A playing affiliate of Elric Ulrich, former head of the New York Metropolis Division of Buildings, misplaced his Metropolis Council job final month, the New York Day by day Information reported yesterday. The choice got here whereas a Manhattan grand jury was listening to proof towards Ulrich in relation to an unlawful playing investigation.
In 2019, Ulrich, a Republic Councilman again then, employed Joseph Livreri, the co-owner of a Queens pizzeria who reportedly had ties to organized crime teams, as a council assistant in his workplace. Final yr, Ulrich left the Council and joined Mayor Adams’ administration. Livreri determined to maintain his job and work for Ulrich’s successor – Councilwoman Joann Ariola.
Yesterday, Van Ray, Ariola’s spokesman, confirmed that Livreri was requested to resign in July as a result of his job duties have been absorbed by different staffers after the reconstruction of Ariola’s workplace. Metropolis information revealed that Livreri’s annual wage as a council assistant was $22k.
Ray defined that Livreri’s firing was not associated to Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg’s playing probe into allegations that Ulrich was concerned in an unlawful playing ring. Though Ray didn’t specify the date Liveri left his place as a council assistant, he stated it occurred someplace between July 1 and July 15. Round that point, the media company The New York Day by day Information reported that Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg was listening to proof towards Ulrich.
The Playing Probe Results in Some Stunning Revelations
The playing probe is believed to have been partially centered on unlawful playing and arranged crime exercise at Aldo’s Ozone Park pizzeria, co-owned by Livreri and his brother, Anthony Livreri. A curious reality is that marketing campaign finance information reveal that the Livreri brothers each gave Adams $2k in marketing campaign contributions in 20211.
Though Livreri and Ulrich haven’t been accused to date, Sam Braverman, representing Ulrich within the case, stated that fees may very well be imminent. Braverman acknowledged that he would touch upon Ulrich’s alleged ties to an unlawful playing ring following an indictment. Bragg’s workplace additionally refused to touch upon the case, whereas Livreri couldn’t be reached in any respect.
Final week, The New York Day by day Information revealed an article revealing that Livreri was additionally concerned with card video games and playing machines on the 101 Cafe in Ozone Park. Ulrich, a passionate gambler, informed Bragg’s investigators that he suggested Livreri to chop ties to unlawful playing actions as a result of he may face authorized troubles.
Final November, Ulrich additionally admitted that Mayor Adams warned him in regards to the existence of the playing probe earlier than turning into publicly identified. Six months later, legislation enforcement authorities executed a search warrant on Ulrich and confiscated his telephone. Ulrich resigned as Mayor Adams’ Division of Buildings commissioner a number of days after the search warrant.
This Monday, Mayor Adams denied allegations that he warned Ulrich of the existence of the playing probe. Nonetheless, he declined to specify whether or not he informed Ulrich to watch out when utilizing his telephone, as sources aware of the investigation declare.
