SLUSHBUSTERS FREEZE POL'S COOL MILLION
By DOUGLAS MONTERO and CHUCK BENNETT
LARRY'S STOOGES: The city blocked Councilman Larry Seabrook (above) from earmarking cash for...
April 24, 2008 -- The city has frozen nearly $1 million in funds that a Bronx city councilman sought for an obscure nonprofit group conveniently located right across the hall from his own office, The Post has learned.
Larry Seabrook, a veteran Democrat who represents Co-Op City and the northeast Bronx, tried to steer $912,244 to the Bronx African American Chamber of Commerce last year, records show.
The 11-month-old nonprofit group's literature says its mission is to aid small, minority-owned businesses and help people find jobs.
But city officials rejected the application on March 6, according to the Mayor's Office of Contracts.
By DOUGLAS MONTERO and CHUCK BENNETT
LARRY'S STOOGES: The city blocked Councilman Larry Seabrook (above) from earmarking cash for...
April 24, 2008 -- The city has frozen nearly $1 million in funds that a Bronx city councilman sought for an obscure nonprofit group conveniently located right across the hall from his own office, The Post has learned.
Larry Seabrook, a veteran Democrat who represents Co-Op City and the northeast Bronx, tried to steer $912,244 to the Bronx African American Chamber of Commerce last year, records show.
The 11-month-old nonprofit group's literature says its mission is to aid small, minority-owned businesses and help people find jobs.
But city officials rejected the application on March 6, according to the Mayor's Office of Contracts.
This latest revelation comes amid a federal probe into how the council doles out millions of dollars in so-called "discretionary funds" that are supposed to go toward worthy community groups.
Last week, two staffers of Councilman Kendall Stewart (D-Brooklyn) were indicted by federal authorities for allegedly embezzling $145,000 from a charity operating out of one of the aides' apartments.
City officials declined to discuss why the BAACC application was refused, citing the ongoing investigation into council slush funds.
"Contracts get held up all the time," said Seabrook's spokesman, Cleveland Beckett.
He declined to discuss the relationship between his boss and the charity across the hall.
BAACC, which was founded in May 2007, shares the same address, 3687 White Plains Road, as Seabrook's office.
The offices share the same first floor, separated by just a thin drywall that doesn't even reach the ceiling.
Little else is known about the charity, its officers, or what exactly it has done for the community. It further neglected to file the proper tax paperwork with the state Attorney General's Office, records show.
During a visit to BAACC's sparse office yesterday, a representative of the organization declined to comment.
Seabrook sought a variety of funds for his neighbor, from $335,000 for "community revitalization" to $187,244 for "support for youth programs and small businesses" and $150,000 for English lessons for immigrants.
The councilman's favored charities have attracted official notice before.
The Northeast Bronx Redevelopment Corp., which was also registered at 3687 White Plains Road, made news 13 years ago when its $390,000 budget for youth programs was allegedly being used for Seabrook's political operation.
Ten years later, it made news again, when Seabrook attempted to use the organization to build a $4.5 million hip-hop museum. That plan was scuttled in 2006 after city officials audited the agency's books.
Last year, Seabrook sought to send the group $35,000 for an anti-gang program.
Additional reporting by Reuven Fenton
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