Queens tenants at condo had to pay fees and fines to Mafia thugs, feds say: “Gambino gangsters controlled a condo board in Queens and extorted tens of thousands of dollars in bogus and inflated fees from owners when they tried to move, the feds say.
Testifying at the trial of reputed hit man Charles Carneglia, former residents of the Greentree Condominiums in Ozone Park said they were slammed with steep last-minute charges for "failure to comply with condo bylaws."”
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Robert Morgenthau - Iconic Manhattan DA leaves a legacy of law & order
More at NY Daily News: “Morgenthau, now 89, mentored generations of lawyers who used his office as a launching pad: Lanny Breuer, an Obama administration nominee for the Department of Justice; ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer; state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo; John F. Kennedy Jr., and sex crimes prosecutor turned author Linda Fairstein.
His biggest cases ran the gamut from white-collar crime to cold-blooded murder:
1981 - John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty to murder.
1987 - Subway gunman Bernie Goetz was convicted on weapons charges.
1988 - "Preppie Killer" Robert Chambers pleaded to manslaughter in a Central Park killing.
2000 - Mom-and-son grifters Sante and Kenneth Kimes were convicted of murder.
2005 - Tyco corporate crooks Dennis Kozlowksi and Mark Swartz were convicted.
"They were all memorable," Morgenthau said Friday, declining to name his most significant prosecutions.”
-- Now this is what people think of when they talk about "New York Lawyers"
His biggest cases ran the gamut from white-collar crime to cold-blooded murder:
1981 - John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty to murder.
1987 - Subway gunman Bernie Goetz was convicted on weapons charges.
1988 - "Preppie Killer" Robert Chambers pleaded to manslaughter in a Central Park killing.
2000 - Mom-and-son grifters Sante and Kenneth Kimes were convicted of murder.
2005 - Tyco corporate crooks Dennis Kozlowksi and Mark Swartz were convicted.
"They were all memorable," Morgenthau said Friday, declining to name his most significant prosecutions.”
-- Now this is what people think of when they talk about "New York Lawyers"
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Vincent Pastore, 'Big Pussy' on 'The Sopranos,' settles beat charges with ex after court battle
More at NY Daily News: “TV tough guy Vincent Pastore, who starred as Sal (Big Pussy) Bonpensiero on "The Sopranos," walked away from a $5.5 million court fight Tuesday with his ex-fiance, who says he beat her.
The 62-year-old actor, who played a snitch on the hit HBO drama, was tight-lipped about the confidential settlement as he walked out of Manhattan Supreme Court and away from his battle with actress Lisa Regina.
"I think I just wanna say, thank God it's over," Pastore said. "How can anybody be happy about something like this?"”
The 62-year-old actor, who played a snitch on the hit HBO drama, was tight-lipped about the confidential settlement as he walked out of Manhattan Supreme Court and away from his battle with actress Lisa Regina.
"I think I just wanna say, thank God it's over," Pastore said. "How can anybody be happy about something like this?"”
AROD: CHAIRMAN SAYS NO TO A-ROD HEARING
More at NYPost: “WASHINGTON (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez won't be appearing on Capitol Hill anytime soon.
The new chairman of the congressional committee that asked Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro about steroids in baseball in recent years said Tuesday he does not think lawmakers need to hear from Rodriguez in the aftermath of an admission he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03.”
The new chairman of the congressional committee that asked Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro about steroids in baseball in recent years said Tuesday he does not think lawmakers need to hear from Rodriguez in the aftermath of an admission he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03.”
RON BARON FACES CODE VIOLATIONS IN EAST HAMPTON FOR DESTRUCTION OF DUNE
More at New York Post: “BILLIONAIRE Ron Baron - just six years after he infuriated East Hampton's gay community by videotaping their seaside sex romps - has made more enemies by allegedly destroying a protected dune and ripping out vital vegetation along the beach.
The founder of Baron Capital Management has been ordered to appear in East Hampton Town Court March 16 on eight town code violations related to his building of an 800-foot concrete barrier spanning two oceanfront properties he owns on Further Lane.”
-- Why the hell would Barron take time to photog gays in sex romps? I've heard of the term "idel time is the Devil's friend", but wow..
The founder of Baron Capital Management has been ordered to appear in East Hampton Town Court March 16 on eight town code violations related to his building of an 800-foot concrete barrier spanning two oceanfront properties he owns on Further Lane.”
-- Why the hell would Barron take time to photog gays in sex romps? I've heard of the term "idel time is the Devil's friend", but wow..
Friday, January 30, 2009
Cecil "Katie" Suwal OF EMPEROR'S CLUB VIP SENTENCED TO 6 MONTHS IN JAIL - New York Post
More at New York Post: “She was the property of her overbearing partner, and the madam who helped run the prostitution ring that brought down Gov. Eliot Spitzer has the tattoo to prove it.
Cecil "Katie" Suwal was sentenced yesterday to six months in jail for her role in operating the Emperors Club VIP that serviced the notorious "Client 9," but not before her lawyer said she was controlled by her Svengali-like boss who branded her in the most humiliating of places.
"Her strategically placed tattoo eliminated any doubt," said her lawyer, Alberto Ebanks, as he made quote marks in the air. "Property of Mark Brener."”
Cecil "Katie" Suwal was sentenced yesterday to six months in jail for her role in operating the Emperors Club VIP that serviced the notorious "Client 9," but not before her lawyer said she was controlled by her Svengali-like boss who branded her in the most humiliating of places.
"Her strategically placed tattoo eliminated any doubt," said her lawyer, Alberto Ebanks, as he made quote marks in the air. "Property of Mark Brener."”
Monday, January 12, 2009
State Ethics Commission Chairman Resigns - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com
More at NYTimes.com: “John D. Feerick, the chairman of the state Commission on Public Integrity, has resigned.
The commission, which oversees ethics and lobbying rules in Albany, announced the surprise resignation on Monday afternoon. The commission is mired in an investigation by the state inspector general.
Inspector General Joseph Fisch has been examining whether Herbert Teitelbaum, the commission’s executive director, or any other commission staff member improperly passed information to the staff of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in the midst of the so-called Troopergate scandal.
The commission has said nothing improper occurred.
Mr. Feerick, a respected former dean of Fordham Law School, was appointed by Mr. Spitzer in 2007. In a statement, Mr. Feerick, 73, said “my health and energy have declined and I no longer believe that I can give my responsibilities the attention they require.”
His resignation will be effective on Feb. 12.”
The commission, which oversees ethics and lobbying rules in Albany, announced the surprise resignation on Monday afternoon. The commission is mired in an investigation by the state inspector general.
Inspector General Joseph Fisch has been examining whether Herbert Teitelbaum, the commission’s executive director, or any other commission staff member improperly passed information to the staff of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in the midst of the so-called Troopergate scandal.
The commission has said nothing improper occurred.
Mr. Feerick, a respected former dean of Fordham Law School, was appointed by Mr. Spitzer in 2007. In a statement, Mr. Feerick, 73, said “my health and energy have declined and I no longer believe that I can give my responsibilities the attention they require.”
His resignation will be effective on Feb. 12.”
Dawnell Batista - KIDNEY WOMAN DENIES AFFAIR - New York Post
More at New York Post: “The lawyer for Dawnell Batista, 44, asked Judge Jeffrey Grob to place a gag order on the case after her estranged husband, Richard Batista, held a news conference last week accusing her of adultery.
Though Grob denied the motion, lawyer Douglas Rothkopf also argued that his client was the victim of a "hyper-suspicious" husband and that no adultery had ever taken place.
"He would rummage through her underwear drawer sniffing her underwear [to see if she had cheated]," Rothkopf said inside a Mineola courtroom.
Batista, a vascular surgeon at Nassau University Medical Center, said that his wife left him after having an affair with her physical therapist.
The Batista's were both in court this morning, but never made eye contact with one other throughout the proceeding.
"This is a man who put his life on the line and his wife has treated him like a piece of dirt," said Richard Batista's lawyer, Dominic Barbara, adding that his client has the right to speak publicly about what he had been through.”
Though Grob denied the motion, lawyer Douglas Rothkopf also argued that his client was the victim of a "hyper-suspicious" husband and that no adultery had ever taken place.
"He would rummage through her underwear drawer sniffing her underwear [to see if she had cheated]," Rothkopf said inside a Mineola courtroom.
Batista, a vascular surgeon at Nassau University Medical Center, said that his wife left him after having an affair with her physical therapist.
The Batista's were both in court this morning, but never made eye contact with one other throughout the proceeding.
"This is a man who put his life on the line and his wife has treated him like a piece of dirt," said Richard Batista's lawyer, Dominic Barbara, adding that his client has the right to speak publicly about what he had been through.”
Friday, January 9, 2009
Bloggers Get Press Credentials From NY Police - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com
More at NYTimes.com: “Three bloggers who had sued New York City after the Police Department denied them press credentials because they work for online or nontraditional news outlets were issued credentials on Friday after the police relented, the bloggers’ lawyer, Norman Siegel, said.
The three men — Rafael MartÃnez Alequin, Ralph E. Smith and David Wallis — filed a federal lawsuit in November asserting that they were denied press credentials in 2007 “with little explanation or opportunity for appeal.” They argued that the system for issuing press credentials was “inconsistent and constitutionally flawed.”
Mr. Siegel walked out of 1 Police Plaza on Friday morning with the three men, who were issued press identification cards, one of the types of press credentials issued by the Police Department. Mr. Siegel sad he was delighted with the outcome, but he vowed to continue the lawsuit, saying further reforms were needed.”
The three men — Rafael MartÃnez Alequin, Ralph E. Smith and David Wallis — filed a federal lawsuit in November asserting that they were denied press credentials in 2007 “with little explanation or opportunity for appeal.” They argued that the system for issuing press credentials was “inconsistent and constitutionally flawed.”
Mr. Siegel walked out of 1 Police Plaza on Friday morning with the three men, who were issued press identification cards, one of the types of press credentials issued by the Police Department. Mr. Siegel sad he was delighted with the outcome, but he vowed to continue the lawsuit, saying further reforms were needed.”
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Mysterious sweet syrup smell wafts over Manhattan again
More at NY Daily News: “It's back!
That sweet smell that wafted over the city a few years ago - described as maple syrup, French toast, pancakes and even coffee cake - is in the air again, officials said Tuesday.
The city's 311 system received about 35 calls Monday night from New Yorkers reporting the mysterious scent drifting through parts of upper Manhattan and Queens.
[DO YOU SMELL IT? Tell us where you are in the city and where you're smelling it in the comments section below.]
"The maple scent was light," a reader with the screen name LuckyLady wrote on nydailynews.com. "While moving around my apartment ... the scent hit me again, only this time it was stronger."
The city Department of Environmental Protection sent inspectors to the areas to conduct air tests.
They confirmed the scent, but the source of the smell is still unknown, officials said.
Another Daily News reader initially thought the smell came from a pine tree.
"I noticed it, and it was strong enough to make me want to know what it was before I got to my corner when I left my apartment," the reader, Page One, wrote on the Web site.”
That sweet smell that wafted over the city a few years ago - described as maple syrup, French toast, pancakes and even coffee cake - is in the air again, officials said Tuesday.
The city's 311 system received about 35 calls Monday night from New Yorkers reporting the mysterious scent drifting through parts of upper Manhattan and Queens.
[DO YOU SMELL IT? Tell us where you are in the city and where you're smelling it in the comments section below.]
"The maple scent was light," a reader with the screen name LuckyLady wrote on nydailynews.com. "While moving around my apartment ... the scent hit me again, only this time it was stronger."
The city Department of Environmental Protection sent inspectors to the areas to conduct air tests.
They confirmed the scent, but the source of the smell is still unknown, officials said.
Another Daily News reader initially thought the smell came from a pine tree.
"I noticed it, and it was strong enough to make me want to know what it was before I got to my corner when I left my apartment," the reader, Page One, wrote on the Web site.”
Monday, January 5, 2009
Vivian Squires, 86, Victim of Queens Slasher - New York Post
QNS. SLASHER HUNT - New York Post: “A man crept into an elderly Queens woman's home through an open window yesterday and viciously slashed her, robbed her and fled in her car, authorities said.
Vivian Squires, 86, a grandmother who lives in Jamaica, was asleep in her bed when an unidentified man climbed though a window in her single-family home at 6:17 a.m., sources said.
He put a pillow over her face and repeatedly slashed her head, neck and back. He then took cash and jewelry before driving away in her tan Chrysler sedan, police and family members said.”
Vivian Squires, 86, a grandmother who lives in Jamaica, was asleep in her bed when an unidentified man climbed though a window in her single-family home at 6:17 a.m., sources said.
He put a pillow over her face and repeatedly slashed her head, neck and back. He then took cash and jewelry before driving away in her tan Chrysler sedan, police and family members said.”
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Woman Slashed While Jogging in Park Behind Gracie Mansion - NYTimes.com
More at NYTimes.com: “A 39-year-old woman jogging in a park behind Gracie Mansion on Sunday afternoon was slashed across the forehead by a man who walked away after the attack, the police said.
The attack occurred in Carl Schurz Park, near the corner of East 88th Street and East End Avenue, shortly before 2 p.m..”
The attack occurred in Carl Schurz Park, near the corner of East 88th Street and East End Avenue, shortly before 2 p.m..”
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Gov. David Paterson: Risk in Passing Over Kennedy for Senate Seat - NYTimes.com
More at NYTimes.com: “It has been opined on chat shows and blogs, insisted on publicly and whispered privately. It has somehow been concluded — with delight in some quarters and aggravation in others — that Gov. David A. Paterson has little choice but to appoint Caroline Kennedy, she of the royal political lineage, fund-raising prowess and pure star power, to the United States Senate.
“I’ve heard this a hundred times: ‘He has to pick her,’ ” said Erick C. Mullen, a Democratic political consultant who has worked extensively in New York. “Or what? If he doesn’t pick her, what happens?””
--- What happens is he takes it in the rear in fund-raising, assuming a viable alternative candidate comes forward for Governor.
“I’ve heard this a hundred times: ‘He has to pick her,’ ” said Erick C. Mullen, a Democratic political consultant who has worked extensively in New York. “Or what? If he doesn’t pick her, what happens?””
--- What happens is he takes it in the rear in fund-raising, assuming a viable alternative candidate comes forward for Governor.
