Ex-buildings commissioner, developer charged in bribery case

Former New York City Department of Buildings commissioner Eric Ulrich faced the music Wednesday in his bribery scandal.

Ulrich surrendered to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg ahead of a hearing, the New York Times reported. Bragg’s office released a statement detailing the allegations against the former member of Eric Adams’ administration.

Prosecutors accused Ulrich of accepting or soliciting more than $150,000 in bribes, including New York Mets season tickets, a custom suit, a painting by Salvador Dali’s protege and cash for gambling. He also allegedly used his position of influence to help friends and associates.

Four indictments were unveiled, three of which charged Ulrich and others with bribery; the fourth charged him with failing to disclose his alleged gains to the city.

Prosecutors charged six others in the case, including Mark Caller, a Brooklyn real estate developer who fundraised for Adams’ winning mayoral campaign; Paul Grego, an expediter who dealt with the Buildings Department; and three people who law enforcement officials believe are tied to organized crime.

Caller, whose development firm is the Marcal Group, allegedly had Ulrich use his position as a senior adviser to Adams — before his commissioner stint — to coordinate Buildings and Fire Department inspections that closed down a low-income dwelling in Rockaway Beach, Queens, where Caller has at least one condominium project.

In return, Caller allegedly gave Ulrich a $2,000-per-month discount on rent for a beachfront apartment, as well as an option to buy it for $55,000 below ask.

Caller intends to plead not guilty, according to his high-profile lawyer, Benjamin Brafman.

Brafman has said Ulrich paid market-rate rent for the unit. The lawyer was expected to respond to the charges following his client’s arraignment Wednesday afternoon.

Adams has not been accused of wrongdoing, although Ulrich claims to have warned the mayor of the investigation — an accusation Adams denies. Investigators also wiretapped conversations including the mayor. A spokesperson for the mayor said Adams hasn’t received any requests from Bragg’s office pertaining to the investigation.

Ulrich, a Republican, resigned from the Democratic mayor’s administration in November after investigators approached Ulrich about a gambling investigation and seized his phone.

Prior to his six-month commissionership and his advisory role to Adams, he served on the City Council for a decade, representing southern Queens and serving on the Committee on Housing and Buildings. Ulrich showed up 15 minutes late for a live video interview with The Real Deal in 2020, and a year later said he was battling alcoholism.

— Holden Walter-Warner

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