Was Clarence Norman given a bum rap? The question begs to be asked in light of former Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes facing prosecution himself for felony misuse of office amid several several overturned murder convictions under his tenure.
Norman wielded a lot of power in Brooklyn. He rose in the ranks of the Central Brooklyn political clubs to become the Crown Heights assemblyman and the Kings County Democratic Party Boss. The boss, then as now, plays a large role in picking judicial and political candidates, and steers a lot of political business and patronage jobs.
Hynes let the press know in 2003 that he was investigating Norman on selling party endorsements to judicial candidates. The investigation yielded nothing, but with the press smelling blood, Norman was convicted in 2006 for accepting about $1,300 over the campaign finance limits, writing a check from his campaign coffers to himself for $5,000 and for having a failed Judicial candidate write the Kings County Democratic Party a check for $10,000 to help offset the Party’s cost for running the countywide election.
“Even Ed Koch, who was said to be a sworn political enemy of Clarence Norman said at most the charges relating to campaign finance was a fine and should have never resulted in criminal charges,” said one lawmaker, adding that several current elected city and state officials pay fines for these “bookkeeping indiscretions.
Interestingly, the prosecuting district attorney in the Norman trial was Hynes’ top lieutenant, Michael Vecchione, who is also at the center of several murder convictions that have been overturned. Most notably, he was the prosecutor in the 1994 wrongful conviction of Jabbar Collins, who recently settled with the city for $10 million for his 16-year wrongful imprisonment after a judge vacated his conviction in 2010, after finding evidence of prosecutorial misconduct.
Norman, who served 18 months in jail on the convictions before being paroled, has steadfastly maintained his innocence.
“People file and forget disclosures and you amend it,” said Norman of the two campaign-related charges. “The Board of Elections allows amended campaign filings, but instead of getting a chance to amend my filings, I was indicted. And then during the trial they threatened to prosecute my witness if she testified on my behalf. Could I have done better in my bookkeeping? Certainly, but there was no coercion or stealing.”
Norman noted that Hynes had a history of going after enemies including two candidates – former Judge John Phillips and Sandra Roper – that ran or planned to run against him in primaries. In the case of Phillips, Hynes had him declared mentally incompetent , and appointed his friend, Harvey Greenberg as the conservator of his multi-million dollar estate including his ownership of Bed-Stuy’s historic Slave Theater, said Norman.
Norman said in the case of Roper, Hynes had her indicted for allegedly stealing money from a legal client.
Through the ordeal, Norman said he bears no malice toward Hynes. “I just want justice whether or not he (Hynes) is acquitted or charged. I never had ill feelings towards Joe Hynes.”
While Norman remains out of politics, he said he maintains a good relationship and friendship with current Kings County Democratic chair Frank Seddio, and his immediate predessesor, Vito Lopez. He also remains active in the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, of which his father is the longtime pastor and with several charities.
“I consider myself blessed beyond measure,” said Norman.
