ALBANY

SPENCER: CLINTON AIDS AND ABETS U.S. ENEMIES

Senator Clinton’s likely Republican Senate race challenger charged yesterday that the New York Democrat’s criticism of the Bush administration “aids and abets our enemies” in the battle against terrorism. John Spencer’s comments to reporters came after a fiery speech to the state Conservative Party leadership in which, during a defense of the Patriot Act, he also attacked the administration of President Clinton. “I wish we had it before 9/11,” the former mayor of Yonkers said. “And, I wish we had an administration in Washington that wasn’t an appeasing, liberal, whining administration in the ’90s that allowed the terrorists to build up the way they built up.” Mrs. Clinton’s adviser, Howard Wolfson, declined to comment on Mr. Spencer’s statements.

– Associated Press

STATEWIDE

HOSPITALS AGREE TO CHANGE IMPROPER BILLING PRACTICES

Patients who were billed improperly for medical services because their health insurance plans failed to pay hospitals on time will get new protection under an agreement announced yesterday, according to the state attorney general’s office. An investigation by the state attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, found hospitals often start billing patients when their insurance plans do not respond – even when the insurer is responsible for coverage. Those improper bills sometimes lead to consumers unfairly getting bad credit ratings, according to Mr. Spitzer’s office. In a settlement announced yesterday, Beth Israel Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital will give refunds to consumers improperly billed for services, Mr. Spitzer’s office said.

– Associated Press

ESCAPE OF SUSPECTED AL QAEDA TRAINEE PUZZLES RELATIVES

BUFFALO – The escape of a suspected al Qaeda trainee from a Yemeni prison more than a week ago is puzzling to his American relatives, leaving them wondering why someone who surrendered on his own would turn around and flee custody. Jaber Elbaneh, 39, an American citizen accused of training with the “Lackawanna Six,” was among a group of 23 known and suspected terrorists who tunneled out of an underground cell in Yemen February 3, the FBI said last week. “I can’t comprehend why he would decide to join the escape after he turned himself in,” an uncle, Mohamed Albanna, said at the Buffalo wholesale business where Mr. Elbaneh once worked with him.

– Associated Press

IN THE COURTS

JUNIOR GOTTI RETURNS TO COURT The son of late mob boss John Gotti returns to court today for his retrial on racketeering charges that include a violent plot to kidnap radio show host Curtis Sliwa. The retrial begins with jury selection, a process that proved pivotal in an earlier trial of John A. “Junior” Gotti that ended in September with an acquittal on a securities fraud charge and a deadlocked jury on more serious racketeering counts. Opening statements are scheduled to begin next week.

– Associated Press

TRISTATE

GAY MARRIAGE CASE GOING BEFORE HIGH COURT

TRENTON, N.J. – Advocates for and against gay marriage will be watching New Jersey tomorrow when their debate – which touches on tradition, civil rights, and the very definition of marriage – is argued before the state Supreme Court. Activists on both sides of the issue are to hold rallies tomorrow outside of where the Supreme Court meets, and their rhetoric is expected to center on how their opponents’ notion of “family” is misguided and potentially harmful to children. In the courtroom, though, the arguments figure to be less about gay marriage as policy and more about who should decide whether to allow it: lawmakers or judges. The state attorney general’s office, which is defending New Jersey’s ban on same-sex marriage, argues the Legislature should make such important and controversial decisions.

– Associated Press

POLICE BLOTTER

MAN ATTACKED IN ALLEGED BIAS INCIDENT

A 45-year-old man was attacked by a passerby who also shouted anti-gay remarks at him, police said. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Charles Street and Greenwich Street in Greenwich Village. The victim, who lived in the area, was reportedly taking pictures of the snow when the perpetrator approached him, police said. The perpetrator allegedly punched the man in the face and fled. The victim was taken to St. Vincent’s hospital, where he was treated and released. No arrests were made, although police are investigating what they have classified a bias incident.

– Special to the Sun

ARGUMENT TURNS DEADLY IN THE BRONX

A 35-year-old man was stabbed to death by a teenager who recently moved into his apartment, police said. Jolart Wilson, 18, had been living with the man for the past few days at his apartment on Richman Plaza in the Bronx, police said. The two allegedly had a sexual relationship. Police said they believe a dispute between the two men escalated into the fatal stabbing, which took place around 10:15 p.m. Sunday. The victim, whose name was not released pending family notification, was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS shortly before 4 a.m. Mr. Wilson was taken into police custody shortly thereafter. As of last night, charges against Mr. Wilson were pending, police said.

– Special to the Sun