Over a boozy dinner at Peter Luger steakhouse in 2010, Brooklyn Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. told undercover agents posing as businessmen how things get done in New York City.
Asked how he could be compensated for helping them secure lucrative street carnivals in his Brownsville district, the burly political scion suggested donations to consultants and nonprofits.
“So what are like — in terms of like — can I compensate you or whatever for helping us out?” an agent asks Boyland between tumblers of Jameson whiskey at the sitdown, according to a recording played at his corruption trial in Brooklyn federal court Tuesday.
“Um, a consultancy,” he replied. “A consulting firm has worked for folks in the past.”
Boyland, a Democrat, later boasted of his numerous affiliations with nonprofit organizations.
“I have a few of them in line where they can be — sort of — venues and conduits,” Boyland said of carnival-related contributions. “Those executive directors, you know, they are networked. You know the importance of networks, right?”
Boyland is charged with a slew of federal corruption raps and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors allege that he demanded payola from undercovers in exchange for securing carnival permits and for access to distressed properties that could be profitably developed.
Boyland is also charged with lying about performing work in Albany and receiving fraudulent expense reimbursements.
In another meeting with undercovers at Manhattan’s Keen’s steakhouse in January 2011, the confident politico revealed that he had his eye on statewide office — and demeaned the borough president slot in the process.
“I’m in a position right now, I’m in a position where, you know, I’m trying to focus on the next steps, you know?” Boyland states.
After an agent suggests the borough president post, Boyland said he was aiming higher. “Yeah, it’s either that or city comptroller,” he said. “The borough president is a glorified cheerleader . . . Borough president is sort of like goal B, you know?”
But just two months after spelling out his designs, the assemblyman was arrested and charged with corruption.
Boyland managed to skate on those charges in 2011 and is now banking on a second acquittal.
He’ll have to overcome expected testimony from his ex-mistress and alleged co-conspirator, Ry-Ann Hermon. Boyland’s former chief-of-staff pleaded guilty to corruption raps and is expected to testify against her old flame.
Boyland’s attorneys have conceded that he solicited donations — but argue that he never had any intention of performing political favors and was merely “playing the players.”