Ex-NYC Buildings Boss Took $150K In Bribes, Faces 5 Indictments: DA

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's former buildings boss faces five separate indictments that accuse him of taking more than $150,000 in bribes, including a painting by Salvador Dalí's last living apprentice.

Eric Ulrich, 38, abused his power in every public service position he held — from City Council member to Mayor Eric Adams' senior adviser and, finally, to Department of Buildings Commissioner — to "line his pockets," said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Ulrich surrendered to Manhatttan prosecutors Wednesday with a copy of Bill O'Reilly's book, "Killing Jesus: A History," in tow, the New York Times reported.

"We allege that Eric Ulrich accepted or solicited more than $150,000 worth of bribes in less than two years by monetizing each elected and appointed role he held in New York City government," Bragg said in a statement.

The quintet of indictments against Ulrich and six of his alleged associates is notable not just for its sweeping accusations of public corruption, but also because many of those charged have alleged ties to the mayor or to organized crime.

A mayor's office spokesperson said City Hall will continue to let the investigation run its course and to assist the district attorney.

"And, while we do not discuss private conversations, to avoid speculation, the mayor has not received any requests from the Manhattan DA surrounding this matter and has never spoken to Mr. Ulrich about this investigation," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Ulrich and his co-defendants, Joseph Livreri, 55, Anthony Livreri, 51, and Michael Mazzio, 54, all hosted a 2021 fundraiser for Adams, the Times reported.

And the Livreri brothers and Mazzio have suspected connections to organized crime, according to the Times report.

Prosecutors said Ulrich, who resigned his buildings commissioner role in November amid a criminal gambling probe, used his government positions to benefit the Livreri brothers and Mazzio by, among other actions:

• Speeding up an inspection at the Liveri's "Aldo’s Pizza" after they were closed because of multiple health violations.
• Helped remove a vacate order for the "Fortunato Brothers Bakery” after the business was shut down after a fire.
• Helped resolve licensing issues with Mazzio's towing company by, in part, trying to influence the appointment of a Department of Consumer and Workers Protection commissioner.
• Landed a policy analyst job in the Department of Correction for Mazzio's daughter, which included a roughly $20,000 raise.
• Gave them all access to high-ranking New York City government officials through invites to exclusive events and dinners.

Ulrich in turn received cash for gambling at casinos and 89th Street Café, documents state. He also received a nearly $10,000 premium season ticket package to the New York Mets.

The documents state that Ulrich also received a beachfront Rockaway Park luxury building discounted at a $100,000 value from co-defendant Mark Caller, 51, CEO of Marcal Group real estate development, for helping with zoning changes and inspections.

One bribe came in the form of fine art, specifically a painting by Francisco Poblet, who is the last surviving apprentice of Salvador Dalí, the documents state.

Co-defendant Paul Grego, a Department of Buildings filing representative, talked with Ulrich about the painting in coded references to Ulrich's daughter, when in actuality it was meant to be a gift for the commissioner's girlfriend, documents state.

"My daughter's gonna love it," Ulrich said, according to documents.