Imprisoned Brooklyn Pol Seeks Release Over Coronavirus Fear

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Former Assembly Member William F. Boyland, Jr. felt the justice system's full weight as a judge sentenced him to 14 years behind bars on a slew of corruption convictions — the longest recent prison term given to convicted state elected official.

Now, the disgraced Brooklyn legislator hopes the new coronavirus pandemic will earn him a compassionate release from a federal prison in Pennsylvania.

Boyland last week sent a hand-written plea for a transfer to home confinement, arguing he has medical conditions that put him at risk.

"Time is of the essence as each day presents an opportunity for exposure an (sic) contraction of the virus," he wrote.

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Not-so-fast, argued federal prosecutors in a response filed within days of Boyland's note.

They argued Boyland didn't meet the high bar of showing he should be released because of coronavirus risk. Besides, he took advantage of his 55th District constituents in Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights and Bushwick to such an extent he should remain imprisoned, they argued.

"He blatantly solicited over $250,000 in bribes and stole money that was directed to the elderly residents of his community," the prosecutors wrote. "Boyland represented some of the poorest and most disadvantaged residents in New York City. He took advantage of those residents and inflicted tremendous damage on his community by placing his own financial interests above theirs."

Boyland's legal battles made front page news as the state Assembly Member — and part of a Brooklyn political dynasty — faced two separate corruption trials. He was acquitted in a 2011 case but was rearrested after feds accused him of soliciting more bribes even while facing trial.

This time, the feds had tape they argued showed Boyland asking for bribes over schemes involving a carnival and real estate, according to court documents.

Jurors in 2014 found him guilty of 21 corruption counts, prompting the New York Post to plaster him on their front page wearing a suit of money.

Boyland unsuccessfully tried to appeal his 14-year sentence, which stood as the longest handed down to a state elected official in recent years. He also asked last week for a reduction in his sentence, in part to take care of his son and in part because of health conditions he claimed to have.

But prosecutors argued Boyland couldn't show he was the only available caregiver for his son. His claims that he had pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, obesity, high cholesterol and an enlarged prostate didn't hold water either, they argued.

There's a high bar to be released from prison and Boyland hasn't reached it, they wrote.

"At this point, he has served just half of his 168-month sentence and is currently incarcerated at a facility with no confirmed cases of inmates or staff with COVID-19," they wrote.

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