NEW REAL ESTATE FRAUD UNIT CREATED, BROOKLYN’S EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN HONORED AND ANOTHER CASE OF
ANIMAL CRUELTY 

 

It was my great pleasure this month to welcome Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) to acknowledge his role in providing $875,000 in new federal funding through the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act to create a new unit at the DA’s Office to combat real estate fraud.  This real estate fraud unit will protect Brooklyn homeowners from all kinds of mortgage scams, real estate fraud and cases of predatory lending. 

 

The new unit which will be staffed by 12 employees led by Richard Farrell, Counsel in my Rackets Division.  The Unit will have a Unit Chief, four attorneys, five financial investigators, one detective investigator and one paralegal. Jeffrey Ferguson, Deputy Bureau Chief in our Rackets Division will also play an instrumental role in this new unit.  This announcement is especially significant now during these tough economic times that we are going through.  There are more predators out there who will do whatever it takes to steal your money.

 

In the past several years, local politicians, homeowner advocacy groups, attorneys, state agencies, and homeowners have complained of having nowhere to turn to report mortgage and deed fraud. Officials receiving the complaints have also voiced frustration over having no office to report to that specifically investigates mortgage scams.  Our phones have been ringing off the hook ever since we announced this news at our press conference earlier this month with information regarding fraud cases.  That hotline number is (718) 250-2311.

 

As our office has been flooded with referrals regarding mortgage and deed fraud cases over the last several years, we have had to refer these cases elsewhere, making this process very unorganized.  We did not handle many of these types of cases due to the lack of investigative and prosecutorial resources.  Fortunately, with the creation of the new unit, we can prosecute all such cases, and get prison sentences for the offenders and restitution for the victims.

 

Unfortunately, there are many sinister individuals out there who prey on innocent victims.  But I think it’s important to recognize those people who make a positive impact in our communities as well.  That is why I recently honored 31 extraordinary women of Brooklyn during Women’s History Month.  For the third straight year, we recognized some of the most outstanding women in our borough, who were nominated by Brooklyn residents, for their accomplishments in their work and service in their communities.

 

On March 16^th, we had a ceremony where we unveiled a huge calendar in the lobby of our building for the month of March.  For each date in the month, we recognized one of the 31 women being honored with their pictures, names and neighborhoods where they are from. 

 

I appointed the title of Special Ambassador to each of the women in their communities.  The women come from neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn.  The honorees are all very diverse but they have one thing in common.  They make Brooklyn a better place to live.  This year’s honorees include educators, executive directors, a police officer, a cancer program coordinator, an economic development specialist, a civil rights attorney, a community volunteer, a community organizer, a managing editor of a newspaper, and a woman whose life is dedicated to being a foster mother.

 

The 31 Extraordinary Women are: Tina Chen, Mazie Henderson, Bronya Krishtul, Judy Willig, Joyce Bolden, Janet General, Georganna Deas, Betty M. Cooney, Claudia Dozier, Lorrie Ayers, Dr. Susan Fox, Khadijah Ali, Linda Blyer, Farhat Affreedi, Joanne Smith, Diana Kleimenova, Mary Ann Walsh, Margarita Rosa, Elizabeth Ou Yang, Rev. Monica Sinclair, Officer Susan Porcello, Oresa L. Napper, Irene LoRe, Joyce Mattera, Martha Kamber, Louise Hidar, Barbara Snow, Charise Lawrence, Zoe Koutsoupakis, Zeinab Bader and Bettina Miller. 

 

The women were formally acknowledged at a ceremony on March 25 in the Ceremonial Court Room at Brooklyn Borough Hall. 

 

Once again, the specter of animal cruelty has appeared in Brooklyn and it certainly touches a nerve with me and many other Brooklynites.  I can’t understand why people would hurt innocent animals.  They offer love and affection, loyalty and companionship.   It is important to realize that animals have many of the same needs as human beings for survival.  Animals also have their own rights, protecting them from harm caused by humans.

 

I indicted two teens this month for torturing and killing a cat.  They broke into a vacant apartment, held the cat down and set it on fire, causing deep burns and fourth-degree thermal burns.  The cat was found crying and unable to move, and it had to be euthanized due to the severe burns.  The two teens were charged with Arson in the Second Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree, Animal Cruelty and Aggravated Animal Cruelty. 

 

I want to ensure everyone that we do not take these crimes lightly and we will pursue prosecution of these crimes to the full extent of the law.

 

Richard Farrell has been the subject of my community newsletter in the past and I wanted to mention him again because mortgage and real estate fraud has been a very significant topic in the news lately.  I believe that Mr. Farrell is one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the entire country when it comes to these cases.  He has been very active in prosecuting fraud cases and going into the community to educate our residents on the dangers of real estate fraud and what can be done to prevent it. 

 

RICHARD FARRELL
   

Richard Farrell is Counsel to the DA’s Rackets Division where has worked since 2001.  In this role, he investigates and prosecutes many high profile cases, generally involving fraud.

 

Rich has worked in the DA’s Office since 1992, investigating and prosecuting cases in various bureaus including Criminal Court, Domestic Violence, Grand Jury and the Civil Rights (Hate Crimes) Bureaus. He speaks frequently in the community on consumer protection, focusing especially on identity theft, real estate fraud, immigration fraud and predatory lending, all areas where he has particular expertise. 

 

Rich and his wife, Joyce, have two children, Michael, eight, and Meghan, six.