After a disagreement over the choice of state judges, Brooklyn Democratic Party heavyweight Frank Seddio is shown on film threatening to rip the “f—ing heart out” of a party activist and wishing him a dreadful death.
Angry and being prevented by coworkers from storming towards district head David Schwartz, the septuagenarian former chairman of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, “What I am is a fu–ing Sicilian who will take your f—ing heart out. You are absolutely done. Never f—ing call me again. Don’t go call me for anything. Drop dead.”
Seddio, who continues to have influence in the party as chairman emeritus and a district leader, is then captured on camera by a startled Schwartz.
The angry Seddio seemed unconcerned that his rant had been captured on camera.
NEWS: Last week, Brooklyn Democratic Party executives held a secret meeting to hash out their judicial nominees for NY Supreme Court—ahead of the party's official judicial convention.
— George Joseph (@georgejoseph94) August 8, 2022
Afterwards, party exec Frank Seddio had to be blocked from physically going after a colleague: pic.twitter.com/KZreVNLKBj
He says Schwartz, “Here I am, David, you should only suffer a terrible death.”
Doug Schneider, a member of the executive committee, makes an effort to calm Seddio down.
He says to Seddio, “Frank, let’s go outside.”
The altercation took place last week at Nick’s Lobster House in Marine Park during a meeting of the executive committee of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
The executive committee was recommending a list of 12 candidates for judgeships to the state Supreme Court in Brooklyn for a judicial nominating convention two days later, which typically entails a voice vote among district leaders that is largely called the way party bosses have predetermined it should be.
Democratic legislator Shaquana Boykin, who was there, claimed to have witnessed the argument as she left the restaurant following the meeting.
Later, according to Boykin, she “apologized to Schwartz for Frank’s bad behavior.”
Schwartz was present at his most recent meeting. He was defeated in the district leader primary by Pinny Ringel, a supporter of Mayor Eric Adams. Andrew Yang received Schwartz’s support in the Democratic mayoral race over Adams the previous year.
In New York, particularly in the city, the choice of judges has long been a subject of debate, including corruption scandals involving candidates and party officials. The federal government found former Brooklyn Democratic leader Clarence Norman guilty of selling judgeships.
The selecting procedure is greatly influenced by the Democratic Party leaders. Critics have long argued that the convention’s delegates not only submit a list of judges to the judicial delegation but also support the leadership’s decisions because many of them have connections to the party.
