Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
FBI Probes State Senate Majority Leader Bruno
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 20, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 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 Dec 20, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 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
Yesterday, Joseph Bruno, the NY State Senate's majority leader, revealed that the FBI was investigating him for his "outside business interests." Wow, is being investigated by the feds the new black for Republicans? Or is being investigation something most politicians need to go through (we're talking to you, Alan Hevesi!)? Republican Bruno called a press conference and told reporters, "I have nothing to hide. They are going into background over the past five or six years."
According to a source that spoke to the Times Union, the investigation may be related to his dealings with Joseph Abbruzzese, a "business partner and friend." :
Abbruzzese, a horse owner, is involved in numerous ventures, including at least one that has received $500,000 in discretionary grants, called member items, directed by Bruno. The two have several ties, including land development, plane rides and thoroughbred horses.
Abbruzzese is part of a group called Empire Racing Associates, which bid on the state's racing franchise that officials, including Bruno, plan to award within the next year. Abbruzzese led the effort to raise $3 million to fund the organization this spring.
He also is under state investigation for furnishing his aircraft to Bruno for political and fundraising trips.
Bruno's consulting business, Capital Business Consultants, was set up six years ago; the Post describes its activities as helping "clients with marketing, strategy and business development." Member grants as business development - the new future of Albany!
Bruno was recently re-elected the majority leader; the NY Times reports one Republican senator as saying, "Did we know? We didn't. Would it have changed things if we'd known? Maybe. I would have definitely had more questions if I'd known this."
Bruno will be the highest-ranking Republican in NY once Pataki leaves office. But with the Democrats in the Senate interested in recruiting some Republicans, there could be serious fallout for the GOP's state power.
The NY Times has a profile on Bruno's rise from poverty to political power. And Bruno is not the only politician in hot water: State Comptroller Alan Hevesi is awaiting to hear if he'll be indicted on charges related to using state employees to chauffeur his wife.
Tagged
alan hevesi
Albany
business
Comptroller Alan Hevesi
Democrats
fbi
Joseph Bruno
News: NYC
ny state
ny state senate
ny times
plane
Politics
poverty
republican
republicans
state comptroller
State Comptroller Alan Hevesi
state senate
The NY
the ny times
times union
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
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
Stargazers will have a great view of Saturn and two meteor showers in October.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
News
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
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 .