THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 24 • SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

OZONE PARK BLAZE CLAIMS BOY, 9

See Story on Page 2

A 9-year-old boy early Wednesday morning was declared dead at the scene of a fire inside a home on 102nd Road near 81st Street in Ozone Park, City Fire officials said.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 2 2021 | 1

Boy, 9, Perishes in Ozone Park Blaze

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

By Michael V. Cusenza A 9-year-old boy died and 11 people were injured early Wednesday morning in an allhands fire in Ozone Park, according to the City Fire Department and published reports.

After the inferno was declared under control, firefighters found Remi Hernandez unconscious and unresponsive in the basement apartment of the three-story residential building on 102nd Road near 81st Street.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“He was screaming, ‘Mommy, mommy, help me!’” family friend Humberto Gilbert told the New York Post. “It was really bad because we were trying to save him.”

According to the FDNY, the blaze broke out in the basement around 2 a.m. and quickly crawled to the upper floors.

Marshals announced that the fire was accidental, caused by the charging of batteries for an e-bike/scooter. No smoke alarm was present in the building, investigators noted.

City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro also noted that Remi’s death marked the third fatality this year linked to e-bike battery charging.

“We’ve had numerous fires, numerous injuries, property damage, all caused by charging these batteries in the bikes,” Nigro said, according to the Post.

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

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

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

Group to Help Clean Addabbo Bridge

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Let us begin helping you with a free consultation.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

Sen. Addabbo ( from l.), Jesus Lopez, Isiaih Watkins, Ashanti Wilkens, and Neil Giannelli, Addabbo’s chief of staff, pitch in to help spruce up the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge.

By Forum Staff State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) has partnered with the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island to bring in a crew to help clean the area near the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge, the senator announced Monday.

Over the summer, the span, which connects Howard Beach and Broad Channel, has been a target for an increased amount of litter and illegal dumping, prompting complaints from local residents, Addabbo noted.

Previously, the New York City Department of Transportation had personnel who would occasion-

File Photo

Over the summer, the span has been a target for an increased amount of litter and illegal dumping.

ally clean the bridge, but due to COVID-19, that program had to be suspended, leaving the bridge and the pedestrian paths full of debris.

After several calls and emails from constituents alerting him to the condition of the bridge, Addabbo and his office team reached out to the council and were able to collaborate on bringing in the City Cleanup Corps to address the conditions at the bridge.

“While I understand why DOT could not continue their cleaning of the bridge during COVID, and I greatly appreciated their work, the growing debris issue needed to be addressed on a regular basis. I’m also extremely grateful for the efforts of all the volunteers from the community who did a great job cleaning the bridge and surrounding area,” Addabbo said. “But the conditions have worsened and the trash has accumulated so quickly, that currently a daily maintaining of the bridge is needed. I am thankful that the opportunity to work with the JCC and CCC arose.”

Now, Addabbo’s office has up to four people from the CCC to clean the bridge five days a week—and it has made a noticeable difference, the senator said.

“I am grateful for the four members of the CCC who come each day and clean up the bridge, the pedestrian path and the grass areas around it,” Addabbo added. “I want to express my thanks to the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island for their partnership in this endeavor, as long as the funding lasts.”

Addabbo said he’s hopeful that with additional City or State funding the program can continue well into 2022.

Also, the CCC is looking for people to be a part of the cleanup program. For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach district office at (718) 738-1111.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 2 2021 | 3

Hochul Announces New Measures to Combat COVID Delta Variant

By Forum Staff Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced new measures to combat the COVID-19 Delta variant and updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating the virus.

Speaking at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine, Hochul announced that she will be working with localities, the state health department and the Public Health and Health Planning Council in the days ahead to put in place mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated public and charter school employees, and to establish a vaccination requirement for all staff at state-regulated facilities and congregate settings. The governor announced $65 million will be available to local health departments across the state to support the quick and reliable distribution of booster shots.

Hochul said getting children back to school where they can learn most effectively and protecting the students, teachers and staff are top priorities. Building on the State Department of Health’s directive requiring universal masking for anyone entering schools, the governor will be working with localities, the department of health and the Public Health and Health Planning Council in the days ahead to implement a mandatory weekly COVID testing for school staff that are not vaccinated.

Following the DOH’s announcement last week that all staff in health care facilities need to be vaccinated, the state is exploring

Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 55,602 COVID-19 Vaccination Data for New York as of August 31, 11 a.m.: Total vaccine doses administered 23,665,694 Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 46,143 Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 367,128 Ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose – 77 percent Ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 69.9 Ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 79.7 Ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 71.6 New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 64.9 New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 58.5 Photo Courtesy of Mike Groll/Office of the Governor New Yorkers with at least one vaccine “This war is not over and the Delta variant is a serious threat,” Gov. Hochul said. dose (CDC) - 67.3 how to expand this requirement to include Total Positive - 3,789 New Yorkers with completed vaccine sestaff at all state-regulated facilities. Local Percent Positive - 3.96 percent ries (CDC) - 60.0 health departments will be supporting the 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.35 “Last year every community across the distribution of booster shots in New York, Patient Hospitalization - 2,234 (+48) state came together in a profound way to say, enabling them to use their knowledge and Patients Newly Admitted - 232 ‘we can do this,’” Hochul said. “This war is workforce to quickly deliver booster shots to Patients in ICU - 484 (+16) not over and the Delta variant is a serious their communities. The governor is making Patients in ICU with Intubation - 247 threat, especially for people who are still un$65 million available to local health depart- (+18) vaccinated. We all need to remain vigilant to ments to build the infrastructure for these Total Discharges - 192,839 (+185) protect each other—and that means coming efforts.

New deaths reported by healthcare facili- in to get your shot and booster shot, wearing COVID-19 Numbers for New York as of ties through HERDS - 22 masks in indoor spaces, and exercising basic August 30: Total deaths reported by healthcare fa- safety measures that we are all familiar with Test Results Reported - 95,579 cilities through HERDS - 43,573 by now.”

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

Addabbo Announces Annual Veterans BBQ

Sen. Addabbo has been hosting the free Veterans BBQ since he became a member of the Senate in 2009.

By Forum Staff State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) this week announced that later this month he will host his annual Veterans BBQ. Addabbo has invited veterans from the 15th Senatorial District to join him and his staff on Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 2 p.m. for the Veterans BBQ at the Howard Beach Motor Club, located at 59 Russell St. in Broad Channel.

The senator has been hosting this free event since he became a member of the Senate in 2009.

This year’s event will be an in-person BBQ once again. In 2020, As New York was still mostly closed down due to COVID, Addabbo held a grab-and-go lunch for the veterans where they drove up to the Motor Club, took a pre-packaged meal, and headed home to enjoy their free lunch in the safety of their homes.

“COVID prevented us from having a traditional barbecue last year, but I am happy to announce that this year will we will be able to invite the veterans and their guests back

File Photo

inside at the Howard Beach Motor Club to have a real barbecue,” Addabbo said. “Although we are back inside this year, in the interest of safety, we are still adhering to COVID protocols and limiting this year’s event to only 100 people. That will allow us to socially distance while we are inside and keep our veterans, staff and volunteers safe.”

If COVID-19 or the Delta variant worsen, additional safety measures will be put in place in order to ensure a safe event, Addabbo noted.

In addition to a traditional BBQ, any veteran who wishes can drive up to the event and grab a free take-home lunch.

“I like to say that every day is Veteran’s Day, and it is an honor to spend time with the area’s veterans and provide them with some free food, music, friendship, and good times,” Addabbo added. “I look forward to having a successful and safe event!”

Veterans who wish to attend the event are asked to call Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at (718) 738-1111 to make a reservation. Due to space constraints, any veteran who RSVPs may bring only one guest with them.

File Photo

“I like to say that every day is Veteran’s Day, and it is an honor to spend time with the area’s veterans and provide them with some free food, music, friendship, and good times,” Addabbo said.

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL— THE PHARMACISTS ROLE About one in three adults and nearly one in three women in the United States have high blood pressure (HBP). The condition itself usually has no signs or symptoms. Someone can have HBP for years without knowing it.

During this time, HBP can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other organs.

Lifestyle changes can greatly assist in the management of HBP. Proper diet, exercise, the elimination or reduction of salt intake and stopping smoking can all play a major role in helping bring HBP under control.

Pharmacists play a very important role in counseling patients on high blood pressure.

We, as do many other pharmacies, offer electronic blood pressure monitoring, and also include blood pressure checks as part of health fairs and any type of associated community outreach.

Blood pressure, like so many other conditions that are easily managed, is always aided when patients take a little time to do proper “bookkeeping”. The following tips are a general guide to keeping track and keeping informed about your condition. And please remember your pharmacist is in a great position to help you set up and maintain all of your blood pressure records and those of any medications you are taking for your condition.

1. The first step in managing your HBP is to make sure you take everything your physician has prescribed.

2. Make sure you know the name of each of your meds, the dosage prescribed for you and the directions on how to take the medicine—at night, with food, etc. If you have questions about your meds, talk to your pharmacist or physician.

3. Take care of your refills before you run out. HBM needs to be taken without skipping a dosage-you can’t skip a day or cut it in half to last longer—that’s not the way it works.

4. If you are not feeling right and think you are having adverse effects from your meds, talk to your pharmacist and/or physician at once. Your dosage may very well have to be adjusted. This is a common occurrence with HBM. DO NOT STOP YOUR MEDICATION ON YOUR OWN! 5. HBP meds may have interactions with OTC preparations. Many have warnings about not taking them with HBP meds. Consult your pharmacist on what is safe for you to take.

Until next week!

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

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BP Hails Jamaica Hospital Mobile Equipment

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. on Friday touted a $589,000 allocation to replace five ultrasound machines with new, state-of-the-art mobile equipment that can be used in any setting to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The project, fully funded by the borough president’s office, will allow the hospital to perform advanced imaging, such as elastography, and offer a non-invasive way to diagnose and assess the severity of diseases, such as liver fibrosis, instead of conducting more invasive biopsies and other procedures, Richards noted.

File Photo

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 2 2021 | 5

Public Meetings on Congestion Pricing Plan Unveiled

By Forum Staff The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State Department of Transportation and City Department of Transportation on Thursday announced that they will hold 13 public meetings between Thursday, Sept. 23, and Wednesday, Oct. 13, on the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program, also known as Congestion Pricing.

The meetings, which will all be held virtually, will allow the public in a 28-county region in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey to learn more about the initiative and offer comments.

The other 10 public meetings will be targeted to broader geographic regions that will also allow members of the public to learn about the program, the environmental review process, and provide comments. The feedback gathered in the public meetings will be part of the Environmental Assessment required by the United State Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration that will be published for public review. Following the release of the EA, there will be additional public meetings for comment specifically on the document.

Thursday’s announcement arrived a week after the MTA, NYS DOT and NYC DOT announced that they received approval from FHWA on a 16-month schedule for the Environmental Assessment and permission to move forward with the public outreach portion of the project.

Ten virtual meetings will be held, designed to make it easy for those who want to offer pub-

• Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m.: Northern New York City Suburbs • Wednesday, Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m.: Manhattan Outside the Central Business District (61st Street and above) Three additional public meetings will provide individuals and stakeholder groups in identified Environmental Justice communities in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey Study Area with opportunities to receive information about the proposed program and its potential impacts – positive or negative – on minority or low-income populations. They will also be able to comment on the proposed program and learn about an Environmental Justice Technical Advisory Group and a separate Environmental Justice Stakeholder Working Group that will be created as part of Photo Courtesy of Flickr/Can Pac Swire the effort. Residents who identify as living in Environmental Justice communities will learn Thirteen public meetings will be held this fall on the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program, also known as Congestion Pricing. how they can join the Environmental Justice Stakeholder Working Group or suggest somelic comment or simply watch and learn about • Thursday, Sept. 23, 6-8 p.m.: Man- one else for the Group. the project and process. The various meetings hattan Central Business District (60th Street will focus on different geographic areas within and below) Three virtual meetings will be held, fothe region, though anyone from any area can • Friday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to noon: cused on environmental justice communiparticipate in any meeting that works for them. New Jersey ties located respectively in New York, New Those who wish to register to speak can do so • Wednesday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to Jersey, and Connecticut, though anyone by visiting the MTA’s new Central Business noon: Northern New York City Suburbs may register to attend any or all of these: District Tolling web portal at new.mta.info/ • Wednesday, Sept. 29, 6-8 p.m.: project/CBDTP. The hearings will be held vir- Long Island • Thursday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m.: New York tually at these dates and times: • Thursday, Sept. 30, 6-8 p.m.: The • Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6-8 p.m.: New • Thursday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island Jersey noon: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and • Friday, Oct. 1, 1-3 p.m.: Connecticut • Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m.: Staten Island • Monday, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m.: New Jersey Connecticut

Hochul Blasts MTA for ‘Unacceptable’ Subway System Breakdown

By Michael V. Cusenza Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday ripped the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for Sunday night’s subway system breakdown that sparked a devastating fivehour service disruption involving a total of 83 trains along the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and L lines—and ordered a review to find out the root cause of the problem.

According to Con Edison, the utility lost a feeder for a short period of time that resulted in a voltage dip across the five boroughs. At about the same time, two power plants and generators went offline. It was a momentary outage that did go to the backup system. When it tried to go back to normal, there was an unprecedented surge that resulted in the subway losing signalization and communication ability; and it lost that between its command center and the trains throughout the system.

The issue ended up leading to evacuations in the tunnels: two of those evacuations were orderly and directed by emergency personnel; in two other cases, the experience was what was known as selfevacuation, where riders decided to leave on their own.

“Let me be very clear: Last night was unacceptable. If you're one of those riders or people relying on safe transport, the sys-

Governor Hochul and MTA Acting Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber

tem failed you,” Hochul said. “The MTA is the lifeblood of the city, and a disruption of this magnitude can be catastrophic. And thank God, when you think about the time that this happened. It was a time of low ridership. It was on a weekend night, late at night. And I can only imagine how devastating this would have been for thousands of New Yorkers had this occurred during

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

Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann

a morning commute like this morning. So I'm immediately directing a review to find out the root cause of the service issues last night. We need to know why the system broke down and why there's a breakdown of communications between the rail center, the rail control center and the trains. I would also be clear that we've had no indication of any malicious actions that would,

that would have created the situation, and that's why I want to find out exactly what happened to prevent it from happening again.

“What we experienced was a lot of anxiety for the citizens of the city who happened to be on the trains, and on the five trains in particular that were between the stations over 550 people were affected,” Hochul added. “Again, this is a scary situation, something we don't want New Yorkers to ever have to experience again. And again, I say this was unprecedented. The confluence of events that led to this has never happened before to our knowledge.”

Leading straphanger advocacy group Riders Alliance also weighed in on the Sunday night’s breakdown.

“Governor Hochul clearly must prioritize the resilience of both our transit system itself and vital supporting infrastructure, including power sources and distribution networks,” Riders Alliance Policy & Communications Director Danny Pearlstein said.

“At the same time, other leaders, from Sen. Schumer in his federal budget negotiations, to the mayor—who determines whether to put bus riders first on busy streets and create critical connectivity and redundancy with the subway—play decisive roles in how easily and equitably millions of people travel throughout the city.”

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Rego Park Woman Pleads Guilty to Selling Drugs that Caused Two Fatal Overdoses

Photo Courtesy of Google

The body of one of the case’s victims was discovered in a room at the Kamway Lodge hostel on 77th Street in Elmhurst.

By Michael V. Cusenza A Rego Park woman has pleaded guilty to distributing narcotics and causing the deaths of two victims, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Specifically, Angelina Barini, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing narcotics that caused the deaths of a person; one count of distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine; and one count of conspiring to distribute gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

As set forth in court filings and at Thursday’s proceeding, between July and August of 2019, Barini provided narcotics to her victims while sometimes conducting business as a sex worker. According to federal officials, in each case surveillance footage allegedly shows the victims in Barini’s company prior to entering their rooms with her—none of them appear on camera exiting those rooms at a later hour.

On multiple occasions, those drugs contained lethal doses of fentanyl. On July 11, 2019, Barini met with a victim at the Crown

Jean-Alessander Silvero, 28, was found dead at the Crown Motor Inn in Elmhurst.

Motor Inn in Elmhurst and gave him fentanyl-laced drugs. Jean-Alessander Silvero, 28, was found dead at the motel. Silvero died as a result of fentanyl intoxication, the medical examiner reported. On Aug. 5, 2019, Barini met another victim at a residence in College Point and gave him fentanyl-laced drugs which caused his overdose death. On July 4, 2019, Barini distributed and possessed with intent to distribute controlled substances containing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Additionally, between Aug. 16, 2019 and Aug. 18, 2019, Barini conspired

Photo Courtesy of Google

with another person to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a substance containing GBL, a Schedule I controlled substance analogue, commonly referred to as a “date rape” drug.

“Barini had no regard for her victims, but has made the right choice by taking responsibility for her actions,” said Homeland Security Investigations NY Special Agentin-Charge Peter Fitzhugh.

When sentenced, Barini faces a minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Fire Marshals Nab Two for Illegal Propane Tank Storage

By Michael V. Cusenza City Fire marshals recently arrested two borough residents for their role in dangerously storing hundreds of propane tanks.

On Tuesday, FDNY inspectors seized more than 120 flammable propane gas tanks from an outdoor warehouse/parking area located on 129th Street in College Point. Marshals arrested Najeb Kabuli, 46, at the loca-

tion for reckless endangerment. More than 60 of those propane tanks were stored in an unregistered delivery truck behind a wall of boxes constructed to conceal the propane tanks. All gas tanks were stored at the location without a permit, improperly stored near combustibles, and in close proximity to the pedestrian sidewalk creating grave risk of danger to the public.

On Wednesday, Aug. 25, marshals ar-

rested Hany Arafa, 45, after fire Inspectors seized 104 flammable propane gas tanks from an outdoor warehouse/parking area on Astoria Boulevard. The 2,300 pounds of propane were stored at the location without a permit and improperly stored in close proximity to the pedestrian sidewalk creating grave risk of danger to the public, City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. Arafa is charged with reckless endangerment.

Photo Courtesy of FDNY

Inspectors this week seized more than 120 propane tanks in College Point.

Photo Courtesy of FDNY

The tanks were confiscated from an outdoor warehouse/parking area on 129th Street.

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

Last week, marshals arrested Hany Arafa, 45, after fire Photo Courtesy of FDNY Inspectors seized 104 flammable propane gas tanks from an outdoor warehouse/parking area on Astoria Boulevard.

Lawyers, Doctors Charged in Massive Trip-and-Fall Scheme erated in substantially the same manner. tients. In the beginning, scheme particiConstantine was the primary attorney pants would instruct Patients to claim they Four attorneys and doctors have been who filed fraudulent lawsuits in the origi- had tripped and fallen at a particular locaindicted for their roles in defrauding businesses and insurance companies of more than $31 million through a trip-and-fall scheme, federal prosecutors recently announced.

New York-licensed attorneys George Constantine, 58, and Marc Elefant, 49; Andrew Dowd, 45, a New York-licensed orthopedic surgeon; and Sady Ribeiro, 51, an Astoria-based pain management doctor and surgeon, have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to obtain fraudulent insurance reimbursements and other compensation for fraudulent trip-and-fall Photo Courtesy of Google accidents.

Dr. Ribeiro’s office is located on 31st Avenue in Astoria.

As alleged in the indictment, from in or about January 2013, up to and including in or about April 2018, the de- nal conspiracy starting in 2013. Elefant tion, when in fact the Patients had suffered fendants engaged in an extensive fraud was the primary attorney who filed fraud- no such accidents. Eventually, at the direcscheme through which the defendants ulent lawsuits in the separate conspiracy, tion of the lawyers who filed fraudulent lawsuits on behalf of the patients, scheme defrauded businesses and insurance com- formed in or about 2015.

Fraud scheme participants recruited participants began to instruct patients to panies by staging trip-and-fall accidents and filing fraudulent lawsuits arising from individuals to stage or falsely claim to have stage trip-and-fall accidents, i.e., to go to a those staged trip-and-fall accidents. In or suffered trip-and-fall accidents at particu- location and deliberately fall. Common acabout 2015, certain members of the fraud lar locations throughout the five boroughs. cident sites used during the fraud scheme scheme split from the original conspiracy In the course of the fraud scheme, scheme included cellar doors, cracks in concrete and formed a separate conspiracy that op- participants recruited more than 400 pa- sidewalks, and purported “potholes.”

By Forum Staff

After the staged trip-and-fall accidents, patients were referred to specific attorneys, including Constantine and Elefant, who would file personal injury lawsuits against the owners of the accident sites and/or insurance companies of the owners of the accident sites. The fraudulent lawsuits did not disclose that the patients had deliberately fallen at the accident sites or, in some cases, had not fallen at all. During the course of the fraud scheme, the defendants, together with others known and unknown, attempted to defraud the victims of more than $31,000,000.

The patients were also instructed to receive ongoing chiropractic and medical treatment from certain chiropractors and doctors, including Dowd and Ribeiro. The fraud scheme participants advised the patients that if they intended to continue with their lawsuits, they were required to undergo surgery. As an incentive to getting surgery, the recruited Patients were offered a payment of typically between $1,000 and $1,500 after they completed surgery. Patients generally were told to undergo two surgeries. Doctors in the fraud scheme, including Dowd and Ribeiro, were expected to, and in fact did, conduct these surgeries regardless of the legitimate medical needs of the patients.

City DOT Begins Preservation Work on BQE

By Michael V. Cusenza The City Department of Transportation has begun previously announced work along the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Brooklyn to extend the life of the cantilever roadway.

The agency noted that it has shifted lane markings on the BQE from Atlantic Avenue to the Brooklyn Bridge from three to two lanes in both directions. Motorists should be expected to experience substantial delays and are encouraged to take public transportation, while trucks and essential vehicles should explore alternative routes, and prioritize the use of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel and the New Jersey Turnpike.

This work will immediately reduce weight on the roadway, promote safety by providing dedicated exit and entrance lanes, and provide an adequate shoulder that will minimize impacts from incidents. The City is focused on continually maintaining and preserving the existing structure as the work begins and working with all stakeholders to develop a long-term, community-based vision for the entire corridor.

“During this necessary work on the BQE, we strongly encourage drivers to seek alternate routes and use public transportation.

This lane remarking may be inconvenient for some, but it is essential to making the road safer immediately and for decades to come,”

File Photo

While work on the BQE commences, motorists should be expected to experience substantial delays and are encouraged to take public transportation.

said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman.

Last month, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gutman released a comprehensive plan to extend the life of the BQE cantilever for at least another 20 years, while reimagining the corridor for a long-term future with less reliance on large, diesel trucks. The four-part plan focuses on preserving the structure; executing immediate and ongoing mainte-

nance; expanding monitoring and enforcement; and developing a long-term, community-based vision for the entire corridor.

The long-term vision for the busy expressway includes: • Throughout the summer and fall, the City will engage affected communities from Staten Island to Queens, including businesses and the freight industry, on a cor-

ridor-wide vision for the long-term future of the BQE. • As discussed in Delivering New York: A Smart Truck Management Plan for New York City, the City will better manage the last leg of the freight supply chain, especially during the most congested times of day, by incentivizing off-hour deliveries, freight consolidation, and cargo bike deliveries. The plan also outlined ways the City will promote and incentivize the use of safer, cleaner vehicles and technology by expanding the NYC Clean Truck Program.

• By working with freight and distribution companies, the City can make significant shifts from truck to water or rail movement of goods (up to 20 million truck miles eliminated annually) to diminish congestion and better air quality.

“Brooklyn’s only interstate highway, the BQE-278 corridor will cost billions to repair, reimagine and replace, and federal infrastructure funding will be key. But we have to get it right. Buying time now — by making needed repairs, lessening the heavy loads and putting in place ongoing monitoring to ensure it remains safe — is crucial as we engage communities along the corridor to find the best answers for a 21st Century solution,” said U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan). “I want to thank the mayor and DOT commissioner for a path forward.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 2 2021 | 11

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 2 2021 | 13

Legal Notices Notice of Formation of 65-75 WOODHAVEN, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/19/21. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: 65-75 Woodhaven Blvd., Rego Park, NY 11374. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Farmers Handicrafts LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/12/21. 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 James Howlader, 111-32 43rd Avenue, Corona , New York 11368.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

LawEd Connections, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/20/21. 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, 118-21 Queens Blvd Suite #606 Forest Hills, NY 11375.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

GLOBAL LUXURY COLLECTION LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 03/04/2020. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:MISHAEL MULLOKANDOV, 11949 UNION TURNPIKE, #5B, FOREST HILLS, NY 11375 . Purpose: any lawful activity.

JSR DISTRIBUTION LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/30/2020. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: JSR DISTRIBUTION LLC, 231-10 148TH AVE., SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, NY 11413.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

LOYALTYVARISITY LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/03/2021. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: LOYALTYVARSITY LLC, 14557 232ND STREET, SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, NY 10457 . Purpose: any lawful activity. Purpose: any lawful activity.

PB ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/11/2021.

Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CHARLES F BRANDY, 209-20 HOLLIS AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 11429 .

Purpose: any lawful activity.

SIP AND SLIP SLUSH BAR LOUNGE LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 07/09/2021.

Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:SIP AND SLIP SLUSH BAR LOUNGE, PO BOX 900421, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY 11690-0421 . Purpose: any lawful activity.

LAW OFFICE OF SEEMA GULIANI, PLLC. Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 08/03/2021.

Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 198-42 Foothill Ave,. Hollis, NY 11423 . Purpose: To practice Law.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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