Union Boss Norman Seabrook Held Tight Grip on Rikers

The head of the New York City correction officers' union is facing federal corruption charges. Prosecutors say Norman Seabrook agreed to invest $20 million of union retirement and operating funds in a struggling New York-based hedge-fund in return for $60,000 in kickbacks.

WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez says Seabrook, who's led the union for 21 years, has a reputation for going to great lengths to protect his correction officers. His most blatant display of power was when he ordered a shutdown of buses to city courts in order to keep an inmate from testifying against guards accused of assaulting him.

"At the same time that he acknowledged the problems at Rikers, he also feels like his officers should use whatever force is necessary to control inmates and he defends their right to do so," Rodriguez said. 

Some reform activists say his arrest could clear the way for changes at Rikers. The city plans to suspend Seabrook because he is considered a city employee and correction officer. 

Rodriguez spoke Wednesday with WNYC's Jami Floyd.