Smooth Sailing

A mistrial was declared Friday in the corruption trial of City Councilman Larry Seabrook.

“We the jurors remain deadlocked on all counts,” Jury foreman Frank DiBrino wrote in an earlier note on Thursday afternoon, according to the Wall Street Journal. “Many of the jurors need to return to work Monday due to financial hardships as well as hardships to their employers.”

The jury, which deliberated in Federal District Court in Manhattan for over a week for a trial that took three weeks, told the judge, Robert P. Patterson Jr., in a note late on Thursday that it remained deadlocked on all 12 counts in the indictment.

Seabrook was infamously charged with doctoring a receipt for a $7 bagel and beverage to $177, but defense lawyers for the career politician said the receipt didn't have Seabrook's name on it and no proof could be made that it was his handwriting.

Shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, jurors distributed another note that the judge read aloud in court, the New York Times reported. “We the jury have continued to deliberate and looked at additional evidence,” the note said. “However, we remain deadlocked on all counts and it appears we will remain deadlocked."

Prosecutors now must decide if they wish to seek another trial.

The counts against Seabrook included fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and other charges. He was accused of steering money to family and friends through non-profits he set up and also of receiving illegal kickbacks for helping a Bronx-based boiler company land a contract at Yankee Stadium. Had he been convicted, he would have faced up to 20 years in prison on each of a number of the charges, and would have lost his Council seat.

Diaz Reacts To Rivera News, Seabrook Still In?

After yesterday's big announcement that neither City Councilman Joel Rivera or his father, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, would be entering the race for borough president, I reached out to Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, who is now the clear front-runner for the seat, for some reaction.

“I’ve always maintained that my candidacy was about the people of The Bronx, and not predicated on any other candidate," said Diaz, who added that he expected the team he has built and his support from all over the borough to lead him to victory on April 21.

Yesterday, I also reported that City Councilman Larry Seabrook had declined to run as well, confirmation of which came from Rivera spokesman Mike Nieves.

According to Liz Benjamin, Nieves might have spoken too soon. Seabrook's chief of staff Cleveland Beckett told Benjamin that his boss was still in the race and was circulating petitions.

As for challengers from other corners, Anthony Ribustello also told me this morning that the news about the Riveras was not affecting his candidacy, and that he would continue to collect signatures to qualify for the ballot.

--John DeSio

Neither Rivera, Nor Seabrook, In Special Election

For two days a number of rumors have swirled around The Bronx regarding the fate of the candidacy of City Councilman Joel Rivera in the upcoming special election. Rumors included reports of petitions that listed the councilman's father, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, as the candidate rather than his son.

Now, we have some clarity as to what's happening here in The Bronx. Mike Nieves, a spokesman for the Rivera clan, has confirmed to both myself and Bob Kappstatter of the Daily News that neither of the two Riveras, nor City Councilman Larry Seabrook, will be running for borough president.

“Neither Jose nor Joel Rivera are running for borough president, and Councilman Larry Seabrook also confirms to us that he is not running,” said Nieves. “The Riveras wish whatever candidates are in the race good luck.”

Nieves added that the Riveras' were not pushing any other candidate into the race.

"From our side, that's it," said Nieves.

--John DeSio

GOP's Ribustello In For SpecElec

Anthony J. Ribustello, actor, activist and Republican district leader from Throggs Neck, has confirmed that he will be a candidate in the upcoming special election for borough president.

Ribustello joins a field that includes Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera, and possibly Councilman Larry Seabrook and

"I'm a lifelong Bronx resident, and I care about the community," said Ribustello.

Ribustello, who has been active in his community for years, said his campaign would focus on protecting services for Bronx youth and seniors, as well as preserving The Bronx as a haven for the middle class.

In addition to his political work, Ribustello is an actor, best known for his role as Dante Greco, one of Tony's top guys, on The Sopranos.

--John DeSio

Video: Dinowitz, Press, Speak On Behalf Of Diaz

Here is some video of this evening's meeting of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club. First, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz speaks in support of Assemblyman Ruben Diaz's campaign for borough president.

Something worth noting: At about 0:40 in the video City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell states that his colleague, Larry Seabrook, has told him he is "likely" to run himself.



Next, Robert Press, vice chairman of the Committee of 100 Democrats, does the same.



--John DeSio

Senator Serrano Not In The Race

While we have confirmation that Assemblyman Ruben Diaz and City Councilman Joel Rivera (and maybe Israel Ruiz and Larry Seabrook) will be involved in the upcoming special election, we've also been working to track down answers from anyone else who has ever been considered for that job.

With that in mind, I got a hold of Brian Levinson, spokesman for State Senator Jose M. Serrano, to ask if his boss was interested in pursuing the seat. There was a time not too long ago when Serrano, the son of Congressman Jose Serrano, was considered to be a front-runner for the seat himself.

Levinson informs us that Senator Serrano is staying out of the special election, which comes as no real surprise to us at this point. Levinson added that the senator was unsure what his involvement would be regarding his involvement in the race.

"The Senator is not running, and he's not sure right now to what extent he'll get involved in the race," said Levinson.

Who's In, Who's Out?

Yesterday, Liz Benjamin at the Daily News wrote a piece that cast a bit of shadow on the presumably inevitable campaign of City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera in the upcoming special election.

Benjamin asked Assemblyman Jose Rivera, the councilman's father, about his son's presumed campaign, and later if he might run himself. In both cases, Assemblyman Rivera offered some cryptic responses, and confirmed nothing.

I have also heard from a number of sources that Councilman Rivera may not run for borough president. But I've also heard directly from the councilman that he would run. Until I hear otherwise, I'll take the councilman's word for it.

In related news, the loudest rumor of the day is that another City Councilman, Larry Seabrook, is seriously considering a run in the special election. I haven't heard from Seabrook's camp yet to firm this up or shoot it down.

"As far as I know, that is only a rumor," said Seabrook spokesperson Alison Crouch, who said she would get back to me with more info if she had it.

--John DeSio