Embattled Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich, who previously resigned after being questioned in relation to an illegal gambling probe, surrendered to authorities on Sept. 13 on reported bribery charges.
Emil Cohen/NYC Council
Former city Buildings Department Commissioner Eric Ulrich surrendered at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in Lower Manhattan early Wednesday morning and is expected to be arraigned on bribery charges along with four other individuals, according to press reports.
Ulrich, a Republican former City Council member from Queens, surrendered at the prosecutors’ office shortly after 7 a.m. on Sept. 13, according to a report from the New York Times. He’s expected to face charges related to bribery, though the specifics of those accusations haven’t yet been revealed by the DA’s office, while the other four individuals are expected to be hit with charges for seeking favors from Ulrich in his official position as Buildings Commissioner.
One of those expected to be indicted alongside Ulrich, Mark Caller, is a real estate developer who allegedly rented a luxury apartment to the former Buildings commissioner at below market rate. Caller is reportedly donated nearly $50,000 to Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign.
Ulrich stepped down from his post in the Buildings Department last fall when prosecutors seized his cell phone in relation to the DA’s investigation into his alleged wrongdoing. Previously he had served as a senior advisor to Adams.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will hold a 1 p.m. news conference Wednesday alongside city Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber.
Ulrich’s attorney Samuel Braverman, in an email to amNewYork Metro, said “I have nothing to say until I see the charges.”
Kazimir Vilenchik replaced Ulrich as DOB boss in an acting capacity and Jimmy Oddo took over as his permanent successor in April.
Ulrich has mostly stayed out of the public eye since leaving the Adams…
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