New York City’s buildings chief resigned after he was approached by investigators from the Manhattan district attorney’s office as part of an investigation into illegal gambling.
Eric Ulrich tendered his resignation as the Department of Buildings commissioner on Thursday morning. Mayor Eric Adams’ office said first deputy commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik will serve as acting commissioner and the agency will remain fully operational.
“This morning, Eric Ulrich tendered his resignation as DOB commissioner in an effort to, in his words, avoid ‘unnecessary distraction for the Adams administration,’” Adams’ press secretary Fabien Levy said in a statement. “We have accepted his resignation, appreciate him taking this step, and wish him well.”
Levy added that City Hall had no further knowledge of any investigation into Ulrich and would not comment further.
Ulrich’s resignation comes after investigators questioned him as part of a probe into illegal gambling. Authorities seized Ulrich’s phone, though he has not been accused of wrongdoing. The New York Times reported his involvement in the case reportedly stems from conduct prior to his time in the Adams administration.
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Adams named Ulrich DOB commissioner in May, four months after Adams took over as mayor. Ulrich served as a senior adviser to the mayor between January and his May appointment.
Prior to that, Ulrich served as one of the few Republicans in City Council for 12 years. He represented southern Queens and was a member of the Committee on Housing and Buildings. Towards the end of his tenure, he revealed struggles with alcoholism and his pursuit of sobriety.
In 2016, Ulrich notified the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board of gambling winnings from $5,000 to $47,999. An annual financial disclosure form reported by the New York Daily News also revealed a collection of winnings from the state lottery last year, $50,000.
Four years ago, Ulrich penned a letter of support for reputed Bonanno crime associate Robert Pisani, who was being sentenced on federal charges for collecting an unlawful gambling debt. Pisani received a sentence of 30 months in federal prison. It’s not clear if the letter is a focus of the probe.
Ulrich and the Manhattan DA have not commented publicly on the investigation.