Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the
case, stated that the defendant owns and operates the lobbying firm Excelsior
Advocates, LLC. On September 8, 2017, an individual known to the FBI approached
Gaddy about paying a bribe to a member of the New York State Assembly (Member
A) in order to introduce certain legislation concerning a proposed development
project in the Town of Brighton. That legislation would have had the effect of
impeding the proposed project and making it more difficult to proceed. On
September 26, 2017, the defendant took receipt of cash from the individual,
with the understanding that it would be used to bribe Member A and induce
Member A to introduce the proposed legislation.
Subsequently, Gaddy recommended to the individual that
rather than having Member A introduce the proposed legislation, another member
of the New York State Assembly—Joseph Errigo—would be used to do it. Gaddy then facilitated the introduction of
the individual to Assemblyman Errigo. The defendant was aware that the
individual began making bribe payments to Assemblyman Errigo for the purpose of
introducing the proposed legislation. Thereafter, Gaddy transmitted the
proposed legislation concerning the development project in the Town of Brighton
to Assemblyman Errigo.
On February 9, 2018, in connection with facilitating the
proposed legislation, Gaddy stated to the individual and Assemblyman Errigo
that he (Gaddy) had also “greased the skids” with Member A. In truth and in
fact, the defendant did not pay the intended bribe to Member A as represented,
but wrongfully converted the money to his own personal benefit.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen
Belongia.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2020, at 1:00 p.m.
before Judge Wolford.
