Jurors will decide if he’s Teflon or foolhardy.
Despite allegedly being captured on tape soliciting bribes, disgraced Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. abruptly backed out of a plea deal in Brooklyn federal court this morning and will instead try to beat heavy corruption raps for a second time at trial.
Boyland, who was charged with angling for kickbacks from undercover agents and fraudulently billing the state for phantom car mileage and travel expenses, was expected to sign on to a plea deal today but got cold feet and stepped away from the table.
“William Boyland Jr. stands by his plea of not guilty and looks forward to being exonerated by a jury in this court,” said his attorney, Peter Quijano, outside of court after the proceeding. “There were ongoing plea negotiations. There was no agreement between the parties.”
Known for chronic absences from Albany, Boyland was acquitted on similar corruption charges in 2011 and is now accused of setting up bribes from an Atlantic City hotel suite before that case was even adjudicated.
A rotund member of a prominent Brooklyn political family that has wielded heavy influence in neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy and Brownsville for decades, Boyland said nothing as he strolled away from yet another visit to a federal courthouse.
Calling the scope of his corruption “staggering,” federal prosecutors accuse Boyland of groping for cash from a wide range of constituents, including a carnival promoter hoping to secure lucrative locations in the borough.
In another instance, Boyland asked undercover agents for a $250,000 payment to help secure a real estate deal involving a Brooklyn hospital.
Both Boyland and his legislative aide, Ry-ann Hermon, were arrested late last month by FBI agents on a wide range of corruption charges. She has since flipped on her former boss and is cooperating against him.
Herman was captured on tape admitting that graft turned her on. Court papers claim she said she felt “hot” after receiving one of the alleged bribe payments.
First elected in 2003, Boyland succeeded his father, William Boyland, who served more than 20 years in the Assembly.
His son now faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.