The Nation - News from June 17, 1988

Meade Esposito, the former chief of the Democratic Party in Brooklyn who was convicted last year of giving an illegal gratuity to Rep. Mario Biaggi of New York, was indicted on tax fraud, conspiracy and other charges. Esposito, 81; Harry Dickran, president of Beaumont Offset Corp., Phyllis Zito, Esposito’s daughter and secretary-treasurer of the company, were charged in the indictment. Esposito was described as a silent partner in the firm. According to the indictment, the defendants paid more than $200,000 in bribes and kickbacks to ensure that Beaumont received profitable printing contracts. U.S. Atty. Andrew Maloney said at a news conference that the defendants laundered more than $250,000 in cash through a phony invoice scam to secure money for the bribes and personal use.