By Kaja Whitehouse, Shawn Cohen and Bruce Golding
June 10, 2016
The longtime head of the city correction officers union was ousted Thursday, a day after the feds arrested him on charges he took a $60,000 kickback — with the promise of more — to steer $20 million in pension money to a risky hedge fund.
The move against Norman Seabrook followed years of abuses that include blowing members’ money on pricey tickets to Jay Z concerts and sporting events, according to a union rival who helped Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara build a case against him.
Seabrook was replaced as president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association by Elias Husamudeen, formerly first vice president, in an emergency board meeting, sources said.
“We are saddened and concerned by these allegations but would point out that Mr. Seabrook is innocent of these charges until proven otherwise,” Husamudeen said later.
Correction Officer William Valentin, who has two lawsuits pending against Seabrook and the union for keeping him off the ballot for president, said Seabrook routinely had union treasurer Michael Maiello buy him blocks of tickets to concerts by Jay Z and Justin Timberlake and luxury-box seats to see the Yankees and Mets.
Seabrook then doled out the ducats to his daughters, “political friends” and random correction officers working at Rikers Island, Valentin said. Seabrook would stroll around the sprawling jail complex “like he was Big Willy,” saying: “Here are two tickets to see Jay Z. Take your wife. Norman Seabrook loves you,” Valentin alleged. “Little did they realize he just took their money and gave those tickets to everybody and their mother,” Valentin said.
Valentin said federal prosecutors called him in for an interview shortly after he first filed suit in January 2015 and discussed allegations that Seabrook had improperly invested union funds with the Platinum Partners hedge fund.
A Platinum founder, Murray Huberfeld, was arrested along with Seabrook. Both men are charged with conspiracy and honest-services fraud and face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
Valentin wouldn’t reveal what he told the feds but said he believes he is referenced in a wiretapped call that took place on Feb. 4, 2015.
Seabrook’s lawyer didn’t immediately return requests for comment, and a union spokesman declined to comment on Maiello’s behalf.
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