Councilman Larry Seabrook convicted on fed corruption charges

Bronx City Councilman Larry Seabrook was convicted Thursday on nine counts of corruption and wire fraud in Manhattan Federal Court in Manhattan.

Seabrook, 61, who was retried following a mistrial in December, misdirected $1.5 million of taxpayer money that was supposed to go to community groups to his own pocket, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said.

"Today's conviction ensures that the Councilman will pay for betraying the public trust. Rooting out public corruption and restoring the public's faith in honest government remains a vital mission of this office," he said in a statement.

The mayor's office has indicated that Seabrook will be removed from office and a special election will be held to determine who will finish his term.

Prosecutors say the councilman transfered the member item money to non-profits that he controlled and gave the cash to friends and relatives. He allegedly altered a receipt for a $7 bagel to read $177 to get more money from the city.

"He was a master of diversion and misdirection undone by a dedicated team of city investigators and federal prosecutors and called to account by a jury of his peers," Rose Gill Hearn, the commissioner for the city's Department of Investigation, said in a statement.

Seabrook will be sentenced in January and faces up to 20 years in prison , according to the U.S. attorney's office.