The legal investigation in opposition to the previous New York Metropolis Division of Buildings commissioner has reached its remaining levels, with fees anticipated as early as this week, in response to three individuals with data of the investigation.
Commissioner Eric Ulrich resigned in November shortly after investigators from the Manhattan District Lawyer’s workplace confiscated his cell phone and questioned him the following day. The investigation continued after his resignation, with prosecutors specializing in bribery offenses dedicated whereas Mr. Ulrich was nonetheless in workplace.
As a part of the investigation, prosecutors checked whether or not he obtained a below-market hire for the house, individuals acquainted with it mentioned, in addition to a settee given to him or offered at a reduction by somebody who had a enterprise earlier than the execution. division.
The consultant of the regional prosecutor’s workplace declined to remark. Ulrich’s legal professional, Samuel M. Braverman, mentioned that till he knew what was within the indictment, he wouldn’t remark.
“Every thing anybody is saying is simply hypothesis and doubtless with out benefit, so I will be ready for an indictment,” mentioned Mr. Braverman, who handles the protection on the regulation agency Anderson Kill.
The progress of the investigation was first reported by The Day by day Information.
The investigation into Mr. Ulrich, 38, is the newest stain on a division that has lengthy been tormented by corruption scandals. The company inspects all buildings in New York Metropolis to make sure they adjust to guidelines and codes, and critiques and approves new growth plans.
Within the Sixties, Mayor John W. Lindsay’s Division of Buildings commissioner was so pissed off by allegations of corruption and bribery that he recommended that his inspectors subject uniforms with out pockets.
Ulrich was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in Might 2022 as division head, regardless of his admitted alcohol and playing dependancy and a letter he wrote 4 years earlier on behalf of a mafia-connected voter. Prosecutors working for District Lawyer Alvin L. Bragg had been initially considered wanting into Mr. Ulrich’s potential playing and arranged crime hyperlinks, and it isn’t clear once they started to deal with potential bribery.
When Mr. Ulrich stepped down final 12 months, the mayor declined to touch upon the investigation.
Mr. Adams mentioned he revered the choice and wished Mr. Ulrich and his household the most effective, however didn’t touch upon the investigation, saying he “doesn’t take the reviews which can be within the media as what actually occurred.”
In a Fb submit in January, Mr. Ulrich introduced that he had not too long ago grow to be a licensed insurance coverage dealer.
Susan S. Beachy contributed to analysis.
