Mayor Eric Adams’ former buildings commissioner is accused of accepting $150,000 worth of bribes in cash and gifts in exchange for access to the mayor and city officials, fixing city permitting issues, and giving jobs to unqualified people, according to five separate grand jury indictments handed down Wednesday.
Eric Ulrich and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty in Manhattan’s State Supreme Court.
“Eric Ulrich, we allege, monetized each elected and appointed role that he held in New York City government, each and every one,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a press conference ahead of the arraignment.
When asked about the mayor’s role, Bragg only noted that his office received “strong cooperation” from “City Hall in terms of making folks available.”
In an emailed statement, Adams’ spokesperson Charles Kretchmer said the mayor expects employees to follow strict ethical guidelines.
“The mayor has not received any requests from the Manhattan DA surrounding this matter and has never spoken to Mr. Ulrich about this investigation,” Kretchmer wrote.
According to the indictments, Ulrich arranged two meetings with Adams and various other meetings and calls with city officials.
Ulrich’s co-defendants include:
- Brothers Joseph Livreri and Anthony Livreri, who sought help passing building and health inspections
- Michael Mazzio, who sought towing contracts and a job for his daughter
- Mark Caller, who sought zoning changes and help expediting various permits
- Paul Grego, who sought building permits
- Victor Truta, who sought jobs for family members
In exchange, the grand jury alleged Ulrich received gambling money, season tickets to the New York Mets, a discount on a beachfront apartment, a bespoke suit and a painting from Franscio Poblet, an apprentice to Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali.
Bragg said there were no public safety risks created through any of Ulrich’s alleged bribes.
In a statement sent by text, Ulrich’s lawyer, Sam Braverman,…
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