By Philip Newman
Queens state Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Richmond Hill) was arrested by FBI agents Wednesday on charges of accepting more than $500,000 in corrupt payments from people and organizations doing business with New York state.
Seminerio, 73, who surrendered around 10 a.m., was scheduled to go before a federal magistrate late in the day for a bail hearing.
Michael Garcia, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced Seminerio’s arrest at a news conference in Lower Manhattan.
Garcia said Seminerio, who has held the Queens seat for 30 years, “put his office up for sale to those willing to pay the right price.”
In the criminal complaint, Seminerio is accused of charging his personal business clients for introducing them to legislators in Albany who could advance their interests and taking money for the service. The complaint quotes an undercover agent and a cooperating witness who recorded Seminerio's conversations.
Garcia said some of the money Seminerio accepted came in part from a New York City hospital, although he would not identify the institution.
Mark Mershon, the assistant director in charge of the New York City FBI bureau, said Seminerio established a fake consulting firm called Marc Consultants to hide the payments. The firm had the same address as his home.
Prosecutors contend Seminerio did little or no real consulting.
He faces one count of mail fraud because some of the alleged payments were sent to him via the postal service and private as well as commercial carriers.
If convicted, he could face as much as 20 years in prison.
Seminerio represents the 38th Assembly District. He maintains offices in Glendale and Richmond Hill.
