Brooklyn lawmaker Chaim Deutsch has been kicked out of the City Council after pleading guilty to federal tax fraud last week.
Deutsch, 52, who has served on the Council since 2014, pleaded guilty Thursday to dodging more than $82,000 in federal taxes on income he earned from his real estate management company. He could face a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Initially, Council Speaker Corey Johnson stripped Deutsch of his committee assignments and barred him from doling out so-called member items, which are discretionary grants to community groups and projects.
On Tuesday, Johnson announced Deustch was removed from office, citing a state public officers law that declares a public office vacant if its holder is convicted of a crime that violates his or her oath of office.
“Based on our review of the charging document and Mr. Chaim Deutsch’s plea agreement, the Council has concluded that the office of the 48th Council District has been vacated under the operation of law,” Johnson said in a prepared statement Tuesday. “Mr. Deutsch confessed to a crime and violated his oath of office. He is no longer a member of the City Council.”
Source (Ny Daily news)