THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 24 • SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

SOLEMN SERVICE Community Gathers at New Lindenwood Mural to Mark 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11 Attacks

See Story on Page 2

Howard Beach leaders, elected officials and members of the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department attend “Remembering September 11th” ceremony Saturday at Sept. 11 Memorial Mural on 84th Street between 157th Avenue and Shore Parkway.

Forum Photo by Patricia Adams

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 16 2021 | 1

2 SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Holden Calls on Gov to Send National Guard to Rikers

After witnessing a Rikers Island inmate attempt suicide, lawmakers blasted Mayor Bill de Blasio for the dire conditions in the City jail system.

City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) on Friday penned a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking her to activate the National Guard to assist Correction officers on Rikers.

“Violence, death, and mayhem are now a regular occurrence at the facility,” Holden wrote. “Ten inmates have died this year alone, with the most recent death occurring just the other day allegedly from a drug overdose. The federal oversight monitor of city jails, Steve J. Martin, has reported an ‘unreasonably high’ level of violence due to understaffing. Correction Officers Benevolent Association President Benny Boscio has been pleading for more officers and an end to mandatory triple shifts. The mayor has ignored his pleas.”

On Tuesday, de Blasio signed an emergency order to execute the Emergency Rikers Relief

Let us begin helping you with a free consultation.

File Photo

Rikers Island has been characterized as in a state of crisis.

By Michael V. Cusenza

Your problems are our job.

Plan, a five-point plan to address challenges on the island.

The plan includes: • Adjust staffing at courts by shifting NYPD to help operate courts, allowing some Department of Correction staff to shift back to duty on Rikers.

• Toughen accountability for AWOL staffers with 30-day suspensions for Correction officers who do not show up to a post.

• Expand medical evaluation capacity for staff with additional medical providers to evaluate DOC officers for duty.

• Engage in emergency contracting to quickly repair broken doors, clean facilities more efficiently, distribute commissary more quickly, scan mail onto tablets to reduce drugs entering facilities, and more.

• Speed intake to reduce crowding with a goal of moving people through the intake process in 24 hours or fewer. Two currently closed clinic spaces will be opened to allow greater capacity.

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Photo Courtesy of Councilman Holden

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“Violence, death, and mayhem are now a regular occurrence at the facility,” Councilman Holden wrote.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 16 2021 | 3

Jamaica Man Charged in Mistaken Identity Gang Hit Video footage allegedly shows the defendant running from the area after the shots were fired, entering a nearby deli and walking to the home of another reputed Money World gang member. Surveillance video also picks up Brown allegedly telling others, “I seen that n---, I hit him.

That n---- drop.”

“At the bare minimum, when our kids go to the park, families should know they are coming home. Death by gun

violence is always heartbreaking. The death of Aamir Griffin hit our community particularly hard. A promising young student and athlete whose life was tragically cut short, Aamir Griffin was the unintended victim. His family and friends are still reeling from his killing. After a thorough investigation, the alleged killer now faces justice in our courts,” Katz said.

If convicted, Brown faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Photo Courtesy of NYC Parks

“Death by gun violence is always heartbreaking. The death of Aamir Griffin hit our community particularly hard,” DA Katz said.

By Forum Staff A borough grand jury has indicted a Jamaica man for the October 2019 killing of 14-year-old Aamir Griffin, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced.

Sean Brown, 18, a reputed gang member, allegedly sought to shoot and kill a rival on the basketball courts at Baisley Park Houses when he mistook the victim for his intended target, Katz said.

Brown has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Brown was ordered held without bail.

The DA said that around 8 p.m. on October 26, 2019, Aamir Griffin was playing basketball at the Baisley Park Houses. From nearby Foch Boulevard, Brown mistook Aamir for a rival gang member and allegedly fired three shots from a .380-caliber firearm. One bullet penetrated the Photo Courtesy of DA Katz victim’s upper chest, piercing both lungs. Aamir was rushed “Death by gun violence is always heartbreaking.

The death of Aamir Griffin hit our community particularly hard,” DA Katz said. to a nearby hospital and died.

4 SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

City Expands Traffic Safety Enforcement near Schools

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“Thanks to the tireless public servants at DOT and NYPD, our schools will be safer than ever this year,” Mayor de Blasio said.

By Forum Staff The City Police Department will expand its traffic enforcement against reckless, aggressive and distracted driving, with a special focus on violations that endanger child pedestrians, including failure to yield in a crosswalk, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday.

A City Department of Transportation analysis released Thursday shows onethird of fatal crashes last year happened in school speed zones during overnight and weekend hours, when speed cameras are currently not allowed to operate. It found that 24/7 automated enforcement would increase the safety benefits the city is already seeing: • As of December 2020, speeding at camera locations had dropped by an average of 72 percent.

• Speeding has declined 89 percent on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx and Union Turnpike in Queens, 88 percent on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, and over 80 percent on Rockaway Boulevard, Gun Hill Road, Coney Island Avenue, Eastern Parkway, Hylan Boulevard, and Northern Boulevard.

• Injuries have declined 14% on school speed zone corridors with cameras.

Back-to-School Awareness and Northern Boulevard Changes Last week, NYPD and DOT street teams spread out across New York City to remind rush-hour drivers of students’ return to school Monday, part of a combined and coordinated school-based effort this fall from NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau and DOT’s Education & Outreach Unit.

The event was held along Northern Boulevard near PS 152 in Woodside, the site of a fatal crash that killed 8-year-old Noshat Nahian as he walked to school in December 2013 – and helped inspire New York City’s adoption of Vision Zero. Major changes

along Northern Boulevard in the last several years include new crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands and head-starts, lower speed limits (from 30 MPH to 25 MPH) and newly installed speed cameras. The speed cameras along Northern Boulevard in Woodside have seen over 75 percent fewer speeding violations since these changes were made in July 2019.

NYPD Enforcement Plan NYPD will increase vehicle safety enforcement all autumn, with a special focus on schools next week. The enforcement plan includes the following components: • Officers on highways and local streets will have an increased focus on drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians and cyclists, speed with their vehicles, and drive recklessly in the vicinity of schools. Failure to yield at intersections has been a cause in over 60% of pedestrian fatalities in 2021.

• This multifaceted approach will also target drunk drivers. Motorists who drive while impaired will be arrested and their vehicles impounded.

• Additional officers will be dedicated to the enforcement of texting while driving and illegal cell phone use.

• Additional highway officers will enforce speed regulations.

• Motorcycle safety will be prioritized, not only by enforcement against reckless motorcyclists, but also against dangerous driving by other vehicles which cause risks to motorcycles.

“New York City schools have the most rigorous COVID-19 safety protocols in the country, but our mission isn’t complete until all facilities are safe from traffic violence, too,” de Blasio said. “Thanks to the tireless public servants at DOT and NYPD, our schools will be safer than ever this year. Now it’s time to take the next step: Albany must allow us to operate our speed cameras overnight and hold dangerous drivers accountable, no matter when they break the law.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

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Free Mammogram Screenings Coming to Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) and American Italian Cancer Foundation will be hosting two free mammogram screening events in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The first event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ozone Park Library, 92-24 Rockaway Blvd. in Ozone Park. The second will be on Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Peninsula Public Library, 92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd. in Rockaway Beach.

Registration in advance is required and walk-ins will not be permitted with September 22nd as the cutoff for the Ozone Park screening. Anyone hoping to get screened must be 40-50 with health insurance, 50-79 without health insurance, and currently living in New York City. For eligibility, you cannot have gotten a mammogram within the last 12 months. To register, please call 718-945-9550 or email amatos@nyassembly.gov.

“Getting screened for breast cancer is so important, and can truly save lives,” Pheffer Amato (r., in picture) said. “Early detection of this disease can lead to much better outcomes, which is why I’m happy to partner with the American Italian Cancer Foundation to ensure that more women can get screened. I encourage as many women as possible to attend these events to get screened and take control of your health.

Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 16 2021 | 5

You Can File an Ida Water Damage Claim: Addabbo

Photo Courtesy of NY State Senate

“While we cannot replace the items and lives that were lost, we can help those residents be reimbursed for their losses,” Sen. Addabbo said.

By Forum Staff Anyone that suffered damages from the flood waters whipped up by Hurricane Ida can file a claim with New York City to report said damages—and get help from the State and federal government as well, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) recently noted.

On the City level, residents can file a claim for water damage or loss with the City Comptroller’s Office either online, in-person or through certified mail. Claims served by personal delivery or by registered or certified

mail must be notarized and delivered within 90 days from the date of occurrence to: Office of the New York City Comptroller, 1 Centre St., Room 1225, New York, NY 10007.

For more information on how to file a claim with the Comptroller’s Office, visit comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/file-a-claim/.

To file an e-claim, visit comptroller.nyc. gov/services/for-the-public/claims/e-filing/.

To learn how to file a claim through certified mail or in-person, visit comptroller. nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/inperson-filing/.

On the state level, an online resource hub for New Yorkers impacted by Hurricane Ida launched this week, which provides information on available assistance programs and where to find services such as shelter and access to food. The information on the site will be updated as more resources become available.

That information can be found here: governor.ny.gov/programs/governors-relief-and-response-resources.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also been authorized to provide relief from Hurricane Ida. Individuals should visit disasterassistance.gov/ or call 800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week. Residents should be aware that phone calls from FEMA might appear to come from an unidentified number.

Additionally, a walk-in service center to offer support to those affected by the flash flood emergency has been created at IS 125, located at 46-02 47th Ave., in Woodside.

This center will be open each day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and provide in-person support and information on resources and services available. NYC government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations will be on-site to help connect families and individuals to critical services, including enrollment in public benefits and health insurance, housing, food assistance, and mental health counseling.

“This storm caused historic rainfall that

flooded parts of my district that rarely see that level of water,” Addabbo said. “Unfortunately, many residents lost a lot of belongings to the flood waters, and some even lost their lives. While we cannot replace the items and lives that were lost, we can help those residents be reimbursed for their losses. I encourage anyone who suffered a loss due to the recent flooding to reach out and file a claim with the city, or access the state programs to find the resources they need to get back on their feet.”

For more post-storm resources, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/em/resources/ida.page.

File Photo

Hurricane Ida whipped through Queens on Sept. 1, killing 11 borough residents.

Pols Seek Additional Relief Funds to Help NY Recover from Ida

By Michael V. Cusenza

Congressmembers Grace Meng (DFlushing) and Adriano Espaillat (D-Bronx, Manhattan) recently announced that they are leading an effort to secure even more federal relief to help New Yorkers recover from the devastation caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The two lawmakers have spearheaded a bipartisan letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Committee asking them to write a bill that would provide the highest amount of federal funds possible for New York. The committee, of which Meng and Espaillat are members, is the panel in Congress that is responsible for allocating emergency disaster funding.

“To help New York recover and rebuild, we believe several accounts should be included in an emergency supplemental spending bill,” Meng and Espaillat wrote.

“We respectfully urge that you include the highest funding possible for the following accounts: • HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program.

Maximum funds would support large-scale resiliency projects and grants to homeowners. After Hurricane Sandy, New York City and Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island received $16 billion. These funds were used to support in-

Hurricane Ida has cost hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in The World’s Borough.

dividuals and families that helped them rebuild and recover from the storm. This fund will be essential for New York’s recovery.

• HUD Single Family and Multifamily grants and loans: As you know, 13 New Yorkers tragically lost their lives in basement units. Funding here would help finance basement conversions.

• FEMA Disaster Relief Fund.

Funding would support general reimbursement, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grants, and Hazard Mitigation

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File Photo

Grant Program.

• FEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant. Funding would help with emergency planning for future extreme weather events.

• DOT Transit. The Metropolitan Transit Authority will need additional resources to recover and rebuild.

• DOT Federal Highway Administration. Funds would support street design and flooding remediation.

• USACE Construction Funding.

Funds would support existing resiliency projects and additional ones that may be needed.

“As I have said, we need as much federal assistance as possible to help struggling New Yorkers rebound from the damage and devastation that they are experiencing,” Meng said. “New Yorkers need the federal government’s support during this critical time. Additional financial help is vital to our recovery, and we will fight for this needed relief.”

"This is now the second time in two months our communities have been flooded as a result of the climate crisis, and they're in dire need for our support,” Espaillat added.

“Countless families, businesses, and neighborhoods were completely uprooted, and we tragically lost 16 of our fellow New Yorkers the time to act is now. While we continue to survey the economic toll this storm took on our community, we know that without emergency disaster funding, New York's path to recovery from Ida, and the COVID-19 pandemic, will be impeded - and this is unacceptable. That's why I'm proud to join Congresswoman Meng in leading our colleagues in this fight to bring much needed relief to those most affected by Hurricane Ida.” Others who signed the letter include New York Reps. Mondaire Jones, Carolyn Maloney, Nydia Velázquez, Thomas Suozzi, Nicole Malliotakis, Jamaal Bowman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Kathleen Rice.

OP-ED

by Joann Ariola City Council Candidate, 32nd Council District

COMMON SENSE –VS- NONSENSE During the corona virus pandemic, de Blasio and then Schools Chancellor, Carranza, upended New York City’s middle and high school’s competitive admissions process. The reason given was that students admitted to screening schools, which used standards requiring good grades, attendance and test scores would disenfranchise certain students and were not a fair and transparent process. This method would be replaced with a lottery-based system to choose candidates. That policy went into effect for the 2021-2022 school year.

This policy is nothing more than the furtherance of the mayor and City Council’s radical Socialist agenda.

Why shouldn’t a student who works hard to achieve good grades deserve the opportunity to advance. It helps build their self-esteem and nourishes their need to be academically challenged. Conversely, a student that is struggling should be afforded all the resources necessary to succeed without having the stigma attached to not being able to grasp the lesson as quickly as other students. Each student is unique, and although it is incumbent on us to educate all students, not all students learn at that same rate and should not be penalized for it.

Students aren’t the only ones being failed by the de Blasio administration. We have a growing number of people with mental illness that can be found walking the streets in our communities. Some are just quietly wondering the streets, while others are aggressive, abusive, and violent.

We cannot address our homeless population until we focus on the needs of people with mental illness. As a director for a hospital network, I have worked with mental health specialists to provide outreach programs designed to treat mental illness. I have always believed that people with mental illness are not problem people, they are people with problems. Proper treatment can cause a significant drop in our homeless population making placement in permanent housing a reality. Right now, all the city is doing is warehousing human beings without any treatment or training. It’s nothing short of abuse. de Blasio and radical City Council’s failure to treat our mentally ill population, their irresponsible decision to close Rikers Island, releasing inmates with violent criminal backgrounds onto our streets, while reducing police resources has caused violent crimes and shootings to rise substantially.

New laws no longer permit the NYPD to enforce quality of life crimes such as public urination, panhandling, and excessive noise complaints have caused a serious decline in our quality of life.

Now more than ever, we need common sense in City Hall. That is why I’m running for City Council. I’m deeply concerned about the future of our neighborhoods and

our children. Public safety, quality of life, are my number one priority. That is why I am endorsed by all the law enforcement unions, including the PBA. I have the local experience needed to find common sense solutions to these issues and give all of us the quality of life we deserve, so our children and grand children can raise their families here, too.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 16 2021 | 7

Howard Beach Community Unites to Mark 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11 Terror Attacks

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 16 2021 | 9

NYC Severe Weather Data System Needs Upgrades: Schumer

By Forum Staff New York City and Long Island’s severe weather warning system, a web-like scattering of 126 observation stations across the state called a mesonet, needs upgrades and funding for maintenance as climate change makes forecasting harder and harder, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer noted on Sunday.

Schumer has announced a push to upgrade hyper-local and real-time weather forecast technology in New York via the upcoming federal budget.

“What we saw with Hurricane Ida and what we see more and more is that storms change rapidly, varying in course, rainfall and other factors—and we need to keep up with all of it in real time,” Schumer said.

“The good news here is that New York has an artery-like system of weather observation stations scattered across the state, at least one in every county, that help us perfect forecasting with hyper-local data. The issue is, they need to be maintained and upgraded to keep pace with the new challenges posed by climate change and how those challenges make it critical to be as precise as possible with forecasting.”

Schumer, with support from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), explained how $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to the University at Albany, which hosts NY’s mesonet weather data program, will

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Schumer

“What we saw with Hurricane Ida and what we see more and more is that storms change rapidly, varying in course, rainfall and other factors—and we need to keep up with all of it in real time,” Sen. Schumer said.

provide a key upgrade to these systems that unlocks key data from the clouds, along with a $30 million dollar national investment in the country’s mesonet weather observation system. Schumer said Ida showed we need sharper forecasts to better understand storms and that the technology exists to achieve the goal. Schumer warned that without upgrades or delayed investment in NY’s system, that local forecasting ability could become partly cloudy, which could impact both storm prediction and public safety.

According to the University at Albany, data from the NYS mesonet informs forecasters and emergency managers (including those at the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services) to help mitigate the harmful effects from high-impact, extreme weather-related disasters. The NYS mesonet provides realtime data to operational forecasters and emergency managers from across the state with updates every five minutes and an average station spacing of about 19 miles.

These data are combined with data from other surface networks, weather radar, and satellite to provide real-time weather information and to improve numerical weather prediction models for even greater accuracy and precision than ever before, giving emergency managers and forecasters much greater confidence in their warning products and in subsequent protective action.

Of the 126 stations, 17 scan Doppler in real-time, and the $3 million investment would help expand this even further. Locally, they include: • Queens • The Bronx • Staten Island • Wantagh • Stony Brook • East Hampton “A small amount of federal dollars— just $3 million for New York upgrades and then a $30 million dollar investment for maintenance and expansion nationally—much of which will flow to New York—will ensure this critical tool continues providing hyper-local and realtime weather forecasts and situational awareness in NY and across the country, and this is an investment we must make so that our forecasts can be sharper and so that public safety can be maintained when Mother Nature delivers a punch,” Schumer added.

Senator Asks Constituents to Speak up on How They Would Improve NY’s Voting Process Over the next month, the Elections Committee is continuing to accept written statements from voters on their experiences and the ideas they have on how to improve the voting process.

“Voting is one of our most precious rights, and working to ensure that our elections are safe, efficient and fair is vital,” Addabbo said. “Now, voters have the chance to speak up and share their experiences—both good and bad—with New York’s registering and voting process, as well as provide suggestions on how we can improve our elec-

tions. I encourage all voters to make their voices heard and help protect the integrity of our voting procedure.”

The information gathered in these written testimonies will be reviewed and the committee will use these statements to inform their next steps, including the questioning of local and state election officials at the final hearing on September 21 in Albany.

Voters who wish to participate can visit the Senate website: nysenate.gov/questionnaires/zellnor-myrie/new-york-voters-wewant-hear-you to provide their feedback.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

“Now, voters have the chance to speak up and share their experiences—both good and bad—with New York’s registering and voting process, as well as provide suggestions on how we can improve our elections,” Sen. Addabbo said.

By Forum Staff The State Senate wants to hear from voters about their experiences and suggestions for improving the state’s elections, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said on Thursday.

The Senate Elections Committee recently held a series of statewide public hearings

on improving the voting process and measures to protect voting rights. The hearings, which were previously held in Brooklyn, Rochester, Syracuse and Westchester, featured a combination of voters, poll workers and activists who shared their experiences Courtesy of NY State Senate and suggestions for improving elections adVoters who wish to participate can visit nysenate.gov/questionnaires/zellnor-myrie/new-york-voters-we-wantministration in New York State. hear-you to provide their feedback.

10 SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Colombo Crime Family Boss, Underboss, Consigliere, Captains Indicted

By Forum Staff A 19-count indictment charging 14 defendants, including 10 members and associates of the Colombo crime family of La Cosa Nostra and a member of the Bonanno organized crime family, with various offenses related to multiple charged schemes in a long-running effort by the crime family to infiltrate and take control of a Queens-based labor union and its affiliated health care benefit program that provides medical benefits, including dental, optical and pharmacy benefits, to the members of the Labor Union, and to a conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with workplace safety certifications, federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday.

Among those charged with racketeering are Andrew “Mush” Russo, the boss of the Colombo crime family, Benjamin “Benji” Castellazzo, the underboss, and Ralph DiMatteo, the consigliere. Alleged Colombo crime family captains Theodore Persico, Jr., Richard Ferrara and Vincent Ricciardo are charged with racketeering, along with soldier Michael Uvino and associates Thomas Costa and Domenick Ricciardo. In addition, alleged Bonanno family soldier John Ragano is charged with loansharking, fraud and drug trafficking offenses.

DiMatteo, 66, is the only defendant who remains at large.

As set forth in the indictment and other court documents, the defendants and their co-conspirators committed a variety of crimes – including extortion, loansharking, fraud and drug trafficking – on behalf of the Colombo organized crime family. First, the Colombo crime family’s administration, including Russo, Castellazzo and Dimatteo, as well captains Persico, Ferrara and Vincent Ricciardo, used extortionate means, including direct threats of bodily harm, to control the management of the Labor Union and caused it to make decisions that benefitted the Colombo crime family. Since approximately

File Photo

““Today’s charges describe a long-standing, ruthless pattern by the administration of the Colombo crime family, its captains, members and associates,” Acting Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Kasulis said.

2001, Colombo captain Vincent Ricciardo and his cousin, associate Domenick Ricciardo, have collected a portion of the salary of a senior official in the Labor Union (“John Doe #1”) by threatening to harm John Doe #1 and his family. At the di-

rection of the Colombo crime family’s leadership, beginning in late 2019, the defendants broadened the extortion effort to force John Doe #1 and others at the Labor Union and its affiliated Health Fund to make decisions that benefitted the Colombo crime family, including by forcing them to select vendors for contracts who were associated with the Colombo crime family. The defendants sought to divert more than $10,000 per month from the Health Fund’s assets to the administration of the Colombo crime family.

Further, Colombo crime family members Russo, Castellazzo, Dimatteo, Ferrara, Persico, Vincent Ricciardo, Uvino joined with defendants Thompkins and Bellantoni, among others, to devise a scheme to launder money from Health Fund contracts and payments through third parties and eventually to the Colombo crime family’s leaders. The defendants attempted to re-bid Health Fund vendor contracts for claims administration, pharmaceuticals and other health services to persons and companies affiliated with the defendant Joseph Bellantoni. Bellantoni and others agreed that in exchange for the new vendor contracts, they would pay kickbacks to the Colombo crime family and would use various intermediaries to hide the payments.

“Today’s charges describe a long-standing, ruthless pattern by the administration of the Colombo crime family, its captains, members and associates, of conspiring to exert control over the management of a labor union by threatening to inflict bodily harm on one of its senior officials and devising a scheme to divert and launder vendor contract funds from its health care benefit program. In addition, for their own enrichment, the defendants conspired to engage in extortionate loansharking, money laundering and fraud, as well as drug trafficking,” said Acting Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis.

Far Rockaway Man Charged in Massive Unemployment Fraud Scam

By Forum Staff A Far Rockaway man has been indicted for allegedly filing unemployment claims under 13 different names to collect more than $150,000—benefits from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

Keijohn Graham, 21, was arraigned on Thursday on a 68-count indictment charging him with grand larceny in the second degree, identity theft in the first degree, falsifying business records in the first degree, criminal possession of public benefit

Photo Courtesy of Key Bank

Graham was arrested after law enforcement executed a court-authorized search warrant and seized numerous documents and credit cards, including 13 State Department of Labor benefit debit cards allegedly from Graham’s home.

cards in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree – related to the alleged fraudulent receipt of unemployment insurance benefits from the State of New York. Graham has been ordered to return to court on Nov. 30.

According to the charges, the defendant was arrested in the early hours of March 23, 2021, after law enforcement executed a court-authorized search warrant and seized numerous documents and credit cards, including 13 State Department of Labor benefit debit cards allegedly from Graham’s home.

DA Katz said, a joint investigation allegedly revealed that the personal identifying information of 13 individuals— none of whom are the defendant, his family, or other residents of the Hanson Court residence—was used to file unemployment insurance claims with the State Department of Labor under the CARES Act. Between October 2020 and March 2021, Graham allegedly collected more than $150,000 in benefits.

“This health pandemic has been devastating and led to millions of Americans losing their jobs. As part of the CARES Act, Congress expanded who could re-

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“This fraud during the pandemic costs our country, and our state, billions of dollars. We will not stand for this in Queens County,” DA Katz said.

ceive much-needed unemployment benefits and authorized additional money to help those affected. As alleged, this defendant saw this additional support for the needy as an opportunity to fill his own pockets and filed unemployment claims in various names to collect

more than $150,000 in benefits,” Katz said. “This fraud during the pandemic costs our country, and our state, billions of dollars. We will not stand for this in Queens County.”

If convicted, Graham faces up to 15 years in prison.

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Legal Notices Notice of Formation, BEIW LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/09/2021 Office Location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 47-15 164th St. Flushing, NY 11358. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of THE PURPLEDOT LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 07/19/2021. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process may be served against the LLC against the LLC. SSNY mail process to c/o Cabanillas and Associates 120 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 400, White Plain NY 10605. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of CITYPRINTS, LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 07/23/2021. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process may be served against the LLC against the LLC. SSNY mail process to ERICK TERAN, 83-09 35TH AVE, APT E21, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372, US. Any lawful purpose.

8032 JAMAICA CHICKEN LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/06/2021. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 8032 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11421. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of CITYPRINTS, LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 07/23/2021.

Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process may be served against the LLc . SSNY mail process to ERICK TERAN, 83-09 35TH AVE, APT E21, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372, US. Purpose:Any lawful purpose.

AA Leaf LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 08/11/21. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 91-28 86th St, Woodhaven, NY 11421. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

SERICA FACTS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/15/2020. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: SAMANTHA PARCHMENT, 153-50 89TH AVE, APT 825, QUEENS, NY 11432. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NY ATLANTIC OCEAN LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 04/26/21. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: NY STLANTIC OCEAN LLC, 133-27 39TH AVENUE, APT 12P, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

C & C CAPITAL HOLDINGS GROUP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/09/2021 Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process served against the LLC to TIMOTHY CASALLAS, 61-55 98TH STREET, APT ST. G, REGO PARK, NY 11374, USA.. Purpose: any lawful act.

CREATIVITECH LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/24/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ROSEANNE GIUTINIANI, 163-34 97TH STREET, HOWARD BEACH , NY, 11414, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of a Foreign Limited Liability Company ( LLC) Name: RD Rockaway, LLC Application for Authority filed by the Department of State of New York on: 07/14/2021 Jurisdiction: Delaware Organized on: 04/20/2021 Office location: County of Queens Secretary of State of New York (SSNY ) is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to:The LLC, 418 Clifton Avenue Lakewood, NJ 08701. Address required to maintained in Delaware: 874 Walker Road, Suite C Dover, DE 19904 Authorized office in it jurisdiction is: Delaware Secretary of State 401 Federal St., #4 Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: any and all lawful activities.

Notice of Qualification of DYNAMIC PRICING PARTNERS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/21. Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/26/21. Princ. office of LLC: 78 Lindner Pl., Malverne, NY 11565.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Secondary market ticket sales for sports and entertainment events.

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PSB NY HOLDINGS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/10/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: PAUL STEPHEN BOYINGTOM, P.O. BOX 7604, SANTA MONICA, CA 90406. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

MILITANO & CO., LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/23/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:CHRISTOPHER MILITANO,7122 67th Street, Glendale, NY, GLENDALE, NY, 11385. PURPOSE: Any lawful purpose.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

CORFU 33 REALTY LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/02/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 21 14 Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria, NY 11102. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

BLACK PEARL BEAUTY, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/08/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:BLACK PEARL BEAUTY, 104-13 209TH ST., QUEENS VILLAGE, NY 11429 USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

JXD ENTERTAINMENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/13/2021.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:JXD ENTERTAINMENT LLC, 13618 62nd ROAD, FLUSHING, NY 11367 Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

CYNEMATIC ENTERPRISE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/21/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:CYNTHIA LOPEZ, 74-18 64 LANE, GLENDALE, NY 11385 USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NYC EV MOBILITY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 6/30/21. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 33-24 Northern Blvd., 5th Fl., Long Island City, NY 11101, which is also the principal busines location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

WANG & MEI ENTERPRISE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/09/21. 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, 2820 214th Pl, Bayside, NY 11360. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FILMS, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/29/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:WEDNESDAY NIGHT FILMS, LLC, 1624 BELL BLVD.,BAYSIDE, NY 11360, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

LW REALTY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/1321. 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 LW REALTY 0528, LLC, 136-31 41ST AVENUE, 4A, FLUSHING, NY, 11355, USA.Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

T & Z LAUNDRY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/06/21. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 8935 155TH AVENUE #4E, HOWARD BEACH NY, 11414, USA.. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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