Addiction or Corruption? Ex-NYC Official Goes on Trial Over Alleged Bribes

A former New York City official accused of trading political favors for cash and gifts went on trial Monday, Oct. 19, in a corruption case where prosecutors allege he gambled away half his salary at commercial casinos and an underground den tied to organized crime.

Eric Ulrich, 41, a former Queens councilman and buildings commissioner under Mayor Eric Adams, was originally accused of accepting more than $150,000 in bribes from businessmen seeking political favors from City Hall.

Prosecutors allege Ulrich’s severe gambling habit left him perpetually short of cash despite earning a six-figure government salary. Defense counsel acknowledges that Ulrich frequently borrowed money to gamble, but maintains that none of the loans or financial transactions constituted bribes.

Ulrich and co-defendant Michael Mazzio, a towing company executive, are being tried in a bench trial before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Daniel Conviser.

Casino Regular and Illegal Den Activity

According to QNS, prosecutor Guy Tardanico told the court that Ulrich spent roughly half his paycheck gambling at Resorts World New York City and the 89th Street Café, an illegal gambling club in Ozone Park operated by his former aide, Joseph Livreri.

Defense attorney David Jason Cohen noted that Ulrich visited Resorts World around 100 times annually, logging more than 180 visits in 2017 alone, and frequently emptied his bank account within days of getting paid.

“Call him an addicted gambler, call him an alcoholic, call him a foul-mouthed, unpolitically correct politician, but he was never a bribe receiver,” Cohen told the court, according to Gothamist.

Cohen argued that while his client played low-stakes social card games at the 89th Street Café, he did not participate in high-stakes illegal gambling operations held on site.

The storefront has a long history in local law enforcement lore. According to a 2023 New York Magazine investigation, the premises once served as the headquarters of Ciro Perrone, a captain in the Genovese crime family.

Livreri renovated the premises in 2020, installing slot machines, video poker terminals, and high-end card tables.

Allegers, Mob Connections, and Official Actions

Joseph and his brother Anthony also formerly operated Aldo’s Pizzeria, a notorious Queens Mafia hangout once frequented by Gambino figures including Ronald “Ronny One Arm” Trucchio and Vincent Asaro, according to the New York Post.

The Livreri brothers pleaded guilty to bribery charges, admitting they paid Ulrich $4,000 to help rescind a vacate order on a Brooklyn bakery following a fire.

Prosecutors further allege Ulrich expedited a city health reinspection for Aldo’s after the restaurant was shuttered over health code violations in 2022. Joseph Livreri subsequently transferred $300 to Ulrich, which prosecutors claim was spent at Resorts World shortly thereafter.

Co-defendant Mazzio allegedly provided Ulrich with New York Mets season tickets valued at nearly $10,000 in exchange for municipal assistance with licensing issues facing his towing company. Prosecutors also allege Ulrich intervened to help Mazzio’s daughter secure a higher-paying municipal role.

Defense Frames Payments as Friendships

The defense maintains these were ordinary favors between longtime friends, not corrupt transactions.

“Eric’s mistake was not corruption, it was trust,” Cohen told the court, according to City & State.

Ulrich resigned from his administration post in November 2022 and was formally indicted in 2023. The bench trial is expected to continue over several weeks, featuring wiretap recordings, financial records, and testimony from municipal officials.