Stung by Probers: Nab B'klyn Official Over Bribe

Stung by Probers

Nab B'klyn Official Over Bribe

State Assemblywoman Diane M. Gordon was arrested July 10 and charged with seeking a $500,000 house in Queens in return for helping a developer acquire city land designated for low-income housing.

The Chief-Leader/Pat Arnow 'TEXTBOOK-STYLE CORRUPTION': City Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn and Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes July 10 announce the arrest of Brooklyn State Assemblywoman Diane M. Gordon. She was charged with taking a bribe from a contractor who promised to build her a $500,000 house in a gated community in return for helping the developer acquire a plot of city land intended for low-income housing. City Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn called the alleged scheme by the Brooklyn Democrat "textbook-style corruption."

At her arraignment, Ms. Gordon pleaded not guilty and was released on $35,000 bail in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn.

Quarrel Over Busted 'Deal'

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes told reporters that Ms. Gordon was arrested only after she reneged on her agreement to resign from office. Bernard H. Udell, her lawyer, denied such a deal had existed. Ms. Gordon plans to seek reelection in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary. "This legislator dreamed of living in a gated community - just not the one [she could end up in] when she decided to abuse her position as a public official," Ms. Hearn said. The Department of Investigation brought the case in conjunction with the Brooklyn DA's Office.

Authorities began examining Ms. Gordon's actions based on a tip from a source in the Department of Housing and Preservation and Development, the agency in charge of a $2 million lot on Livonia Ave. in Brooklyn.

The developer, who was not named in the indictment, agreed to wear a small hidden video camera and tape meetings with Ms. Gordon in her office between October 2004 and November 2005.

'Want House for Nothing'

"I want this house for little to nothing, just taxes," the video revealed her saying during one of the nine meetings. "I want to deliver these [HPD] properties to you so I can get this house for little to nothing. I don't want to pay a mortgage."

The recordings also showed her cautioning the contractor, "If you want dreams to come true, you have to keep your mouth shut."

According to investigators, Ms. Gordon promised that the developers would secure the vacant lot between Livonia and New Lots Aves. designated for low-income housing in return for her new house and a pair of wood-paneled French doors worth more than $600 for her Brooklyn Assembly office.

Ms. Gordon promised to advise HPD to choose the contractor and to secure the backing of other politicians, DOI said. "I'm going to do it. Have confidence and a prayer," the tape showed her saying.

A Home of Her Own

During the undercover investigation, the contractor gave Ms. Gordon a set of architectural plans for the house she wanted him to build. The estimated value of the single-family home, which was to be constructed in a gated community away from any recreation areas where children make noise, exceeded $500,000, authorities said. The marked-up plans included minutia such as how many steps should lead up to the front door and the precise size of the bathroom near her mother's bedroom. Initially, Ms. Gordon wanted to pay only the annual property taxes for the new house, but after consulting with her attorney, Bernard "Mitch" Alter, she suggested alternatives to an outright gift, prosecutors said. At a meeting in March, Ms. Gordon told the contractor the title to the house should be in the name of her mother, Helen Staggers, to conceal her involvement, DOI said.

The contractor deposited $7,500 in an account opened in Ms. Staggers's name, from which she paid back $7,000 as a purported "down-payment" on the house, according to investigators.

At the arraignment, her attorney, Mr. Udell, pointed out that she returned the money. "The people of East New York suffered no harm," he said. "Nothing happened."

Ms. Gordon, who represents the 40th Assembly District, which covers East New York and Brownsville, was charged with felonious conspiracy and receiving bribes in the 12-count indictment.

Mr. Hynes said that Ms. Gordon's mother and Mr. Alter were unindicted coconspirators. Mr. Alter said that he attended only one meeting. "I don't know too much about this transaction," he told the New York Times.