By Michael Horowitz
City Councilman Larry Seabrook said he won't resign his position because he is innocent of all the charges that the U. S. Attorney's Office has brought against him.
Frank Belcher, a civic activist who has gained prominence in the Co-op City community in recent years, has written to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn calling for Seabrook's expulsion from the City Council.
Murray Richman, the legendary Bronx attorney who is Seabrook's defense lawyer, asked, in response to questions, “Why should Councilman Seabrook resign? He's innocent of all the charges that have been brought against him. Would you resign if you were an innocent man?”
Richman, who won the acquittal of State Sen. Pedro Espada in a highly celebrated case, stressed, in response to questions, that Seabrook, like every other American, is entitled to his day in court and the presumption of innocence until and unless guilt is proven.
Seabrook, in a prepared statement, said, Tuesday, “The charges against me are false. I will continue to work on behalf of the 12th Councilmanic District.”
Richman, who has been practicing law for the last 46 years, is known for his unconventional defenses of both individuals accused of street crimes and elected officials accused of violating the public's trust as specified in state and federal statutes.
Seabrook, in recent years, has been responsible for the delivery of major city funding for projects in the 12th Councilmanic District.
In the local community, he has obtained funding to reopen the long-dormant TV studio at Truman High School, which now has a curriculum that has the studio as its centerpiece.
A major, state-of-the-art facility for disabled at MS 180 is named for Seabrook in recognition of his funding and support for the modern exercise equipment and educational programs that are the facility's centerpieces.