Vito Fossella camps out over garage
May 13, 2008
Disgraced Rep. Vito Fossella is hiding out in a tiny apartment above a garage at his sister’s Staten Island house, the Daily News has learned.
“He’s staying there,” a neighbor said Monday, pointing to the home of Lori Ceciliani, one of the Republican lawmaker’s five sisters.
The neighbor said Fossella has been coming and going from his [...]
Council Members Buying Support
May 13, 2008
City Council members running for citywide office are allocating “member item” money to organizations miles away from their council districts, a New York Sun analysis has found.
The disclosure is reinforcing concerns that the taxpayer funds are being used to buy political support. It is also undercutting one of the most commonly made defenses of member [...]
Plea Expected in Ring Tied to Spitzer
May 13, 2008
The woman accused of being the primary booker for the prostitution ring patronized by Eliot Spitzer is expected to plead guilty this week to charges related to her role in the ring, people involved in the matter said Monday.
The woman, Temeka Rachelle Lewis, 32, is expected to plead guilty in federal District Court in [...]
Working Families Party endorses Joe Mesi
May 12, 2008
The Working Families Party this weekend decided to endorse former boxing star and Democrat “Baby Joe” Mesi in the 61st Senate District race to replace retiring Sen. Mary Lou Rath.
He is running against Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello and Town of Amhert Councilman Daniel Ward. According to the Buffalo News, the WFP made the endorsement [...]
Feds probe Vito Fossella trip financing
May 12, 2008
Democratic and GOP congressional officials are scrutinizing Rep. Vito Fossella’s mysterious and pricey January 2003 trip to France, the Daily News has learned.
He was the sole lawmaker authorized to go - and his mistress is suspected of joining him.
The Staten Island Republican visited La Hague, France, supposedly on a “fact-finding” mission.
Lawmakers commonly visit La Hague [...]
Controller Thompson opted for Ireland trip over divorce court appearance
May 12, 2008
City Controller William Thompson was enjoying shepherd’s pie in Ireland while his ex-wife stewed over their divorce Friday in a Brooklyn courtroom.
Thompson’s choice to skip a court hearing with his ex, Sylvia Kinard-Thompson, and attend an overseas economic conference meant they could not settle their differences over a piece of furniture.
“I have an issue with [...]
Anonymous Complaint Filed against Anthony Como
May 12, 2008
A complaint filed against a Republican running to replace scandal-scarred ex-Councilman Dennis Gallagher claims the candidate used his position as a Board of Elections Commissioner to get campaign donations and gifts from subordinates.
The anonymous complaint, filed with four city agencies - including the Conflicts of Interest Board and the Campaign Finance Board - alleges that [...]
NY lawmaker urges banks to maintain foreclosed properties
May 12, 2008
New York lawmakers say that lending institutions that own foreclosed properties in the state should be responsible for maintaining them.
The lawmakers released a report Sunday on the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis on property values in New York City and surrounding areas.
The report released by state Senator Jeff Klein’s office says over 3.5 [...]
James Tedisco lobbies for summer gas tax holiday
May 12, 2008
In celebration of Mother’s Day, Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, announced the launch of a statewide grassroots petition drive to strengthen support for legislation that would allow motorists a “summertime holiday” from the ever increasing prices.“There is no question about it, record-high gas prices are truly hurting motorists, small businesses and our economy. A [...]
Longtime Practice of City Council Financing Lands on Speaker’s Shoulders
May 12, 2008
In the widening scandal that has revealed the peculiar accounting methods of the New York City Council, a harsh light has been cast on Christine C. Quinn, the Council speaker, who is being asked to answer for a system not of her own making.
Defined by phrases like “phantom organizations” and “slush funds,” the tale of [...]
