D’Amato Takes Stand at Biaggi Bribery Trial

Sen. Alfonse M. D’Amato (R-N.Y.) said Friday that he appealed to the secretary of the Navy at the request of Rep. Mario Biaggi (D-N.Y.) to speed payments to the financially ailing ship repair company that is at the center of Biaggi’s bribery trial.

The senator, testifying for the prosecution in federal court in Brooklyn, said he and the congressman were close friends and they had a history of working together to help their constituents.

D’Amato said there was nothing unusual about being asked by Biaggi to help the Coastal Dry Dock & Repair Co. of Brooklyn, especially since D’Amato was a member of the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee.

‘Up to the Plate’

“So that’s what you and Congressman Biaggi were doing, you were stepping up to the plate, you were at bat and doing your job?” asked Barry Slotnick, Biaggi’s attorney. “That’s correct,” D’Amato replied.

Biaggi is accused of improperly using his political influence on behalf of Coastal in exchange for two trips to a Florida spa and one to the island of St. Maarten.

The trips were paid for by his co-defendant, former Brooklyn Democratic boss Meade Esposito. Coastal was a major client of Esposito’s insurance brokerage firm.

D’Amato said he felt Coastal had some legitimate concerns.