NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on the retrial of New York City’s ex-jail guard union boss (all times local):
5:15 p.m.
A jury has been chosen to hear opening statements in the bribery retrial of New York City’s ex-jail guard union boss.
The second trial for Norman Seabrook likely will revive testimony by a cooperating witness who claims he manipulated Seabrook and he also contributed $100,000 to the city’s mayor in a bid to influence him.
Seabrook has pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted $60,000 in bribes to funnel $20 million in union funds to a hedge fund.
His lawyers and a spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, have called the cooperating witness a liar.
Seabrook’s first trial ended with a deadlocked jury. A new jury was chosen Wednesday. Opening statements are set to start first thing Thursday morning.
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12:07 a.m.
The bribery retrial of New York City’s longtime ex-jail guard union boss is set to begin with jury selection.
A jury deadlocked last year in the first trial of Norman Seabrook. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in his retrial on Wednesday.
The 58-year-old was arrested in 2016 on conspiracy and fraud charges.
Prosecutors say he accepted $60,000 in bribes in a $1,000 Ferragamo handbag to steer $20 million in union funds to a hedge fund.
His lawyers say he never took bribes and most of his cash resulted from gambling winnings.
Earning up to $300,000 annually, Seabrook led the New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association. In his powerful post, he was beloved by guards, feared by jail administrators and was approached delicately by city politicians.
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