Harvard Grad Nailed in Parking Probe

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--A Harvard-educated New York City Democratic boss and three co-defendants were convicted today of racketeering and conspiracy for corrupting the city's Parking Violations Bureau (PVB) through six years of bribery.

The 12-member federal jury deliberated four days before returning the verdict against Bronx party leader Stanley J. Friedman '48 and the others in what was the largest New York corruption trial in decades.

The four were accused of turning the PVB into their "private gold mine" through a pattern of bribery from 1979 to 1985.

Friedman, who sat impassively as the verdicts were read, was also convicted of two counts of mail fraud.

Michael Lazar, former city transportation head, was also convicted of two counts of mail fraud; ex-PVB director Lester Shafran was convicted of two counts of mail fraud; and businessman Marvin Kaplan was convicted of one count of mail fraud and perjury for lying before the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All four said they would appeal the verdict.

"As far as I'm concerned, the fight is over when they close the box on you. I'm not giving up. I've never quit a fight in my life," Friedman said.

"I can't say I'm angry. I'm hurt over the verdict. I think it was a wrong verdict," he said, adding it was too soon to say whether he would lose his position as chairman of the Bronx Democratic party.

Kaplan said, "I'm gonna fight. Absolutely, all the way."

Sentencing was scheduled for March 1. The major count, racketeering, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and forfeiture of all illgotten profits. A hearing will be held before a judge to determine how much money must be returned.