New York Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
BROOKLYN
JUDGE DELAYS ALLEGED MOB ASSOCIATES’ RELEASE
A federal judge in Brooklyn yesterday delayed releasing two alleged mob associates who recently had their racketeering murder convictions reversed by an appeals court.
The United States district judge, I. Leo Glasser, on Wednesday ordered the release on bail of Mario Fortunato and Carmine Polito. Judge Glasser’s order came in response to a 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals decision that found a lack of evidence that the two men had committed a 2003 murder as part of a federal racketeering conspiracy. But yesterday Judge Glasser had second thoughts about releasing the two men, both alleged Genovese crime family associates who still face false statement charges. Lawyers in the case say the judge wants to check if he has the jurisdiction to release the two men before the 2nd Circuit finalizes its decision. The judge has asked lawyers in the case to present legal papers on the matter today.
– Staff Reporter of the Sun
CITYWIDE
NEW PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM UNVEILED
Mayor Bloomberg unveiled a new emergency public communications system yesterday that will allow for the instantaneous broadcast of critical bulletins to New Yorkers from anywhere in the city. The mayor will have access to a black box with phone and transmission equipment wherever he goes to ensure that if there is a reason to alert New Yorkers, he’ll be able to do it. Four radio stations, WABC-AM,WFAN-AM,WINS-AM, and WCBS-AM, have agreed to voluntarily participate in the new Emergency Alert System, which is similar to the federal alert that TV watchers and radio listeners often hear tested with a long tone and then a sample bulletin “from the Emergency Broadcast System.”
– Staff Reporter of the Sun
THOMPSON TO BLOOMBERG: SUE CON EDISON
The city comptroller, William Thompson Jr., asked the Bloomberg administration to sue utility Con Edison for $300,000 in order to recover costs from a water main break that flooded part of Washington Heights last year. In a letter to the city’s corporation counsel, Michael Cardozo, Mr. Thompson said that he had tried to settle the matter with Con Edison but they had denied any liability, so the city’s only recourse was to sue the utility.
– Staff Reporter of the Sun
SAFE SPACE NAMES NEW CEO
The SoHo-based non-profit Safe Space has named Lilliam Barrios-Paoli chief executive officer. In her new post, Ms. Barrios-Paoli will manage an $18 million annual budget for programs and services helping abused and neglected children, including shelters and counseling centers. Ms. Barrios-Paoli comes to the 85-year-old agency from the United Way of New York City, where she was senior vice president and chief executive for agency services. She was a key player in the recent restructuring of the organization and the implementation of the September 11th Fund. She takes the helm from Beverly Brooks, who is retiring after 25 years as chief executive of Safe Space. While the agency’s work is nationally recognized, it did face scrutiny last year when the Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended its aid, based on an audit that showed inadequate documentation of grant spending. In a settlement agreement reached July 3, Safe Space agreed to repay HUD $310,000, and to institute more efficient accounting and bookkeeping practices.
– Staff Reporter of the Sun
JURY AWARDS $28.5 MILLION TO SUBWAY ACCIDENT VICTIM
A Manhattan jury has awarded $28.5 million to a former graphic design student whose hip was crushed by a subway train three years ago when she leaned over to pick up a Bible she had dropped onto the station platform. The jury deliberated about 2 1 / 2 hours late Wednesday before awarding the money to Alice Huang, 21, of Elmhurst, Queens. The verdict included $14.25 million for pain and suffering and $14.25 million for future medical costs and future lost earnings. Wallace Gossett, a lawyer for NYC Transit, said the agency will appeal and he is sure the award will be reduced or set aside. He would not comment further.
The accident occurred on December 10, 2001, around 9 a.m. as Ms. Huang, then an 18-year-old student at the School of Visual Arts, dropped her Bible as she was leaving the F train at West 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue, said her lawyer, David Dean.
– Associated Press
ALBANY
PATAKI NOMINATES OGS CHIEF FOR PORT AUTHORITY POST
The state’s Office of General Services commissioner, Kenneth Ringler, was nominated yesterday by Governor Pataki to become executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The nomination has the backing of the governor of New Jersey, James McGreevey, who called Mr. Ringler “an accomplished, dedicated professional.”
Once confirmed by the Port Authority’s board of directors, Mr. Ringler, 56, will replace Joseph Seymour who is retiring at the end of October as executive director of the bi-state agency that runs the New York City region’s big airports and owns the World Trade Center site, among other things.
– Associated Press
POLICE BLOTTER
CORRECTION OFFICER ARRESTED FOR THEFT
A New York City correction officer was arrested for submitting more than 30 forged doctor’s notes to bilk the city out of more than $25,000 in sick pay, the Department of Investigation announced yesterday. Bruce Stucko, 46, a correction officer at Riker’s Island, was charged with grand larceny, 38 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, 38 counts of offering a false instrument for filing, and official misconduct. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison. Mr. Stucko, a resident of Middletown, N.Y., has been a correction officer for more than 14 years. Mr. Stucko has been suspended without pay, pending adjudication of the criminal charges.
– Special to the Sun
NYPD WARNS CYCLISTS PLANNING PROTEST
NYPD officials warned bicyclists whom they say are planning a traffic-stopping Critical Mass demonstration tonight that they will be subject to arrest and their bicycles may be seized in a statement yesterday. A deputy chief, Michael Collins, said that these protests without permits present a “potentially hazardous and dangerous” situation. “The department urges all groups that wish to hold rallies, parades, demonstrations, or other large events in the city to consider the rights of others.”
To head off the traffic snarls, police will distribute flyers detailing traffic regulations to demonstrators and warning that “violations of the law can result in arrests,” Chief Collins said. Demonstrator’s bicycles could also be seized as evidence.
– Special to the Sun