Brian McLaughlin

Here’s Village Voice investigative reporter Wayne Barrett in City Hall today, saying that Christine Quinn shouldn’t necessarily be held responsible for the City Council's recent troubles.
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Here are a couple of events that got left off our list yesterday.

A new political club in Assemblyman Rory Lancman’s district - which used to be represented by Brian McLaughlin before he was implicated in a contract-rigging scandal - is having its first meeting tonight in Fresh Meadows, featuring as guest speaker Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

Another event happening tonight, unrelated, is the first in a series of planned New York City fund-raisers for Democratic Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, who defeated incumbent John Sweeney in a Republican-leaning district upstate and has been the target of Republican challenges ever since.

If you've got any others, feel free send them in or plug them in the comments section. Details for the Gillibrand fund-raiser are after the jump.  read more »

This year's Labor Day parade has been cancelled, according to The Chief.

The head of the Central Labor Council, Ed Ott, is quoted as saying the group felt it best "to remain focused on our organizational priorities and review the various observances of our Labor Day events as we consider how to march forward in the best way possible for workers."

The group did hold a parade last year, immediately after Ott's predecessor, Asssemblyman Brian McLaughlin, was indicted for misusing public money and steering contracts to allies.

"This shows there is new leadership," NYS AFL-CIO head Mario Cilento just told me. He denies McLaughlin's scandal had anything to to with this year's decision. He said around the time this year's parade would have been held, the group will instead honor labor workers by focusing on the health care needs of World Trade Center heroes and relevant legislation in Congress. That'll taje place on September 8th (more info on that after the jump, along with Ed Ott's statement).

Although it's not unprecedented for the parade to be canceled, it's the first so far to be done strictly for the sake of a legislative priority.

The parade was cancelled in 2001 because of the terrorists attacks, and in 2004 because the Republican National Convention was held in the City and, as Cilento said, "labor was squarely behind the Democratic candidate." But Cilento did say the parade was held more frequently in previous years.  read more »

Writing about the other scandal of the day, Blair Horner thinks the indictment of labor-leader and Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin "should be an indictment of Albany's political culture. A culture that is far more interested in maintaining a clearly ethically challenged status quo than working for change."

George Pataki is going to Harvard. For a speech.

In the exciting world of federal interest rates...nothing changed.

Grand Army Plaza gets some changes that should make pedestrians happy.

Alan Hevesi will be greeted by the Young Republicans outside the NY1 studios, and from every reporter in New York.

Ben notices an interesting headline swap after the same-sex/gay marriage ruling.

A reader emails to report that Charles Barron gave Jimmy Oddo an ovation because Oddo, the Republican minority leader on the council, criticized Rush Limbaugh.  read more »

And above is Alan Hevesi in happier times.

-- Azi Paybarah

Greg Smith had an interesting story the other day about one of the City Council members who got campaign funds funneled to him by indicted labor leader, Brian McLaughlin.

According to the massive indictment [pdf] against McLaughlin, here's how the plan worked: McLauglin got his friends and their wives to send $250 contributions which would qualify for the city's 4-to-1 matching fund program. Then, McLaughlin reimbursed the donors from a union-controlled back account.

One Council member who said they unknowingly got money from this scheme was Tony Avella of Queens, who came out of the McLaughlin's political club. But the indictment said there was a second Council member who - in all likelihood unknowingly - got contributions from this scheme too.

The contributions in question were made in the reporting period of 10/1/2005 and 01/12/2006. Thanks to the Campaign Finance Board's website, you can search for $250 contributions for 2005 Council candidates during that time period.

Councilman James Gennaro, whose district overlaps with McLaughlin's Assembly district, had 17 contributions that fit the search, but a lawyer for his campaign said Gennaro personally knows all those donors, and they're not connected to McLaughlin in any way.

Tom White, whose campaign advisor (and my old boss) worked closely with McLaughlin, got ten $250 contributions during that time. Including one from the Central Labor Council PAC. White's office said they would get back to me, and so far hasn't.

One person floated Dennis Gallagher's name, but he received 0 contributions that fit the description.

So, who is that other Council member?

-- Azi Paybarah

This may not be as exciting as the 186-page indictment of labor leader Brian McLaughlin, but the Ethics Commission report on Alan Hevesi's chauffeur scandal is worth a read.

From the report's conclusion:

"Given the clear directive in the Advisory Opinion, Mr. Hevesi was not entitled to substitute his judgment, or that of his staff, for the judgment of independent security personnel. Moreover, Mr. Hevesi's security claim appears pretextual. Mrs. Hevesi had very real health issues; she did not face any appreciable security risks. Acquafredda had no security background or training and had no significant communication with those assigned to provide security at the OSC. He was simply a driver and companion for Mrs. Hevesi.

and

There is no question that Mrs. Hevesi suffers from debilitating illnesses, and that those closest to her have genuine concerns for her welfare. But State employees may not use public resources to care for their loved ones. Surely, the State's Comptroller may not do so.

There's more on the report here, here and here.

All of which will only add to the speculation about who might replace Hevesi.

-- Azi Paybarah

The Central Labor Council just suspended the remainder of Brian McLaughlin's paid leave of absence, which was worth about $90,000, one source said.

Looks like labor leaders aren't waiting for a verdict.

Here is a statement from the CLC's executive committee, whose 32 members voted unanimously to cut its financial ties to McLaughlin:

"After careful consideration, the Central Labor Council Executive Board has decided to suspend the remainder of Brian McLaughlin's paid leave of absence, effective immediately. The Board's decision was based on the serious allegations in the indictment, which included financial impropriety involving assets of the Central Labor Council. "While respecting Mr. McLaughlin's presumption of innocence, the Board believes this action is appropriate at this time."

-- Azi Paybarah

Right now, the Democratic Caucus of the City Council - all but four members of the Council - is meeting in the members lounge. No doubt term limits will be on the agenda. (It's the air conditioning issue of the Council. You hear it buzzing in the background all the time, and when it stops, that's when things heat up.)

Another topic I'm sure be discussed is the contributions to 2005 council candidates made by the indicted labor leader and Queens Assemblyman, Brian McLaughlin.

Any flies in that caucus meeting, feel free to email me (apaybarah-at-observer.com).

UPDATE: That was fast. A person who attended the meeting said Brian McLaughlin and term limits were not discussed. Instead, the Caucus went over land use issues and other items coming up in next week's stated meeting. -- Azi Paybarah

Republicans everywhere are on the defensive about Iraq, a development that is bound to have a big impact on the GOP incumbents fighting for survival here in New York.

Eliot Spitzer and John Faso favor very, very different approaches to tax policy.

Alan Hevesi leads his opponent, and continues to duck him. The Post editors want the Albany DA investing Hevesi to hurry up.

Brian McLaughlin's wife and two lady friends think the former labor leader is innocent. Some of McLaughlin's constituents don't.

Jeanine Pirro threatened a Republican for supporting a Democrat.

Tonight's Alfred E. Smith Dinner at the Waldorf creates a seating nightmare for party planners.

Mike Bloomberg said the city has already paid its fair share of the CFE school funding decision, which is a different position than Eliot Spitzer has taken.

Tom Reynolds is optimistic about his own re-election and Republican's chances of keeping the House.

John Sweeney asked congress how he should report his 2001 trip a Pacific island paid for by a lobbyist working for Jack Abramoff.

Sue Kelly doesn't plan on attending many debates with her opponent.

John Maine is a hero, just as our John Koblin said he would be.

And the AP Daybook has a majestic typo:

10:30 a.m. City Council Speaker Christine Queen and Irish leaders calling for finalizing Northern Ireland peace process; steps of City Hall.

-- Azi Paybarah

Someone who read the 186-page indictment [pdf] of Brian McLaughlin points out that at least two City Council candidates benefited from one of McLaughlin's schemes:

McLaughlin described a plan to use $2,000 from the SLA account to compensate J Division members who would make $250 contributions, in the names of their wives, to the political campaigns of two candidates who were running for election to the New York City Council.

A spokeswoman for the City's Campaign Finance Board, Kate Schachern, emailed to say, "The CFB does not comment on criminal investigations."

Also, don't spend too much time fretting about the staffers McLaughlin fired and replaced with union buddies in exchange for a cut of their salary. Both are still employed.

Farouk Samaroo—who got a raise two days before McLaughlin fired him—worked on Shirley Huntley's successful state senate campaign. The other, Jeffrey Gotlieb, is now working with City Councilman Joseph Addabbo, chairman of the Labor Committee.

—Azi Paybarah

If you don't have time to read the 186-page indictment [pdf] against former Assemblyman and labor leader Brian McLaughlin, here are some highlights from the press release from the U.S. Attorney's office in the Southern District of New York:

McLaughlin "allegedly required certain J Division members to make monthly payments to McLAUGHLIN from proceeds that those workers obtained by selling scrap metal and other salvaged materials recovered during the course of their jobs."

He also had union members do personal work around the house like "changing light bulbs; hanging picture frames; shoveling snow; hanging Christmas lights...removing garbage...searching for and capturing rodents in McLAUGHLIN's basement..."

In a breech of State Assembly rules, "McLAUGHLIN allegedly created fictitious positions on his legislative staff and pocketed a share of the salary for one of the purported employees, and he also allegedly submitted false claims for reimbursement of his daily expenses."

And to round it off, he allegedly used "$19,000 from the Clinton Club for his own personal expenses, including rent at his residence in Albany, and the purchase and installation of a wide-screen plasma television at the home of a person with whom he maintained a personal relationship."  read more »

Denis Hughes, President, New York State AFL-CIO said, "Everyone should keep in mind that Brian McLaughlin has not been convicted of a crime and will be afforded the opportunity to respond to and defend himself against these allegations."

Update: Remember the Assembly candidate who had a tribute to Brian McLaughlin? Well, it's down now. It used to be posted here. That candidate, Rory Lancman, issued a statement about McLaughlin, which is after the jump. -- Azi Paybarah

This is a little awkward.

Morshed Alam, who is running for the assembly in Brian McLaughlin's Queens district against Rory Lancman, sent out literature noting that he was endorsed by Council Member Leroy Comrie.

That's fine, except for the fact that Comrie says it never happened. Here's what he says about it now:

"I haven't endorsed anybody in that race."

So why did this guy say you did?  read more »

"We served on the school board together. He's been calling me and begging me and calling me and asking me and calling me and asking me. I told him I'd try. But I was in the middle of budget process and wasn't thinking about anything else."

-- Josh Benson

Somebody at the Manhattan Institute (where they can’t decide whether they love labor unions or trial lawyers more) will appreciate this:

The Staten Island affiliate of the New York State Trials Lawyers Association, along with the state AFL-CIO, is hosting a "Trial Lawyer/Labor Breakfast" on Friday.

Guest of honor: Brian M. McLaughlin.

And, yes, it’s going to be held at the hotel managed by one Stanley Friedman.

I was kind of waiting for the Voice's Tom Robbins to weigh in with a definitive explanation what Central Labor Council chief Brian McLaughlin is actually accused of. He does that and throws in a mafia-ties bonus in this must-read online dispatch.

Here's his explanation of why McLaughlin would have been part of the alleged scheme:

Several of the contractors were involved in the city's streetlight program, where McLaughlin had enormous clout as a result of his role as a top official of Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. While most of his official union business centered on his Central Labor Council role, McLaughlin maintained control over a unit of the electrical workers' union whose members worked for the streetlighting contractors, sources said. By agreeing to reduce labor costs for favored contractors, McLaughlin was able to help steer awards to his pals, the sources said.

Robbins, whose judgement on this kind of thing is hard to match, writes as though the case against McLaughlin is pretty well nailed down.

A lot got written today about the alleged bid-rigging scheme that led to raids on Brian McLaughlin's offices yesterday, none of it getting far past the Channel 4 report.

But there's still a basic, unanswered question: What was Brian's role supposed to be? Bid-rigging is a time-honored scheme doesn't require the participation of anybody other than executives at the companies making the bids. Was he allegedly taking care of the details on the electrical-workers union side? Was he allegedly using high-level political connections? Why would these guys need to pay off Brian McLaughlin?

The feds must have a theory. Over to you, Jonathan Dienst.

Channel 4's very well-sourced Jonathan Dienst(the same guy who had last fall's terror warning story) laid out the story behind the Central Labor Council raid just now, which appears to have focused on Council president Brian McLaughlin and a set of electrical contractors who -- Diesnt reports -- allegedly conspired with him to rip off the Department of Transportation.

The FBI's "Operation City Lights," according to the report (and Dienst had cameras in place at three separate raids) targeted McLaughlin's district office as well as the Labor Council's headquarters.

It sounds like an old-time bid-rigging scam: The suggestion is that electrical contractors divvied up neighborhoods, setting "low-bids" in advance, with other contractors deliberately bidding too high on street light contracts. McLaughlin was allegedly compensated with cash, an American Express card, and the installation of his alarm system.

McLaughlin, it's worth noting, came up as an electrical worker.

Also: Another huge black eye for the city's Department of Transportation.

So who gets hurt by a labor corruption scandal? Municipal labor in general, one thinks. And the Democrats, and their standard-bearer, Eliot Spitzer.

Down the ticket, Andrew Cuomo got Brian McLaughlin's very early, strong support, the value of which diminished sharply today.

FBI Special Agent Jim Margolin tells The Poliitcker that this morning's raid on Central Labor Council headquarters was "a search in connection with an ongoing investigation," and that's all he has to say about that.

Also, he says council chief Brian McLaughlin has not been arrested.

The Politicker's Azi Paybarah was turned away from the Central Labor Council's West 15th street office after seeing at least three FBI agents combing over the third-floor headquarters, other agents in the building, and a blue FBI van pulling away out front.

Azi reports that he was kind enough to open the door for three more FBI agents in windbreakers, entering the building carrying stacks of empty cardboard boxes.

A person who identified himself as the CLC's secretary told The Politicker that Central Labor Council chief Brian McLaughlin was apparently not in the building at the time of the raid.