Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Queens Assemblyman And His $500K in Bribes
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 11, 2008
Modified Sep 11, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 11, 2008
Modified Sep 11, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
NY State Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, a Democrat who represents Queens, was accused by the feds of taking over $500,000 in bribes. Or, as Seminerio allegedly called it, "consulting" payments.
The NY Times reports that Seminerio apparently decided to charge people for services that were "part of his job as state legistator" when he "realized that favors for people in the health care and hospital industry, and that those people sometimes made thousands of dollars from those favors." He was recorded as saying, "I was doing favors for these sons-of-bitches there, you know, they were, they were making thousands. 'Screw you, from now on, you know, I'm a consultant.'"
In recordings, the 73-year-old lawmaker apparently told hospital officials whose funding was threatened that he would rattle cages" if they produced checks and that "I can get anybody you want" in the Legislature. He even allowed an undercover FBI agent who pretended to be a client in need of state contracts to visit the State Capitol floor and meet other lawmakers.
WABC 7 says Seminerio was able to hide "his clients behind a state law that enabled him to avoid disclosing their names." U.S. Attorney General Michael Garcia said, "The absence of general transparency in Albany provides cover for officials seeking to enrich themselves at the public's expense."
Tagged
anthony seminerio
assembly
bribes
corruption
fbi
ny state assembly
u.s. attorney
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYCHA says it's removed asbestos found at Brooklyn’s Marcy Houses
A steam leak left asbestos-laden residue on some of the exterior walls at the public housing complex in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 30, 2026 at 4:29 p.m. ET
'It is a crime!': Upper West Side owl lovers outraged after rooftop work wrecks nest
The owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
By
Carol Chen
News
'It is a crime!': Upper West Side owl lovers outraged after rooftop work wrecks nest
The owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
By
Carol Chen
Police search several blocks in Canarsie after dead man’s body found
By
Charles Lane
NY unemployment recipients brace for delays during system upgrade
By
Jon Campbell
and
Carol Chen
Influential Brooklyn developer illegally raised rents despite tax break, lawsuit claims
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .