Labor

Head Of Country’s Biggest Police Union Faces Criminal Charges

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President of New York City’s Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, Norman Seabrook, was arrested Wednesday morning at his home in the Bronx, following a probe into the finances of the police union.

Seabrook, long-time head of the New York City law enforcement union, was arraigned for corruption charges. Investigators contend Seabrook took tens of thousands of dollars worth of bribes and a $820 Ferragamo bag from Murray Huberfeld, founder of a credit management company. In return for the kickbacks, Seabrook had to steer more than $20 million of his union’s pension money to Platinum Credit Management’s investment fund, which was led by Huberfeld.

Huberfeld was also arrested Wednesday morning and will be Seabrook’s co-defendant in the upcoming case.

“The criminal complaint charges both men with one count of honest services wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud,” according to the New York Times.

Seabrook has close ties with city officials, mayors, and governors as the leader of a 9,000-member police union.

Seabrook is widely known to have a relationship with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The mayor called Seabrook a “great leader” and a “friend” during a fundraiser in 2014. The accusations levied against Seabrook and Huberfeld do not directly involve de Blasio.

Seabrook additionally has a connection with New York businessman Jeremiah Reichberg, who is also under investigation by the FBI for giving gifts to Seabrook.

Seabrook, who is known for his extravagant tastes, has been unsuccessfully sued by both former and current union employees.

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