Ex-Democratic Boss in N.Y. Fined $500,000

A federal judge sentenced a former Brooklyn Democratic boss on Friday to a two-year suspended jail term and a $500,000 fine for giving free Florida vacations to Mario Biaggi, a 10-term Democratic congressman from the Bronx.

The crimes of Meade Esposito were “bred in greed, arrogance and vanity,” U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein said.

Esposito, 80, also received two years of probation and was ordered to perform 500 hours of community service.

“These are serious crimes,” Weinstein said. “Paying congressmen directly or by absorbing their expenses reduces the public’s confidence in Congress.”

Paid for Three Vacations

The prosecution charged that Esposito paid for three vacations for Biaggi and a female companion in exchange for Biaggi’s influence on behalf of an ailing ship repair company. The company, Coastal Dry Dock & Repair, was a major client of an insurance brokerage partly owned by Esposito.

But Esposito, who as the chairman of the Brooklyn Democratic Party from 1969 through 1984 was one of the most powerful politicians in New York state, maintained in an emotional courtroom statement before sentencing that he had not knowingly corrupted Biaggi.

After a three-week trial in Brooklyn federal court, Esposito and Biaggi were convicted last month of offering and accepting illegal gratuities and of crossing state lines in committing the crime. Both were acquitted of the more serious crimes of bribery and conspiracy.

Esposito could have received a seven-year sentence on his conviction.

Sentencing of Biaggi

Biaggi, who also was convicted of obstruction of justice, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 5. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and a $750,000 fine.

Their lawyers are appealing the convictions.

Weinstein said a jail sentence was inappropriate because of Esposito’s age, his poor health and the poor health of his wife. He said one mitigating factor was Esposito’s years of service to the public.

The judge said he believed that Esposito felt remorse for his crime but that he did not realize fully the criminal nature of his conduct.