown in Northern Queens today, authorities said.

Robert McLaughlin, 26, of Astoria — whose father is serving 10 years for scamming everyone from local Little Leaguers to his own union members to the tune of $3.1 million — was one of 31 mid level drug dealers arrested after a two-year operation dubbed "Operation Bad Medicine," DA Richard Brown said.

He was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and faces up nine years if convicted, authorities said.

Police raided eight residential locations throughout Whitestone, Astoria, Long Island City, Bayside and Forest Hills at 6 a.m., yesterday.

Investigators seized a veritable candy shop of high-end prescription painkillers, including xanax, hydrocodone, vicodin, ecstasy and percasets, cops said.

Police also recovered three loaded handguns, two cars, 18 pounds of marijuana and $11,350 in cash, cops said.

McLaughlin and the other suspects are expected to be arraigned tomorrow.

Just another cog in the Queens Machine

From New York Magazine:

...the favorite, Jose Peralta, hasn’t been convicted of anything, so that’s progress. But hold the cheers for now. One new senator isn’t going to fix the dysfunction, of course, yet Peralta’s path is depressingly typical of what helps keep state government mired in this mess. He began his political career working for Brian McLaughlin, the former assemblyman and labor union chieftain who two years ago pled guilty to stealing $3.1 million. Peralta was elected to the state assembly in 2002 and, like most of the Democrats in that body, he has been a dependable cog in Shelly Silver’s machine ever since. His bid to shift to the other chamber of the state legislature was only possible with the blessing of Congressman Joe Crowley, the Queens political boss; his campaign is backed by the unions — including the UFT, SEIU 1199, and 32BJ — who have the most clout in Albany; and Peralta’s campaign strategist is from the Parkside Group, a firm that is amassing a list of senate electoral clients nearly as long as its list of corporate lobbying clients.

Peralta has played the election game exactly right. Whether that benefits the public is a different matter. “The relationships I’ve nurtured over the years can help me build bridges in the legislature,” Peralta says. “And those unions supporting me represent actual people in my district, and it’s those people whose needs I’ll be protecting.”

Perhaps. “Jose is smart,” a fellow Queens Democrat says. “But he isn’t an improvement at all for the Senate as a whole. At least Hiram was at times an independent advocate. You won’t get that out of Jose.”

This week's Trib like syrup of ipecac

Shepard Fairey, it ain't.

This photo is just too perfect. Won't mess it up with unnecessary commentary.

A developer wishing Johnny his warm greetings...what a shock!

A self-certifier doing the same.

Gene's not looking like himself lately. Mainly because that photo is not of him. His name is Jim Rogers and he was the Vice Chair of CB11, not Board 7. He was Melinda Katz's "boyfriend" for many years.

Some priceless expressions on these 2 pusses.

Just when you think the Trib can't top itself...it does!

Petrocelli gets 3 months for bribing McLaughlin

From the NY Times:

Santo Petrocelli Sr., the former owner and chairman of a company that received millions of dollars to install and maintain city street lights and traffic signals, was sentenced on Monday to three months in prison for making tens of thousands of dollars in payments to Brian M. McLaughlin, the former assemblyman and union leader who is now serving a 10-year federal prison sentence for racketeering.

Mr. Petrocelli was a founder and owner of the Petrocelli Electric Company, based in Long Island City, Queens, which hired workers represented by Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, where Mr. McLaughlin was a business representative. Mr. Petrocelli, who is known as Sandy, was also sentenced to two years of supervised release. The sentence was issued by Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum of Federal District Court in Manhattan.

Mr. Petrocelli pleaded guilty on July 31 to one count of making illegal payments to a union official. He admitted that he knew the payments — not only cash, but also the use of a company car — were illegal.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Cedarbaum said she sought to discourage anyone “who may be tempted, as Mr. Petrocelli was tempted,” from “being drawn into supporting a corrupt union official over many, many years.”

How is a 3-month sentence discouraging?

Photo from the Daily News

Petrocelli pleads guilty to bribing Brian

From Crain's/AP:

An executive who led what was once one of the country's biggest electrical wiring companies pleaded guilty Friday to making secret payments to a disgraced New York labor boss.

Former Petrocelli Electric chairman and principal owner Santo Petrocelli Sr. told a judge in federal court in Manhattan that he gave bags of cash to Brian McLaughlin to keep peace with his work force.

Mr. McLaughlin, a former state assemblyman and head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, "asked for it," Mr. Petrocelli said. "He controlled all the labor."

Prosecutors had accused Mr. Petrocelli, of Clark, N.J., of paying thousands of dollars in bribes to Mr. McLaughlin over several years on projects that included a lucrative contract to maintain public street lights. He also admitted to arranging for Mr. McLaughlin to get free use of a company car for two months in 2004.

For years, Petrocelli Electric was New York City's biggest street light contractor, but it was shut out of city work two years ago after city and federal officials began investigating corruption and bid-rigging allegations. The company's offices in Queens were raided by the FBI in 2006.

"Throughout our successful history, Petrocelli Electric has constantly emphasized the qualities unique to American industry; honesty, integrity, innovation and the willingness to work hard for our clients." - the company's website

Brian behind bars

From the Queens Campaigner:

Disgraced former state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D-Flushing) was admitted to federal prison in Butner, N.C., Tuesday to begin serving a 10-year sentence for bilking millions from his constituents.

A spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed McLaughlin was admitted Tuesday morning to Butner Federal Correctional Complex, where McLaughlin is listed as prisoner 59431-054. The facility, which houses more than 4,500 inmates, is also the new home of fellow Queens native Madoff, who began serving a 150-year sentence earlier this month.

Unlike Madoff, however, the 57-year-old McLaughlin could easily see release in his lifetime. Federal guidelines require that he serve 85 percent of his 10-year sentence, which would make him eligible for release in early 2018.

No break for Brian

From the NY Post:

No summer break from jail for crooked ex-pol Brian McLaughlin.

The former Democratic assemblyman from Queens yesterday failed to put off his 10-year term for stealing $3.1 million from an array of victims that included his local Little League.

Manhattan federal Judge Richard Sullivan, who gave McLaughlin until 2 p.m. Tuesday to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons, denied his last-minute bid for postponement.

Brian sang an entire opera for the Feds

From the NY Post:

Crooked ex-pol Brian McLaughlin rolled over so far that he told the feds even more than they suspected about his crime spree.

The former Democratic assemblyman from Queens spilled his guts for "hundreds" of hours during debriefings that began in early 2007 and continue "to date," according to a May 19 letter from his lawyer, Michael Armstrong.

In another letter, prosecutor Daniel Braun wrote that the ex-labor leader's extensive cooperation assisted "ongoing criminal investigations focusing on significant allegations of corruption at all levels of government," as well as in unions and the construction industry.

Manhattan federal Judge Richard Sullivan allowed prosecutors to white out several sections to protect the identities of suspects who haven't yet been charged.

The shit might be about to hit the fan. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

McLaughlin gets 10 years

From the NY Times:

Brian M. McLaughlin, the former president of the nation’s largest municipal labor council, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $25,000 on Wednesday by a federal judge in Manhattan who said Mr. McLaughlin “so abused the trust of institutions and people who depended on him that it sort of staggers the mind.”

A document made public Wednesday shows Mr. McLaughlin has agreed to forfeit more than $3 million in illegal proceeds of his crimes.

Judge Sullivan ordered that Mr. McLaughlin, who remains free on bond, surrender to the authorities on July 21.

Little League to Brian: It's payback time!

From the NY Post:

The Queens Little League looted by disgraced ex-Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin wants payback.

The Electchester Athletic Association of Flushing wants $95,000 in restitution from McLaughlin, who has admitted stealing from its pint-sized players as part of his $2.2 million fraud scheme, according to federal court papers filed in Manhattan.

McLaughlin, a former labor leader and member of the state Assembly, had the Little League put funds into accounts controlled by his cohorts, who then turned the money over to him to cover various personal expenses.

Luck of the Irish may not apply to Brian

From the NY Post:

Crooked ex-pol Brian McLaughlin may get hammered harder than he expected.

Manhattan federal Judge Richard Sullivan yesterday warned he's considering an "upward departure" from sentencing guidelines that recommend eight to 10 years behind bars for the former labor leader and ex-Democratic assemblyman from Queens.

McLaughlin faces charges including racketeering that could send him away for 50 years.

Brian can't catch a break

CROOKED POL GOT HACK SACK
By Bruce Golding, NY Post

How the mighty have fallen.

Former labor leader and state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin -- awaiting sentencing May 14 in a massive corruption scam -- was reduced to working weekends as a cab and limo driver, until the TLC yanked his license.

In court papers filed yesterday, McLaughlin's lawyers said he's held a series of "long-hour and low-wage jobs" since his indictment for stealing more than $2 million to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself, his relatives and at least three mistresses.

He was laid off from his last job -- as a filter-plant laborer in The Bronx -- in January due to a "reduction in force," according to the Manhattan federal court filing.