Mistrial Declared in Councilman’s Corruption Case

[alp227]

Source: NYT

A federal judge in Manhattan declared a mistrial on Friday in the corruption case of City Councilman Larry B. Seabrook, who had been charged in an elaborate scheme to direct more than $1 million in New York City taxpayer money to a network of nonprofit organizations that he controlled, purportedly for community programs.

Prosecutors had claimed that Mr. Seabrook, 60, then used the groups to funnel more than $600,000 to family members and friends, some of whom shared their money with him, the government added.

But the jury, which deliberated in Federal District Court for more than a week, told the judge, Robert P. Patterson Jr., in a note late on Thursday that it remained deadlocked on all 12 counts in the indictment — an impasse it first reported to the judge on Monday. At Judge Patterson’s request, the jury renewed its efforts to reach a verdict in recent days, requesting large numbers of exhibits, witness testimony and other evidence.

On Friday, the jury issued a note in the morning saying that it remain deadlocked on all counts. Judge Patterson encouraged them to keep deliberating. But shortly before 3 p.m., jurors distributed another note that the judge read aloud in court. “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.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/10/nyregion/larry-b-seabrook-corruption-case-ends-in-mistrial.html

[russspeakeasy]

1. One of the jurors just got richer !!

[greiner3]

2. Or prevented a funeral in the family.