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001
KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J.HYNES
APPOINTS HOWARD GOLDEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR
CIVIC AND GOVERNMENTAL
AFFAIRS
Former Brooklyn Beep will
focus on relationships between government
and community
Brooklyn, January 3,
2002---Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the
appointment of former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden to the
newly created post of Executive Director for Civic and Governmental
Affairs.
Golden
served as Brooklyn Borough President for 25 years before stepping down
under term limits in 2001.
The
appointment is in keeping with District Attorney Hynes’ philosophy of
early intervention and alternative to prison programs that have given his
office a national reputation for crime fighting in partnership with the
communities it serves.
“Howard
Golden brings a quarter of a century of experience in dealing with
government and private sector synergies that will be invaluable in
maintaining and expanding many of the important community outreach
programs that distinguish my office,” said Hynes.
Golden’s
years in office saw Brooklyn rise from the blight of the 70’s into an
economically sound, vibrant, commercial and residential Borough.
“I
am certain the expertise Howard displayed in bringing such projects as
Metro Tech to Brooklyn will further our efforts to create programs such as
the Drew House which will be a secure housing alternative to prison for
inmates with children,” said Hynes. “His commitment to education makes
him a perfect fit for the expansion of our Legal Lives program which
brings Assistant District Attorney’s into contact with children in their
classrooms.”
Golden
will also work with the state legislature on Hynes’ efforts to change
the Rockefeller Drug Laws, expand DTAP (Drug Treatment Alternative to
Prison) and strengthen legislation protecting senior citizens from
predators.
“I
was offered other opportunities when I left office, but I am pleased to
join Joe Hynes and continue in public service,” said Golden.
“I am anxious to bring my love of Brooklyn and my commitment to
the communities to work for the DA.”
Contact:
Jerry Schmetterer,
718-250-2300
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002
REMARKS
OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES
INNAUGURATION CEREMONY
BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL
JANUARY 9, 2002
(Begin with silent prayer for September 11th)
I
have many people to thank – but I promise you that some very brief
remarks will follow.
I
want to begin by thanking all of you for taking the time to attend.
All of you are, of course, very special – both here in this Courtroom
and in the Rotunda. But I do
want to single out, and for a very good reason, two of my three other
current employers:
Dean Joan Wexler - Brooklyn Law School and
Dean Joseph Bellacosa – St. John’s University, School of Law
Also, I want to thank all of the Judges who are with us;
particularly two very old friends – Federal Judge John F. Keenan and
Federal Judge Kevin T. Duffy.
I am so very pleased that Chief Administrative Judge Michael Pesce
agreed to act as our Master of Ceremonies.
His wit and charm have added much to today’s festivities.
And I particularly want to thank Mayor Bloomberg for giving me the
honor of administering the oath to begin my fourth term as District
Attorney of Kings County. In
short order this Mayor has established a clear commitment to collegial
government and the determination to give this City what it desperately
needs, an orderly restoration of its economy.
Given the Mayor’s extraordinary success in business, does anyone
doubt his ability to deliver?
I am truly humbled by the fact that the people of Brooklyn have
permitted me this privilege of becoming the longest serving District
Attorney in the history of the County.
Only two others served as Kings County District Attorney for twelve
years, John F. Clarke who served three terms, beginning in 1900, and a
distinguished member of our audience who served from 1969 to 1981.
His presence is significant to me for both, its historical meaning
and for the positive effect he had on my career.
In 1968 the Country was reeling from its first surge in crime of
that Century. Although the
apparent crime wave would never come close to the pubic safety crisis of
the crack-driven 1980's, a slogan was developed and used repeatedly by all
candidates for political office – that rallying cry became, Law and
Order. In the same year a
prominent New York City trial lawyer was chosen to run for the office of
Kings County District Attorney. During
his campaign, he added one word to that slogan, which came to embody the
goals of his administration and mine.
The word was Justice, and so his campaign promise, which he later
fulfilled became; Law and Order with Justice.
He was my mentor for the six years I was fortunate to serve in his
Office, and he has been one of my most important advisers ever since.
Please welcome the three term former District Attorney of Kings
County, Eugene Gold.
On January first Brooklyn Boro President Marty Markowitz gave me
the privilege of swearing him in for his first term.
I was particularly honored because both Senators Schumer and
Clinton were also present. I
thank Boro President Markowitz, too for being our very generous host for
this special day.
Marty Markowitz served ably in the New York State Senate, for
21 years. He
became famous for his summer concert series and was recognized throughout
the Borough for his innovative service as a legislator. His energy, sensitivity and devotion to the people of
Brooklyn will, in short order establish him as a great Boro President.
Please give him a special hand.
And, speaking of Boro Presidents, I want to acknowledge Boro
President Markowitz’s most recent predecessor.
For twenty-five years he served the people of Brooklyn in that
Office with class and commitment. I
am fortunate that he was persuaded to continue his public service in my
Office rather than to choose a number of opportunities he was offered in
the private sector.
His knowledge of and solid reputation in the broad community of
Brooklyn and his understanding of government operations from budget to
regulations are simply unparalleled.
In a time of government restricted budgets, there will be no
greater advocate for federal, state and private grant funds for our Office
then the immediate past President of the Borough of Brooklyn Howard
Golden. Howard please stand.
I want to thank my former Chief Assistant, Al Teichman for his kind
words and well wishes, which I accept on behalf of our dedicated staff.
I take his remarks as a challenge and a commitment to do even
better in the years ahead. Over the years we have been truly blessed to have Chief
Assistants like Al Teichman and our current Chief Assistant Amy Feinstein;
all superbly talented men and women who are the backbone of our office.
Let me now welcome some of the prior occupants of that office; the
former Chief Administrative Judge for Kings and Richmond Counties, Robert
G. M. Keating, the present Chief Administrative Judge of the Criminal
Court for Kings and Richmond Counties, William Miller and former Chief
Assistant, Harvey L. Greenberg. Gentlemen,
please rise.
I wish to give my profound thanks to the men and women of the
Office of the Kings County District Attorney –whose hard work and
support for our efforts have led to levels of public safety not seen in
this County since the early 1960’s.
I
thank each member of the clergy for their words of inspiration today and,
in particular, I want to offer my gratitude to Reverend Charles Kraus,
Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, for offering the sacrifice
of the Mass earlier today. With
each of my new four-year terms, Father Kraus has provided me with the
spiritual support necessary to help me fulfill my responsibilities.
I also want to acknowledge the presence of some of my partners in
the Criminal Justice system Special New York City Narcotics Prosecutor,
Bridget G. Brennan and Mayor Bloomberg’s Criminal Justice Coordinator
John Feinblatt. All of us are
determined to work with the Mayor and his Police Commissioner to maintain
public safety for our City.
Our dais today is graced by some truly special people. I know that they will not mind me mentioning just a few of
them.
I want to acknowledge our contribution to New York City in the
person of a remarkable young woman who has worked with me for more than
fifteen years. I am proud of
some of our groundbreaking initiatives; including our partnership with the
various communities throughout Brooklyn; and the success of our inmate
re-entry program, Community Alert. She
has provided the leadership for the success of those programs and many
others. I refer of course, to
my former First Assistant and Mayor Bloomberg’s wise choice as the Chair
of the Human Rights Commission, Patricia L. Gatling.
I am delighted that the Comptroller of the City of New York, the
Honorable William Thompson Jr., joins us this evening.
Bill Thompson continues his extraordinary career with his first
successful election. I want
to now ask the Comptroller to say a few words.
And then there is my friend for more than twenty-five years who
keeps leaving a lucrative private practice for increasingly demanding jobs
which seem to defy success. His
accomplishments as the Commissioner of the Administration for Children
Services has given him a national spotlight, the recognition for a superb
job completed against all odds. Now
he serves as the leader of an agency, which has lost 343 of its brothers.
But, clearly, he is up to the task.
And he has already shown the sensitivity and determination needed
to lead our firefighters back from the depth of despair – Please give a
special welcome to the Fire Commissioner of the City of New York, Nicholas
Scoppetta.
I have known Ray Kelly since he was a young sergeant. I have
watched him, with admiration, as he climbed successfully each level in the
police department until Mayor Dinkins gave us the man whom he always
called Colonel Kelly as our Police Commissioner.
He is a tough former Marine officer with the right stuff, at the
right time, to do the right job! He
begins this daunting task as Police Commissioner, appointed by yet another
Mayor, with the depth of experience and a list of achievements, never
before seen in this office. Commissioner
Kelly has added to his luster from his first appointment as P.C. a range
of federal assignments which will make the federal law enforcement
community a full partner in his effort to achieve new successes for public
safety in our City. I know I speak for my colleagues; that we look forward to
working with him to maintain Mayor Bloomberg’s mandate – a safe and
secure city that remains the tourism capitol of the World.
Ladies and gentlemen the Police Commissioner of the City of New
York, Ray Kelly.
Before I mention the most special person of all at today’s
ceremony, I want to thank those responsible for today’s success.
From my office, Patricia Gatling, of course, Jerry Scemetterer,
Director of the Office of Public Information and Sharon Toomer, the Deputy
Director of that office. And I also want to thank Henna White and Mike
Poretsky. Their coordination with my campaign office was invaluable to the
success of this event. Finally,
I want to thank Dennis Quirk, President of the New York State Court
Officers Association without whose support in 1989, I would not be here.
I thank Dennis for the overall supervision of today’s
festivities, and I particularly want to thank Catherine Schauf for her
meticulous planning and execution of every phase of this ceremony from
invitations to program development.
Last week, I was home fighting the flu.
As I was watching Commissioner Kelly’s televised installation by
Mayor Bloomberg, I was touched as he spoke eloquently about the unstinting
support of his wife Veronica as he made career choices over the years. As I listened, I thought that his words really echoed what
many of us in public service feel about our spouses. They certainly applied to my wife Patricia.
Pat, for many years was not just the nurturing Mother to five
children, she was the surrogate parent for their absent Father.
She endured the anxiety and uncertainty of many lean years where
mortgage payments, car loans and clothing costs strained out limited
budget.
But I really didn’t understand the extent of her sacrifice, until
recently. She mentioned not
long ago, how often after putting the children to sleep, she would wait by
the window, starved for adult company, waiting for me to get home.
Now don’t misunderstand, this was no attempt to give me guilt.
It was mentioned matter of factly.
Nonetheless, I certainly felt a great deal of guilt which I did not
admit to until today. And as
I heard Ray Kelly’s words, I thought how truly fortunate he is, and I
am. And it is not only the
sacrifices. It has been for
me and I’m certain for Ray and others the recognition that without
Veronica or Pat there would not have been even the slightest possibility
of our success.
For me every decision I made, I vetted through Pat and I can tell
you that virtually every decision, which was contrary to her sound
judgment, led to a serious mistake. Please
join me with thanking Pat for her love and unselfish support.
Twelve years ago, as I stood in the well of this ceremonial
courtroom, and I promised the people of Brooklyn that they would soon see
a significant drop in crime. Brooklyn
by 1990 had become the fifth most violent municipality, per capita in the
United States. I said then
that Brooklyn was an armed camp, and so the promise to reduce crime seemed
to be a rhetorical delusion. Nonetheless,
I was determined to see a serious reduction in crime within twenty-four
months. But because of the incredible efforts of a talented staff of
women and men in our Office that goal was achieved within twelve months.
While the murder rate, which stood appallingly high at 700 each
year for the first two years of my administration, every other serious
crime began to fall. And as
we concluded the first twelve years on December 31, 2001, Brooklyn had
fewer than one hundred thousand index or serious crimes than it had at the
end of 1990. And beginning in
1994, the murder rate began to plummet, so that as we ended 2001, we had
500 fewer murders than in 1990.
The success of these reductions have had in their foundation, a
real partnership with the New York City Police Department, the hard work
and dedication of my staff, and above all, the complete support of our
diverse communities throughout Brooklyn.
Building on that community support, our education program, Project
Legal Lives, our Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison or DTAP; and our
Truancy reduction program have become national models.
What we have concluded, now with sufficient data, is that the
jailing of offenders is perhaps the easiest thing we do.
But jail we do, where appropriate – refusing to plea bargain with
socio-paths and with drug traffickers.
However, it is also clear to us that prevention of crime is not
about rhetoric but about action; and so our prison inmate re-entry program
or Community Alert was not given mere lip service, but real support, first
with Mayor Giuliani and, now with Mayor Bloomberg. Our response to
Domestic Violence born out of the memory of my Mother’s nightmare, has
forced batterers to pay a serious price, but has offered some,
closely supervised counseling in order to break the pernicious cycle of
family rage.
These programs, as well as many others have secured a safe Brooklyn
during these twelve years; But
what will be accomplished during the next twelve.
Let me mention just two.
First, Drew House, named for my Mother, Regina Katherine
Drew-Hynes. It will provide a
safe residential haven for otherwise prison-bound non-violent women and
for their children. It will
offer an education program for their children administered by the Banks
Street School, and it will give education, job training and job placement
to the Mothers. I want to
especially thank the law firm of Cravath, Swaine and Moore and one of its
senior partners, FAO Schwartz, Jr. for their pro bono efforts, made toward
the success of Drew House.
One final thing – some day soon the Congress of the United States
will enact the Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison or DTAP: legislation
pending in both Houses – DTAP which began here in Brooklyn and has been
replicated throughout New York City.
When that legislation becomes law in Washington, I am certain that
the New York State Legislature will at long last reform the Rockefeller
Drug Laws by its own codification of DTAP. With that in place, drug crime
throughout New York State and across America will be substantially
eliminated and a level of public safety not seen since the 1950’s will
return, and someday will be taken for granted.
Eighteen
years ago, when I decided to permanently leave the private sector I did so
for various reasons. Above
all, I suppose the reason was my faith in Government’s ability to fairly
and justly represent the people. Many
commentators have addressed this theme.
One of my favorites are the words of Adlai E. Steveson who wrote,
in 1948; “Government is more than the sum of all the interest; it is the
paramount interest, the public interest.
It must be the efficient, effective agent of a responsible
citizenry, not the shelter of the incompetent and the corrupt.”
Each day, I and many others in Government who may not have heard
the words of Governor Stevenson – nonetheless, work toward the
fulfillment of his dream. And
that is my pledge, to you and to the people of Brooklyn for the next four
years.
Thank you and God bless you.
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003
KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF
SUPREME COURT JUDGE ON BRIBERY CHARGE
Indictment follows investigation and
arrest by DA’s Rackets Bureau
Brooklyn, January 24, 2002---Kings County District Attorney Charles
J. Hynes today, announced the indictment of Supreme Court Justice Victor
I. Barron, who is charged with soliciting and accepting a bribe in excess
of $10,000 in exchange for signing a court order related to a case over
which he was presiding.
“Despite the transgression of one individual my faith in the
integrity of the judiciary remains steadfast,” said District Attorney
Hynes. “However, we must
remain vigilant in order to protect the keystone of our system of
justice.”
The investigation into Barron, 60, of 2036 E.36th St.
Brooklyn, began in January 2002, when an attorney who was appearing before
him in a civil case, brought to the district attorney’s attention, a
solicitation made by the Judge in June 2001.
The attorney alleged that Barron, on June 11, 2001, asked for a
bribe of more than $10,000 in
exchange for signing a court order related to the case.
The judge allegedly repeated his demand on June 12, 2001, and
signed the order. Nothing more was heard by the attorney, from the judge,
on the subject until January 4, 2002, when he called the attorney to ask
him to come to see him.
After meeting with investigators and prosecutors from the Kings
County District Attorney’s Office it was arranged that the attorney
would go see Barron on January 18, 2002. On
that date Barron allegedly accepted the partial payment and allegedly even
made a remark indicating he thought it was well worth the money to get the
case settled.
The Deputy Chief Investigator of the Kings County District
Attorney’s Office arrested Barron, on January 22, 2002.
Michael Vecchione, Chief of the Investigations Division and Jay
Shapiro Chief of the Rackets Division are prosecuting the case.
Contact:
Jerry Schmetterer
Director of Public Information
718-250-2300
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004
KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
CHARLES J. HYNES TACKLES ORGANIZED SPORTS ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY CALLS FOR
SUPPORT IN CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING
OPERATION
“KINGS FLUSH” SCORES 13 ARRESTS
MORE THAN $250,000 CASH AND 13 COMPUTERS SEIZED
FROM GAMBINO FAMILY ORGANIZATION
Illegal Internet Gambling up
to $2 billion a year
Brooklyn,
February 3, 2002---Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today
called on professional sports organizations such as the National Football
League and Major League Baseball to more vigorously support law
enforcement efforts to boot organized crime out of the sports betting
business.
”It is way past the time for the multi-billion dollar sports
organizations, the NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA, and the others, to
bench their hear no evil, see no evil, say no evil positions and to come
out strongly against sports betting run by organized crime which fuels the
scourge of our society---drug trafficking,” said District Attorney
Hynes.
Law enforcement estimates that illegal gambling generates as much
as $15 billion a year in New York City alone---$4 billion on the Super
Bowl. alone.
“Since 1993 I have been waiting for an answer from these sports
businesses to no avail. They must get their heads out of the sand before
the tragedies of Pete Rose and Art Schlicter are repeated,” said Hynes.
Hynes remarks came at a press conference announcing the results of
“ Operation Kings Flush” a joint effort by the KCDA’s office and the
NYPD’S Vice Enforcement Unit, to shutdown illegal gambling sites in
Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and Connecticut.
The operation, which culminated yesterday (Feb.2), involved raids
on 13 sites, most operated by the Gammon crime family, resulted in 13
arrests, 13 computers seized and about $250,000 in cash recovered.
Most importantly investigators seized betting records known as
“work” that indicated the raided spots were doing about $40 million a
year business.
This year an alarming increase in Internet gambling was seen.
Increasingly, bookies in New York City are supplying Internet codes
to bettors, which give them access to offshore sites, such as Costa Rica
and Antigua. Bets are
guaranteed through the bookies so the gambler does not have to use a
credit card or some other form of accountability.
Internet gambling in New York City increased from $300 million last
year to $2 billion this year, according to estimates based on seized
records.
The District Attorney thanked Deputy Inspector Marilyn Scahill,
Commanding Officer of the DA’s Squad, Det. Stan Jacobson and Det. Pak
Tang of the Squad. First Assistant Chief Joseph Ponzi
Assistant Chief Henry Lemons, Dep. Insp. Al Lombardo and Detective
Investigators Guy Deboer and Sean Winter of the District Attorney’s
Investigations Unit and Captain Henry Wallace of the NYPD Vice Enforcement
Unit and the NYPD Asset Forfieture and Computer Investigations Unit.
Executive District Attorney Chris Blank, and Assistant District
Attorney Patricia McNeil of the Rackets Bureau will prosecute the case.
Arrested
at 2157 70th Street, Brooklyn:
Richard
Kaufman
2157 70th Street, Brooklyn
Charges:
Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree
Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
Arrested
at 2942 West 5th Street, Brooklyn:
Constance
Kaufman
2942 West 5th Street, Brooklyn
Charges:
Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree
Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
Arrested
at 132 Fahy Avenue, Staten Island:
Richard
Troy
132 Fahy Avenue, Staten Island
Charges:
Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree
Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
Arrested
at 711 86th Street, Brooklyn:
Robert
Cicero 2033 Stillwell Avenue, Brooklyn
Charges:
Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Second Degree
Criminal
Possession of Marijuana in the Third Degree
Criminal
Possession of Marijuana in the Fourth Degree
Criminal
Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree
Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree
Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
Arrested
at 2915 West 5th Street, Brooklyn:
Joseph
Anemone
2915 West 5th Street, Brooklyn
Charges:
Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree
Possession of Gambling Records in the Second Degree
Arrested
at 1250 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn:
Robert
Bernstein
1250 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn
Charges:
Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree
Possession of Gambling Records in the Second Degree
Arrested
at 1369 East 72nd Street, Brooklyn:
Mark
Barasch
62-48 85th Street, Queens, NY
Rocco
Lecce
2350 63rd Street, Brooklyn
Charges:
Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree
Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
Arrested
at 416 E. 118th Street, Manhattan:
Gino
Castignoli
3233 Spencer Drive, Bronx, NY
Charges:
Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree
Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
Arrested
at 155-02 79th Street, Howard Beach, Queens:
Anthony
Marrone
723 Wilson Street, Franklin Square, NY
Eric
Salas
11114 North Street, Elmont, NY
James
Leone
1264 Bergen Avenue, Brooklyn
Charges:
Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree
Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
Conspiracy
in the Fifth Degree
Arrested
at 21 Daniella Court, Staten Island:
Craig
Kaplan
21 Daniella Court, Staten Island
Charges:
Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree
Promoting Gambling in the First Degree
Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree
All
are awaiting arraignment.
Contact:
Jerry Schmetterer
718-250-2300
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005
KINGS
COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES DISMISSES CHARGES AGAINST FORT
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL THOMAS GREENE
Brooklyn,
February 25, 2002 ---
Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes,
today, announced assault charges against Thomas Greene, assistant
principal of Fort Hamilton High School, stemming from an incident at the
school January 4, 2002, have been dismissed.
Also today, Hynes announced that Marie Neto, a swimming instructor
at Fort Hamilton High School has been charged with assault, attempted
assault, menacing and harassment in connection with an attack on Greene. A second assistant principal, Susan Russo has accepted an ACD
(Adjournment in Contemplation of Discharge) and will perform three days of
community service and charges against Georganna Rafaniello, were
dismissed.
The charges resulted from an altercation in which
Greene was punched in the head and face, requiring several stitches.
District
Attorney Hynes made the following statement:
“This Office has conducted an extensive
investigation into an incident, which occurred on January 4, 2002 at
5:15pm in the pool area of Fort Hamilton High School, in Brooklyn.
The incident resulted in the arrest of Marie Neto, a swimming
instructor at the school; Susan Russo, an Assistant Principal, at the
school; Georganna Rafaniello, a teacher at the school and Thomas Greene,
an Assistant Principal at the school. The arrest of Thomas Greene, according to numerous witnesses,
was against the clear weight of credible evidence.
Mr. Greene was not an aggressor but rather a victim.
Accordingly, the charges against him are dismissed.
I found the circumstances surrounding his arrest troubling.
But I am satisfied that the Internal Affairs Bureau, of the New
York City Police Department, will determine the factors which led to Mr.
Greene’s arrest.
It is also our findings that there is no credible
evidence against Ms. Rafaniello, therefore the charges against her are
dismissed. With respect to
the charges against Ms. Russo, we have negotiated an ACD and she will
perform three days of community service. With respect to the
Charges
against Ms. Neto, there is in our judgment overwhelming evidence to prove
she intentionally caused physical injury to Thomas Greene, by punching him
repeatedly in the face. Accordingly,
the charges against her are sustained and we will proceed to trial.
My grave concerns about this incident, which unfolded before
numerous children in the pool area of the school, have led me to appoint
Jeffrey R. Levitt, Executive Assistant District Attorney, to personally
prosecute the case against Ms. Neto.”
Ms. Neto pleaded not guilty in front of Criminal
Court Judge John DeLury. She
was released on her own recognizance for a court appearance on April 4th.
Contact:
Sharon Toomer
718.250.2300
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006
TOLEDO, OHIO GROUP VISITS
KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES
TO LEARN ABOUT TRUANCY PROGRAM
Brooklyn, March 1, 2002 -- A group from Toledo, Ohio will visit
District Attorney Charles J. Hynes' office to tour his Truancy program, TRACK
(Truancy Alliance Reduction to Contact Kids), on Tuesday,
March 5, 2002. The
Ohio group is interested in observing the operations of TRACK
and discussing approaching to implementing the program in Toledo.
Started in 1998, TRACK
is one of District Attorney Hynes' programs and initiatives targeting
students in an effort to reduce truancy as well as daytime crime and youth
victimization. The program is
a collaborative initiative that includes the NYPD, Board of Education,
Administration for Children's Services, the Diocese of Brooklyn, local
community organizations, merchants and parents.
TRACK operates out of six centers located throughout Brooklyn.
Each center is staffed with Truancy Counselors from the District
Attorney's office, NYPD police officers and Board of Education personnel.
Students are interviewed by a Truancy Counselor who contacts
parents, assesses the need for support services and makes the appropriate
referral. Truancy Counselors continue to monitor TRACK students by staying in contact with schools and parents.
During the school year 2000 - 2001 TRACK
processed more than 8,500 students.
Former Mayor Giuliani
recognized the success of TRACK and
in 2000 called for the replication citywide.
To date, Manhattan, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island District
Attorneys have opened truancy centers in their boroughs.
District Attorney Hynes' TRACK
program has also been adopted by other jurisdictions across the country.
Contact:
Sharon Toomer
Deputy Director of Public Information
718-250-2300
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007
KINGS
COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES
ANNOUNCES ARREST OF BAY RIDGE LAWYER
WHO RIPPED OFF MORE THAN $2 MILLION FROM CLIENTS
Victims include a 90-year-old man who lost
$600,000
Brooklyn, March 20, 2002
--- Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the
arrest of Bay Ridge lawyer Frank Gangemi, 38, who is charged with 13
counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and six counts of Grand
Larceny in the Third Degree after swindling clients out of more than $2
million dollars.
"Through
various schemes including check fraud, forgery, investment, mortgage and
insurance scams, Mr. Gangemi accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars
from individuals on the premise that he would invest or appropriate their
money," said District Attorney Hynes, "instead, Mr. Gangemi
would take the money for his own personal use and when questioned by
clients he would fend them off by writing bad checks."
A
total of 10 victims fell prey to Mr. Gangemi's scheming practices.
Among them, a 90-year-old man whom Mr. Gangemi stole more than
$600,000 from in a number of ways. Without
permission or authority, Mr. Gangemi cashed in life insurance policies,
sold the elderly man's Miami Beach apartment as well as mortgages he held
and wrote a $65,000.00 check to himself on the victims account.
To aid in his practice of deception the 38-year-old lawyer used his
Interest on Law Account (IOLA) as a personal bank account.
In
another instance, Mr. Gangemi was retained to handle a lawsuit and upon
receiving the proceeds of the settlement in excess of $150,000.00, he
failed to make payment to his client. After the client repeatedly demanded
her portion of the settlement proceeds, Gangemi paid the client with a bad
check.
"It
is unconscionable that an officer of the court would violate the trust
these victims placed in his charge," said District Attorney Hynes.
Frank
Gangemi resigned from the Bar yesterday. Mr. Gangemi is awaiting
arraignment.
In
2001, two unrelated victims lodged separate complaints to the District
Attorney's Senior Affairs Bureau and Citizens Action Center, which sparked
the investigation into Frank Gangemi. The investigation is on going and
could later lead to additional charges and defendants.
Deputy
District Attorney Melissa Jackson and Senior Assistant District Attorney
Patricia M. McNeill both of the District Attorney's Rackets Division are
heading the investigation and prosecution. Jay Shapiro is Chief of the
Rackets Division. Michael F.Vecchione is Chief of the Investigations
Division. Nancy Davis is Chief of the Citizens Action Center. Eugene Kelly
heads the Senior Affairs Bureau.
Contact:
Sharon Toomer
Deputy Director of Public Information
718.250.2300
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008
23
ARRESTED FOR COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT
WHILE WORKING
Brooklyn, April 17, 2002. . . Kings County District Attorney
Charles J. Hynes announced today the arrests of 23 individuals on charges
of collecting over $146,000 in unemployment from the New York State
Department of Labor while all were gainfully employed
In the last three years, the Kings County District Attorney's
Office has prosecuted 194 unemployment insurance (UI) fraud cases and has
received restitution orders for the Department of Labor totaling
$1,188,693.00. Defendants in
these cases, while fraudulently collecting unemployment, held jobs
generally in Wall Street firms, beverage companies, city agencies, private
corporations and temp agencies.
The arrests are a result of joint efforts by the New York State
Labor Department and the Kings County District Attorney's Office.
In 2001, the State Labor Department referred more than 800
unemployment insurance fraud cases to district attorney's offices
throughout New York representing nearly $4 million in fraudulent claims.
The 23 defendants in this case will be charged with Grand Larceny
in the Third Degree, a Class D felony punishable by a maximum prison term
of up to seven years.
"These defendants' cheated a system designed to aid those
individuals who are legitimately unemployed and seeking work,"
District Attorney Hynes said. "The
real victims of these crimes are the hard-working taxpayers of New York
whose tax dollars support the unemployment insurance system."
District Attorney Hynes also thanked State Labor Commissioner Linda
Angello and her office for their persistent hard work in investigating and
unveiling these fraudulently filed unemployment claims.
Commissioner Angello said, "We are grateful for the diligent
efforts of the Kings County District Attorney's office to help us
crackdown on people who intentionally cheat the unemployment insurance
system. Together we will
continue to arrest and criminally prosecute all violators.
Our aggressive efforts are aimed at protecting the integrity and
health of the UI Trust Fund."
Unemployment insurance fraud typically consists of single claimant
fraud when a person that initially collects legitimate unemployment
benefits continues to claim benefits after they return to work.
The criminal prosecution of unemployment insurance fraud serves to
return money stolen from the UI Trust Fund and to assure taxpaying
business owners that the tax money they pay is handled efficiently.
Each of the 23 defendants, who at one time legally collected
unemployment from the State Labor Department, are accused of continuing to
collect checks after gaining employment.
The cases are being
prosecuted by Lauren Mack, Bureau Chief, Public Assistance Crimes Unit.
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009
KINGS COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES
ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF
RUSSIAN MOB “HITMAN”
Sting operation nabs suspect with guns and ski mask.
Brooklyn, April 18, 2002 --- Kings County District Attorney Charles
J. Hynes announced today the indictment of Alexander Sharashendze, 28, of
30-85 Brighton 13th Street, Brighton Beach, following an
investigation in which Mr. Sharashenze, an alleged "hitman" with
ties to Russian-American organized crime, agreed with an undercover
detective posing as a drug dealer to kill a supposed rival drug dealer.
The two-month investigation
was conducted by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and members
of the New York Police Department including officers assigned to the NYPD
Intelligence Division, Priority Targeting Unit, Emergency Services Unit,
Brooklyn South Narcotics - Major Case Unit, and the Organized Crime
Investigative Division.
"This is a great
example of interagency collaboration among law enforcement agencies,"
said District Attorney Hynes.
During the investigation, an
NYPD detective established an identity as a drug dealer. In that capacity, the undercover detective learned that Mr.
Sharashendze claimed to be a contract killer. The detective then initiated
contact with the defendant between March 14th and 21st,
2002. In a conversation with
the detective, Mr. Sharashendze offered and agreed to commit a murder and
robbery in Kings County in exchange for payment.
The defendant agreed to go
to the scene of a supposed drug deal - involving a drug dealer named
"John" - where he would kill the drug dealer and take more than
$200,000.00 in cash and 25 kilos of cocaine from John and that other
person.
Investigators prepared the
meeting location in the vicinity of Creamer Street between Court and Smith
Street in an industrial section of Red Hook in Brooklyn where the murder
and robbery was to occur. Shortly
after the defendant arrived at the designated meeting place, police from
the Emergency Service Unit surrounded his car and detectives took Mr.
Sharashendze into custody. A
9mm semi-automatic firearm, a .22 caliber revolver, ammunition and a black
ski mask were found on the floor of the car.
On March 22, 2002 the
defendant was arraigned before Criminal Court Judge Lopez-Torres. On April 16, 2002, the defendant was arraigned before Kings
County Supreme Court Judge Neil Firetog on an indictment containing the
following charges: Conspiracy in the Second Degree, Conspiracy in the
Fourth Degree, Two Counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second
Degree, Two Counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree
and Resisting Arrest.
The Defendant faces a
maximum sentence of 25 years.
Senior Assistant District
Attorney John Dixon and Assistant District Attorney Bryan Wallace both of
the District Attorney's Rackets Division are heading the investigation and
prosecution. Deputy Chief
Investigator George Terra of the District Attorney's Special
Investigations Unit was the lead investigator.
Michael F.Vecchione is Chief of the Rackets and Investigations
Division.
Copies of the indictment are
available.
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010
KINGS
COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES DECISION REGARDING
DEATH PENALTY IN FIRST DEGREE MURDER CASE
Brooklyn, April 12, 2002
--- Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced today that
he will seek a sentence of life without parole in the prosecution of
Nagmeldeen Azaz, indicted for First Degree Murder and other charges
involving the death of his wife and child on August 20, 2001, in
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
Azaz, 37, was charged in a eight-count indictment with the
intentional murders on August 20, 2001, of his wife Ishan Thang, 35, and
their eight-month old son, Najib Adam Azaz.
"I have concluded, after review and deliberation, that a
sentence of life without parole is the appropriate punishment to seek in
this case," District Attorney Hynes said.
This is the fifty-eighth First Degree Murder case in which District
Attorney Hynes has decided to seek a sentence of life without parole since
the capital punishment law took effect on September 1, 1995.
District Attorney Hynes has sought the imposition of the death
penalty in seven First Degree Murder cases. In three cases, the defendants
plead guilty; one was sentenced to life without parole, another sentenced
to 50 years to life and the third was sentenced to 75 years to life. In
two other cases, the defendants were convicted following jury trials of
Murder in the First Degree and sentenced to Life Without Parole after a
waiver of their appeal, while another defendant was convicted of Murder in
the Second Degree and other charges and was sentenced to 65 years to life.
In the seventh case, the defendant, Darrell Harris, was sentenced to death
pending the outcome of an appeal.
In two other cases, the defendants pled guilty to First Degree
Murder and were sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole prior
to the decision on whether to seek the imposition of the death penalty was
made by the District Attorney.
The New York State capital punishment statute gives prosecutors 120
days from the arraignment of a defendant on an indictment charging Murder
in the First Degree to determine whether to seek a sentence of death, Life
Without Parole or a lesser penalty of 20 to 25 years to Life in prison.
Azaz was arraigned on October 29, 2001, and the 120-day period was
originally to have elapsed on January 28, 2002. After an application by
the defense attorneys, and upon a finding by the Court, the time to file
the notice was extended to Friday, April 12, 2002.
District Attorney Hynes said his decision included the following
components: a comprehensive and objective analysis of the available facts
and evidence; a thorough review of the aggravating and mitigating factors
provided by the District Attorney's Office and defense counsel; and an
exhaustive review of the defendant's background.
District Attorney Hynes said his decision followed a review of the
case by a Committee he has established of executives, supervisors and
experienced trial attorneys.
"I believe I am required by this statute to assess the
appropriateness of the death penalty on a case-by-case basis. Therefore,
this procedure will be followed in all cases involving a First Degree
Murder charge in order to carry out my obligation to the citizens of Kings
County to uphold the law in a fair-minded and responsible way,"
District Attorney Hynes said.
Azaz is accused of the following charges: Murder in the First
Degree (two counts); Murder in the Second Degree (five counts); and
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree.
The indictment charges that Azaz, on August 20, 2001, intentionally
caused the death of both his wife Ishan and their child Najib by hacking
them to death with a meat cleaver. Both victims died as a result of their
wounds and injuries. The incident took place in the afternoon of August
20, 2001, inside of the family's apartment at 109 Hancock Street in the
Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.
Azaz is being held without bail, awaiting trial in Supreme Court,
Kings County. The case is assigned to the Honorable Anne G. Feldman of the
Supreme Court, Kings County, and the next court date is April 12, 2002.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant Joseph
Calabrese of the Homicide Bureau.
A copy of the indictment is available.
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011
KINGS
COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES DECISION REGARDING
DEATH PENALTY IN FIRST DEGREE MURDER CASE
Brooklyn, April 19, 2002
--- Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced today that
he will seek a sentence of life without parole in the prosecution of
Vladimir Zuran, indicted for First Degree Murder and other charges
involving the death of a woman during a robbery on April 12, 2000, and the
killing of Zuran's former roommate on April 24, 2000. Both murders took
place in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn.
Zuran, 38, was charged in a fourteen-count indictment with the
intentional murder during a robbery on April 12, 2000, of Veronika
Chaschina, 29, and with the intentional murder o | 
