VOL. 21 • NUMBER 26 • JULY 14, 2022
FIRST IN FLIGHT
Borough Student Makes History by Becoming First Female Eagle Scout in Queens
See story on page 2
Congresswoman Grace Meng (l.) with Kayla Chow and her parents during the recent momentous ceremony in Flushing. Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng
THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 26 • JULY 14, 2022 | 1
Fresh Meadows Woman becomes First Female Eagle Scout in The World’s Borough By Michael V. Cusenza Fresh Meadows resident Kayla Chow is a pioneer. The Cardozo High School alum and current City College sophomore recently became the first female Eagle Scout in Queens, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) proudly announced this week. Chow officially became an Eagle Scout on April 28, 2021. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the formal ceremony was postponed until a few weeks ago in late May. The ceremony, which took place in Flushing, was also attended by family, friends and fellow scouts. Chow, 19, who was born, raised and still resides in Fresh Meadows, is a founding member of Scouts BSA’s Female Troop 253 based in Flushing, a unit launched in 2019 when the Boy Scouts of America permitted girls throughout the country to join its flagship Boy Scouts program, and as a result, renamed it to Scouts BSA. In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, a scout must achieve the following: • Be active in their troop for at least six months as a life scout • Show dedication to scout oath and scout law • Provide references from family, work, and other entities and community groups • Earn 21 merit badges
Chow and Rep. Meng
• Serve a minimum of six months in a leadership position • Propose, plan and carry out an Eagle Scout service project • Attend a scoutmaster conference • Pass a board of review Meng praised Chow for her tremendous accomplishment during Chow’s recent Court of Honor ceremony which is the celebration of an individual who has
Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng
earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Established in 1911, an Eagle Scout is the highest achievement attainable in Scouts BSA. “I am incredibly proud to congratulate my constituent Kayla Chow, and I commend her for this historic accomplishment,” Meng said. “She is an exceptional individual who through hard work, community service and
determination rose to reach this great milestone. I was honored to take part in her ceremony, and I know that she will serve as a wonderful role model and inspiration to other female scouts in our borough and across New York City. I wish her all the best for a bright and successful future.” “Being the first female Eagle Scout in Queens is a huge honor,” Chow said. “I am extremely proud to have earned this accomplishment and I thank Congresswoman Meng for being part of it. I encourage younger scouts, or anyone who wants to join Scouts BSA, to go for the highest rank that they can possibly achieve, and of course, it would be great to strive to become an Eagle Scout. Always do your best, don't get discouraged and have fun along the way.” Chow has earned 26 merit badges which are awards scouts receive after finishing an area of study that increases their knowledge and abilities. These include areas such as first aid, communications, cooking, emergency preparedness or lifesaving, personal fitness, family life, personal management, camping, environmental science or sustainability, and swimming, hiking or cycling, among many other areas. She has also worked to encourage and recruit female scouts. Chow now serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Female Troop 253.
Addabbo, Ariola Team-up for Free Rain Barrel Giveaway in Howard Beach By Forum Staff State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) are set to partner with the City Department of Environmental Protection this weekend in Howard Beach for another giveaway event. On Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents who register with Addabbo’s
Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo and Coiuncilwoman Ariola
office will be able to collect a free rain barrel at the New York Families for Autistic Children (NYFAC) building, located at 164-14 Cross Bay Blvd. The DEP has allotted only 50 rain barrels for this event, so in order to guarantee that you receive a barrel, you must register through Addabbo’s office. Those who register will get to pick up their rain barrels between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Then, from noon to 1 p.m., if there are any leftover barrels, they will be given away to anyone who did not register on a first-come, first-served basis. “After a successful giveaway event in Glendale back in May, I am happy to bring another rain barrel giveaway to Howard Beach,” Addabbo said. “The last event was so popular that we had to turn away registrants because we filled the 50-barrel quota in just a few short days. That goes to show the usefulness of these barrels. By storing rain water in the barrels, people can use that to water their gardens or wash their car instead of using the tap from the house. This not only saves money on their water bills, but it is environmentally friendly as well.” The rain barrels are 55-gallon plastic barrels that attach to a rain gutter to collect and store excess water during peri-
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ods of rainfall. That rainwater can later be used to complete tasks around the house and outdoors, rather than using fresh water. “Rain barrels can help take some of the pressure off of our local sewer systems when it rains, and as many of our constituents know, those systems are especially prone to flooding and backups any time we get a storm,” Ariola noted. “Not only that,
but these barrels also can help homeowners to save on water bills by providing an environmentally-friendly alternative to using municipal water sources. Really, these are a win-win for all, and I hope everyone takes advantage of the program.” To register for a free rain barrel, call Addabbo’s district office at (718) 738-1111 and leave your first and last name, and a phone number.
Photo Courtesy of Google
On Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents who register with Addabbo’s office will be able to collect a free rain barrel at the NYFAC building at 164-14 Cross Bay Blvd.
Parks Double as COVID Test Distribution Sites By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams, the NYC Test & Trace Corps (Test & Trace) and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks), on Tuesday bolstered the City’s COVID-19 preparedness by continuing to expand its network of at-home distribution sites to NYC Parks’ network of 57 pools, and nature and recreation centers. Adams announced the distribution of an additional 35,000 COVID-19 tests to NYC Parks locations for their initial monthly allocation. The distribution measures further expand the city’s network of distribution partners participating in the city’s At-Home Test Distribution Program to 1,220, including over 1,000 community organizations, libraries, cultural institutions, houses of worship, and elected offices. The distribution effort joins other measures to blunt the worst impacts of the current rise in cases, including the distribution of 82,000 COVID-19 courses of treatment to date.
The City has also already distributed approximately 35 million at-home tests to schools and participating community organizations over the last six months, ensuring free at-home testing — which New Yorkers strongly prefer — is widely accessible to New Yorkers across the five boroughs. The rapid results provided by at-home tests allow New Yorkers to know their COVID health status in minutes and then immediately seek antiviral treatment through the City’s unique COVID-19 Hotline if positive. New Yorkers who test positive using an at-home test are encouraged to call the hotline at 212-COVID19 to take advantage of free, at-home delivery of COVID-19 treatments. In addition to more than 1,100 other sites, beginning tomorrow, Wednesday July 13, 2022, athome tests will be available at 57 NYC Parks pools, recreation, nature, and visitor centers for free. Note that tests at public pools will only be available to pool patrons. All locations where New Yorkers can pick up an at-home test, including NYC Parks distribution sites can be found at nyc.gov/covidtest. New sites in Queens include:
Al Oerter Recreation Center
131–40 Fowler Avenue
Mon. – Fri., 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Liberty Pool
173rd Street and 106th Avenue
Mon. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Roy Wilkins Recreation Center
177th Street & Baisley Boulevard
Sorrentino Recreation Center
18–48 Cornaga Avenue
Astoria Pool
19th Street & 23rd Drive
Mon. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fort Totten Visitors Center
212th Street & Bell Boulevard
Sat. – Sun., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. (To Labor Day)
Fort Totten Pool
338 Story Avenue
Mon. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fisher Pool
99th Street and 32nd Avenue
Mon. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Mon. – Fri., 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“During the pandemic New Yorkers have come to know our parks as more than a go to for recreational needs, they were hospitals, testing sites and places to get masks,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We are always been happy to do our part, and we look forward to helping expand the distribution of at-home COVID-19 tests to help keep people safe and healthy across the city.”
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Liberty Pool at 173rd Street and 106th Avenue.
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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 26 • JULY 14, 2022 | 3
Bragg(ing) Rights: Victims Pay the Price
Op-Ed By Joann Ariola By now I’m sure that you’ve all heard about the case of Jose Alba. For those who haven’t, let me summarize it for you. Mr. Alba is a 61-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic who has worked as a clerk at a Manhattan bodega for the past several decades. On Friday, July 1, an ex-convict out on parole after serving time for assaulting a police officer barged into the bodega, irate over a dispute Mr. Alba had with the ex-con’s girlfriend over a bag of chips. The girlfriend, according to available information, tried to buy a bag of chips with a card that didn’t have any money on it. When Mr. Alba didn’t give her the chips, she called her boyfriend. The boyfriend stormed behind the counter as the clerk shouted “I don’t want no problems,” and shoved Mr. Alba into a wall. The 61-year-old fell into a chair while the ex-con towered over him. Alba then attempted to flee, but the career criminal grabbed him by the shoulder, and Alba grabbed a knife frequently used to open boxes. The two tussled and Alba stabbed the ex-con. During the fracas, the girlfriend who caused the melee took out a knife of her own and stabbed Mr. Alba in the arm. By the time it was all over, the assailant was dead and Mr. Alba was hauled off in cuffs to face a charge of second-degree murder. Let me be clear: Jose Alba acted in self-defense. A career criminal nearly half his age went behind the counter and attacked him, cornered him against the wall and
threatened him with violence. With his life in imminent danger, the terrified clerk knew he had no choice but to defend himself. In a city that is spiraling out of control—crime rates are through the roof in part because dangerous offenders are being released daily without repercussions—something like this was inevitably going to happen. And now Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in all his wisdom, wants to charge Alba with murder? What kind of message does this send to hard-working New Yorkers? Even worse, what message does this send to the criminals? ‘Don’t worry, we will punish those who defend themselves. Go ahead and continue to victimize our citizens.’ It’s unacceptable and dangerous, to say the least. I’ve repeatedly called for Gov. Kathy Hochul to recall DA Bragg and give the position to someone who will actually do their job and keep our streets safe. Now, more than ever, it’s crystal clear that Manhattan’s chief prosecutor is unfit for the position he holds. Last week, I joined a number of my fellow city council members in writing a letter to DA Bragg, letting him know exactly how we feel about his decision to charge Mr. Alba with a crime. “The fact that you are even prosecuting Mr. Alba reveals how your perverse sense of justice not only protects violent criminals, but actively seeks to destroy the lives of crime victims,” we told him. “Your approach is not a policy of restorative justice or decarceration… You are simply rewarding the guilty and punishing the innocent.”
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Ariola represents City Council District 32
Hopefully, this message will actually get through to the DA, and he will come to his senses and drop these charges. Until then, I will continue to advocate for Mr. Alba, and I’ll keep fighting to clean this city up and make it a safer place—a place where store clerks won’t have to choose between killing someone or getting home from work alive.
Grant to Boost STEM Education
Photo Courtesy of Mayoral Photography Office
Pfizer Inc. donated a $1.5 million grant to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.
By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced a $1.5 million grant from Pfizer Inc. to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City — with funds earmarked for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational programs for middle and high school students. Specifically, the $1.5 million grant will advance the goals of two STEM-related initiatives: Exploring Futures and College Now for Careers: • Exploring Futures serves middle school students by helping them learn more about potential career paths and plan for success in the world of work. The grant will provide $750,000 over the course of three years and help expand the program to 15 additional schools, supporting educational opportunities for 750 students. Funds will support giving students access to Xello, an online platform for career exploration and planning; advance teacher training and professional development; develop additional curriculum; and engage partner organizations to provide STEM content and related enrichment. • College Now for Careers — a partnership between the City Department of Education (DOE) and The City University of New York (CUNY) — enables City public high school students to earn college credits at CUNY by completing required courses for STEM majors. The grant will provide $675,000 over the course of three years, supporting as many as 1,000 students to benefit from the program. Both Exploring Futures and College Now for Careers are initiatives that the Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment (MOYE), developed in support of the city’s goal of universal career readiness. Exploring Futures — launched in 2020
— currently operates in nine middle schools, serving 225 students in sixth through eighth grades. The program’s objectives include supporting youths to both explore potential careers and inform their high school selection process. College Now for Careers is a College Now initiative. College Now — a partnership of DOE and CUNY — is the country’s largest program enabling high school students to earn college credit. It serves over 20,000 students per year, giving them a leg up on college enrollment, persistence, and completion. College Now for Careers served 2,000 students in the school year 2021-2022 and will service another 1,000 students in the upcoming 2022-2023 year. The nonprofit ExpandED — renowned for their innovative after-school and enrichment programming — is supporting the Mayor’s Fund, MOYE, DOE, and participating schools in managing the program. “If we don’t educate, we incarcerate, and this generous grant will bolster STEM educational programs to give our middle and high school students the ability to thrive in life by giving them the opportunity to explore careers many never thought possible. Supporting our youth is a win for us all — giving them the chance to learn new skills and create innovative change that will move our city forward. These programs will help ensure their future is that much brighter and secure, and I thank Pfizer for helping put our city’s students first,” Adams said. “What our children can achieve is unlimited if we help activate their passion and purpose. I am proud to see this administration take strides towards the bright North Star that is long-term economic security and real career-connected learning pathways for all our students,” added City Schools Chancellor David Banks.
The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph
MEDS FOR YOUR PET: Don't just hand them out... People always come into the pharmacy asking questions about giving animals over the counter (OTC) people meds. No one wants to see their beloved pet suffer, but we need know that giving them NSAIDs or acetaminophen (Tylenol and oth¬er brands, which are not NSAIDs) out of our medicine cabinets may not be safe for dogs or cats, and doses vary widely. Some OTC human pain relievers can be toxic–even deadly–in pets. Never give your animal something you take unless speaking with your vet first. Similarly, pet owners shouldn't assume that a medicine good for one animal is nec¬essarily safe for another. Rule number 1--Communicate with your vet. Before giving your animal an NSAID: --Make sure you know what the medica¬tion is being prescribed for, how much to give and how long to give it. --Discuss possible side effects and symp¬toms, especially those that require an imme¬diate call to the vet. --Tell your veterinarian if the pet has a history of gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach ulcers, or surgery on the stomach or intestines.
--Tell your veterinarian if your pet is on any other medications or supplements. If your pet is on medication, make sure you ask your vet these questions: -Why is my pet on this medication and how long do I need to give it? -How do I give the medication to my pet? Should it be given with food? -How often should the medication be giv¬en and how much should I give each time? If it is a liquid, should I shake it first? -How do I store the medication? -What should I do if my pet vomits or spits out the medication? -If I forget to give the medication, should I give it as soon as I remember? -What if I accidently give too much? -Should I finish all of the medication? -Could this medication interact with oth¬ers? -What reactions should I watch for? -When do we comeback? - Will you be calling me to check on my pet’s progress, or should I call you? If you follow these simple rules, you and you best friend should enjoy a long healthy life together. Until Next Week…
For your family’s prescription needs, please call
CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.
R.I.P. Tony Sirico The Forum, like millions of fans across the world, was saddened to hear that actor Tony Sirico had died on Friday, July 8. Most associate Sirico with his indelible turn as Paulie “Walnuts” Gaultieri on the revolutionary HBO series “The Sopranos”—arguably the finest television show in the history of the medium. However, we also remember Sirico for the hundreds of hours of time he donated to myriad charitable causes, including Joe Mure’s annual “Little North Pole” in Neponsit Beach. Rest in Peace, Tony. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia
THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 26 • JULY 14, 2022 | 5
New Administration Appointments to Promote Mental Health of NYers Every Day: Adams By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced the appointment of Eva Wong as director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH) and Brian Stettin as senior advisor for severe mental illness. Wong and Stettin will join those in the administration — including leaders in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and at NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) — working to promote the mental health of New Yorkers every day. According to the administration, Wong brings over 15 years of professional experience in direct clinical services, program management and operations, and community development. Wong has a breadth of experience in advocacy and developing programs, including crisis intervention with a special focus on historically marginalized groups. As director, Wong will bring her experience in sustained, authentic conversations with New Yorkers, including young people, families, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those hit hardest by the pandemic to lead the City’s work promoting mental health wellness, de-stigmatizing mental illness, and delivering equitable access to mental health services with communities of color across the five boroughs.
Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
“With these new appointments, we will tackle this longstanding and long-ignored crisis with compassion, urgency, and forward-thinking solutions,” Mayor Adams said.
Stettin is a veteran of state government, Adams noted, returning to New York after 13 years as a prominent national advocate for mental health reform. He has drafted and led successful campaigns for improved treatment laws in numerous states and guided jurisdictions of every type and size in establishing Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) programs. Stettin will serve as a senior advisor to Deputy Mayor
for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. In this role, he will work to expand and strengthen the city’s in-patient psychiatric programs, ensure the city’s utilization of AOT is as effective as possible, and work with DOHMH, OCMH, and across city agencies to support New Yorkers with severe mental illness. “Bringing mental health care to every New Yorker who needs it, especially our
most vulnerable neighbors, is more urgent than ever,” Adams said. “Eva’s experience and dedication to making mental health care as accessible as possible is exactly what New York City needs, and I’m confident that, in her role as OCMH director, she will coordinate with our agency and community partners to ensure people have access to quality care they need. Brian has an impressive record of helping government meet the needs of people with severe mental illness and I know he will be an invaluable leader as we build a stronger system of treatment and support. It isn’t just our responsibility to support our most vulnerable New Yorkers, but also to also shatter the stigma surrounding mental health illness. With these new appointments, we will tackle this longstanding and long-ignored crisis with compassion, urgency, and forward-thinking solutions.” DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan added, “We’re excited to welcome Eva and Brian to the administration to bring more hands into this fight, and to strengthen our team as we address both immediate and structural issues in our mental health system, and the underlying social and economic drivers of rising mental health needs in our city. We need everyone to step in and step up to the challenges, and we’re grateful to Eva and Brian for their service at this critical time.”
Borough to Honor 1961 Freedom Riders from Queens By Forum Staff Six decades after their courageous travels through the segregated South, Queens residents who participated in the 1961 Freedom Rides will be honored by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. next Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall, in celebration of the critical role these leaders and other institutions played in the fight for equality during the Civil Rights movement. The July 19 celebration will recognize several Queens leaders who joined the Civ-
il Rights movement in the South to fight against the illegal segregation of public buses. Honorees include Freedom Riders Lew Zuchman, Bob Heller, Luvaghn Brown and Paul Breines. Rabbi Moshe Shur of Queens will also be recognized at the celebration for his years of activism across the South during the Civil Rights movement. The fete will include a short video showcasing the powerful history of the Freedom Riders: individuals of all racial backgrounds who rode into the South to protest segregationist public transit laws
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Adam Jones
Freedom Riders that had been arrested and taken to a police station in Jackson, Miss.
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The Freedom Riders celebration is set for Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall.
in violation of a 1960 Supreme Court ruling declaring racial discrimination on buses to be illegal. During their journeys Freedom Riders were subjected to mass arrests and beatings by both local police forces and white supremacist mobs, Richards noted. The event will also feature an art installation with pieces inspired by the Freedom Riders by artist Charlotta Janssen, as well as a performance by Laurelton-based dance group ESOTA. The celebration is cosponsored by ScanHarbor, NAACP Jamaica Branch, Queens College, Queens Jewish Community Council, New York State Senator James Sanders Jr., Assembly Members Alicia Hyndman, Khaleel Anderson, Andrew Hevesi, Daniel Rosenthal and David Weprin, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council
File Photo
Member Nantasha Williams. “The Deep South is often thought of as the epicenter of our nation’s long, arduous and ongoing civil rights movement. But Queens, like so many other movements, has contributed greatly to the push for racial and social justice, as our local Freedom Riders displayed so courageously more than 60 years ago,” Richards said. “The debt our nation owes the Freedom Riders and all those on the frontlines of the fight for equal rights can never be fully repaid, but join us on July 19 as Queens shows its gratitude to these heroes.” Members of the public who wish to attend the conference can RSVP at queensbp. org/rsvp; members of the media who wish to attend are asked to RSVP by emailing press@queensbp.org or calling (718) 2862640.
Pol Vows to Keep Pushing Prenatal Vitamins Bill
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Ragesoss
Prenatal vitamins can have several health benefits for both mother and child.
By Michael V. Cusenza A bill aimed at ensuring that women across New York have access to quality prenatal vitamins without the financial burden often associated with such care was approved by the State Senate but failed to pass the Assembly, the legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), announced Monday. According to Addabbo, prenatal vitamins can have several health ben-
efits for both mother and child, ranging from supplying more oxygen to the baby and preventing bone loss in the mother. According to the proposed law, any policy which provides coverage for prescription drugs must also cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed or ordered by an authorized health care provider. Such coverage may be subject to appropriate annual deductibles and coinsurance consistent with those established for other benefits within a given policy. “Today’s busy lifestyle makes nutrient-deficient diets extremely convenient, which presents great risk to soon-to-be mothers lacking access to consistent sources of necessary vitamins and minerals. Expanding insurance coverage to include prenatal vitamins will increase access to supplements that lead to safer pregnancy and healthy births,” said Addabbo. “With women’s health at the forefront of national news, this would have been another important step towards ensuring comprehensive care for every pregnant woman regardless of their ability to afford such services. While the bill failed to advance in the Assembly during this year’s session, I will continue to advocate for this bill and make it a personal priority for me, along with other women’s issues.”
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Boyfriend of Woman Killed and Stuffed in Car Trunk Indicted on Murder Charges
Photo Courtesy of Google
The car in which the body was discovered had been abandoned at the intersection of 134th Avenue and 151st Place in Jamaica.
By Forum Staff Kareem Flake has been indicted for allegedly killing a 26-year-old mother of two from Troy, N.Y. in November 2020, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced. The victim’s remains were discovered four months later in South Jamaica in the trunk of an abandoned vehicle allegedly belonging to Flake. Flake, 30, was arraigned last week on a seven-count indictment charging him with two counts of murder in the second degree, kidnapping in the first degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the
second degree and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. According to the charges, the 26-yearold victim, Destini Smothers, was last seen in a car with Flake after leaving an outing with friends at a bowling alley in Queens on November 3, 2020. As alleged, the defendant was with Smothers during that outing. On November 8, 2020, the victim was reported missing in her hometown by the family. Continuing, DA Katz said on March 10, 2021, a Toyota Camry which had been abandoned at the intersection of 134th Avenue and 151st Place in South Jamaica was in the process of being towed when
File Photo
“This is the worst possible outcome for any individual experiencing intimate partner violence, and we express our condolences to the victim’s family,” DA Katz said.
the tow truck operator observed a flat tire on the vehicle. The operator proceeded to pull over and opened the trunk to look for a spare. Inside the trunk of the Toyota Camry, he observed the decomposing remains of the victim and immediately notified authorities. During the course of the subsequent investigation, it was determined that the vehicle belonged to the defendant. Furthermore, DA Katz said an autopsy performed by the City Medical Examiner indicated that the victim died from a gunshot wound to the head. The defendant, who was being sought as a suspect in the death of Ms.
Smothers, was apprehended by authorities on April 9, 2022, in Osceola County, Florida. He was extradited to New York last week. Katz said, “On the run for more than year, this defendant is now in custody and charged with the brutal murder of his girlfriend, who was also the mother of his two young children. This is the worst possible outcome for any individual experiencing intimate partner violence, and we express our condolences to the victim’s family. The defendant will be held to account for his alleged criminal actions.” If convicted, Flake faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Guest Column: Poor Police Work is Letting Rapists go Free By Christine McDonald
There is a sexual assault taking place right now. Every 68 seconds someone in America is sexually assaulted. More than 97 percent of perpetrators get off scot-free. A major reason is mismanagement of physical evidence. It's time for police work to enter the modern era—and employ the latest technology for collecting and processing evidence. Otherwise, rapists will continue to go free. The evidence in a sexual-assault investigation is typically the product of a six-hour physical exam conducted by a medical professional, who searches the victim's body for any material—like DNA—that could help identify the perpetrator. The information and material gathered is known as a “sexual assault kit.” As a survivor of sex trafficking and current advocate for victims, I know firsthand how invasive and re-traumatizing these exams can be. But we believe that the information collected will help deliver justice. That faith is often misplaced. In far too many cases, the evidence in sexual assault
kits is never used. The federal government estimates a national backlog of more than 200,000 untested kits. Every unprocessed kit represents a crime left unsolved—and a perpetrator likely to attack again. In Ohio, for example, 22 kits associated with a single rapist remained shelved and untested for years. When sexual assault kits are tested and used as evidence, another layer of dysfunction can appear. Court cases often require proof of the “chain of custody” for a piece of evidence. Prosecutors need to be able to prove the whereabouts of a rape kit, for example, as it travels from the emergency room, to the police, to the crime lab, to the prosecutor, and then to the courts. That evidence may be on the move for years. The chain of custody is one of the first elements a good defense attorney will scrutinize. If he or she can prove a break in the chain of custody, the evidence is not admissible at trial. And if a defendant challenges the chain of custody, even a minor mistake can lead to an acquittal. Long backlogs and mismanagement of evidence don't just impact convictions.
Photo Courtesy of Christine McDonald
Christine McDonald
They also serve as powerful disincentives for women who wish to report sexual assault. Today, any given sexual assault has just a 31 percent chance of ever being reported to the police. Why go through an invasive, demeaning, physical exam if the evidence is going to end up in a storage closet—or if mismanagement by police is going to let the rapist off on a technicality?
There’s no excuse for losing track of evidence in 2022. We can look at our phones to determine how many houses away our Amazon packages are. Our financial and health records are online, available on demand. But some police departments still rely on faulty software or even paper files to track evidence. And multiple states, including Massachusetts and Texas, do not require police to keep track of clothing, blood, and urine in a rape kit. Simple upgrades—from implementing barcodes and RFID tags, combined with good software—will bring evidence-collection and management up to an appropriate technological standard nationwide. It will require significant investment by federal and state governments. But newer tools can maximize the impact of those public dollars. We have the technology to get more perpetrators of sexual assault off the street. We need law enforcement agencies to deploy those tools so victims aren't telling their stories in vain. For more on McDonald, visit christinespeaksministry.com.
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Two Charged in Scheme to Steal East Elmhurst Home By Forum Staff Two men have been indicted for allegedly filing fraudulent paperwork to claim ownership of an East Elmhurst home, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday. Jorge Vasquez Jr., 40, and Andy Singh, 34, are accused of acting in concert to impersonate the deceased homeowner, as well as her son, the rightful heir to the home, in order to unlawfully gain access to the payoff information of the mortgage so that the property could be sold. The defendants then used that information to complete the sale of the property. According to the charges, the deceased property owner passed away in 2019, leaving the victim - her only biological son. In October 2021, the victim noticed an email from his mother’s mortgage company that confirmed a change in contact information on the loan, including an email address that the victim did not recognize. When the victim contacted the mortgage company to inquire about this unauthorized change in information, the mortgage holder informed the victim that the mortgage had been paid off on October 4, 2021. When the victim visited the residence, he saw workers doing construction on the property and removing his personal belongings from the home, including childhood photo albums, and putting them in a dumpster in front of the property. The victim then contacted the District Attorney’s Office, who began conducting the investigation.
Photo Courtesy of Google
One of the defendants, Andy Singh, claimed he was the sole shareholder and chairman of 23-41 100th Street Corporation.
On November 8, 2021, a fraudulent deed was filed with the New York City Register, which claimed the property had been sold for $530,000 on October 4, 2021 by Jorge Vasquez Jr. “as sole heir” of the deceased property owner, to 2341 100th Street Corp., for which Andy V. Singh is the sole shareholder and chairman. DA Katz said in September 2021, defendant Singh allegedly made numerous phone calls to the mortgagee of the property claiming that he was the son of the deceased property owner. He allegedly provided the victim’s first name, and the deceased property owner’s full name and social security number, and requested a payoff statement in anticipation of the sale of “his mother’s” property. Later that
same month, the same defendant contacted the mortgage holder once again, this time claiming that he is the deceased homeowner, and was seeking a payoff quote. The defendant allegedly provided the homeowner’s social security number during this call as well. Continuing, said the DA, in order to sell the home, the defendants were required to submit several documents to the title company, including a death certificate for the deceased property owner and affidavits of heirship confirming the seller as the sole heir. As alleged, the death certificate submitted to the title company was forged, as it claimed the deceased owner passed away in 2017 when she actually passed away in 2019. According to the charges, the affidavits of heirship claiming
Jorge Vasquez Jr. was the only living heir of the deceased property owner were also fraudulent. This all occurred without the knowledge or consent of the deceased homeowner’s son, the rightful heir to the property. If convicted, the two men each face up to 15 years in prison. on a single night. After the Route Boys committed a crime, they routinely fled in stolen luxury vehicles at extremely high rates of speed, often crashing into other vehicles and endangering the lives of law enforcement officers and innocent citizens. Route Boys’ members, including Acevedo, Collado, Deonarrain, Liriano, Maisonet, Nedrick, Nunez, Rosado, Alberto Santiago and Vargas used social media to sell the controlled substances and frequently displayed images of themselves possessing firearms, including high capacity magazines, scopes and multiple guns at once. “The members of this gang showed no regard for the damage they caused the businesses or the danger they put people's lives in illegally pushing drugs, all to fuel their own greed,” said FBI New York Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael Driscoll. If convicted, Acevedo, Collado, Deonarrain, Liriano, Maisonet, Nedrick, Nunez, Rosado, Alberto Santiago, and Vargas all face up to life imprisonment. Jonathan Santiago faces a sentence of up to 40 years’ imprisonment, and Luis Cerda faces a sentence of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison in Jamaica RoadRage Stabbing the victim in the cheek and mouth before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. As a result of the attack, the victim sustained deep lacerations to his face that required approximately 150 stitches and continues to recover with visible scars. “A minor vehicle collision should have
never escalated to brutal violence by this defendant, who was found guilty of assault in the first degree following a two-weeklong trial. He has now been sentenced to prison for his criminal actions,” Katz said. “I hope the victim continues to recover from the sustained injuries caused by the defendant.”
Photo Courtesy of Google
The victim was driving past the defendant’s vehicle near Liverpool Street and 109th Avenue in Jamaica when Finley opened his car door and struck the other automobile.
By Forum Staff A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for stabbing a man in the face with a broken glass bottle following a minor traffic incident in Jamaica in November 2020, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday. Robert Finley, 46, was convicted after trial last month of assault in the first degree. Late Monday, Queens Supreme Court Justice Michelle Johnson imposed the sentence of 14 years in prison to be
followed by five years’ post-release supervision. According to trial records, on Nov. 1, 2020, between 11:40 a.m. and 11:55 a.m., the victim was driving past the defendant’s vehicle near Liverpool Street and 109th Avenue when Finley opened his car door and struck the other automobile. The victim pulled over and stepped out of his car to inspect the damage, at which point Finley approached with a glass bottle. The defendant slammed the bottle on the victim’s head, Photo Courtesy of DA Katz then used shards of the broken glass to stab “A minor vehicle collision should have never escalated to brutal violence by this defendant,” DA Katz said.
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Legal Notices Notice of Formation: CLF PROPERTY HOLDING LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/07/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to 38 MONROE ST. PHA, NEW YORK, NY, 10002, USA Purpose: Any lawful purpose or activity
Notice of Formation: GERAGHTY CONTNENT CONSULTING LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/13/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to MATT GERAGHTY, 3637 31ST STREET, AP. 2A, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, 1106 Purpose: Any lawful purpose or activity
Nikpar LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 9/22/2021. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 2315 24th Ave., Astoria, NY 11102. General Purpose. Notice of formation of DAILEY’S VETERANS SERVICES, LLC Art. Of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/18/22. Office in Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the 131-72 231st STREET, LAURELTON, NY 11413 USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of 80-10 209TH ST LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/08/22. Office in Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 7307 194TH ST FRESH MEADOWS, NY, 11366. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 34-26 76th Street LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/11/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Stephan Mignot, 34-26 76th St., Jackson Heights, NY 11372. General Purpose.
Notice of formation of SUPER RISE REALTY LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/10/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 9224 Queens Blvd., Ste. 740293, Rego Park, NY 11374. Purpose: any lawful act.
Notice of Formation of ZMWIN LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/27/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 106-18 49th Ave, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of 35 AVE XU OPERATOR LLC Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/06/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against to: THE LLC 35-06 LEAVITT ST., SUITE CF-A, FLISHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: any lawful act.
DMLIC LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/9/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process 4325 Hunter St., apt. 837E, Long Island City, NY 11101. General Purpose
BROKERHEDGE.COM LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/11/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Isaac Cohen, 9955 65 Avenue, Rego Park, NY 11374. Reg Agent: Isaac Cohen, 9955 65 Avenue, Rego Park, NY 11374. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
104 CORONA ASSOCIATES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/06/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 104-01 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. FERN AND AURORA LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/14/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:CHERRY ADAME, 8316 CHARLECOTE RIDGE, JAMAICA ESTATES, NY, 11432, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. 70th Ave Forest Hills LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/23/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 100-11 70th Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375. General Purpose.
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48-39 40TH SUNNYSIDE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/29/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 70Bluebird Lane, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. REALTOPIA REAL ESTATE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/06/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to REALTOPIA REAL ESTATE LLC 4721 188TH STREET, FLUSHING NY, 11358, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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