Disgraced Ex-Labor Chief Helps Feds Snare Corrupt Pol
Sep12What a career move. From top union chief, to convicted felon, to snitch. News emerged this week that disgraced union boss Brian McLaughlin has turned FBI snitch giving information that has led to the arrest of a Queens, New York politician Anthony Seminerio.
McLaughlin faces sentencing for his conviction for stealing $2.2 million in cash, cars and perks, but he isn’t going down alone. The news probably has quite a few New York pols quaking in the boots, wondering if the FBI is about to knock on their door next.
As to Anthony Seminerio, he’s in dutch, big time.
A 17-page complaint says Seminerio’s influence-peddling became so blatant that he twice brought the FBI agent into the Assembly. “Anthony Seminerio put his office up for sale for those willing to pay the right price,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia.
In one of Seminerio’s schemes, federal prosecutors said, he collected $310,000 – a huge boost from his $79,500 state salary – from an unidentified hospital that received millions in state funding with his help.
But, always remember, union bosses are only out to help the little guy… and, in an effort to get a lesser sentence on corruption charges, the occasional FBI agent.
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