Officials Broaden Focus of Inquiry Into Corruption in Crane Inspections
June 12, 2008
The authorities have widened their criminal investigation of potential corruption inside the Department of Buildings’ crane inspection operations to focus on several current and former agency employees who had responsibilities in that area, a law enforcement official involved in the inquiry said on Wednesday.
Last week the investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office and the [...]
Brooklyn DA’s No. 2 exiled after clash
June 12, 2008
A top prosecutor was demoted after a blowup with a high-ranking executive over his handling of a steroids probe - and allegations he had an affair with an assistant, the Daily News has learned.
Kyle Reeves, 50, once District Attorney Charles Hynes’ No. 2 trial assistant, was transferred from rackets to a gun unit two weeks [...]
House Approves New York-D.C. Rocket Train
June 12, 2008
A two-hour rocket train between New York and Washington is a step closer to reality after the House passed legislation requiring the federal government to solicit proposals for its financing and development.
The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 311 to 104 with the backing [...]
Security changes likely for governor
June 12, 2008
State Police are poised to propose legislation that would give officers more authority over where the governor could or couldn’t go.
That comes as State Police are reported to be overhauling the way members of the governor’s security detail are chosen.
Police officials wouldn’t comment, but The New York Times said Wednesday that the agency’s superintendent, rather [...]
Paterson criticizes Legislature over tax cap inaction
June 12, 2008
Gov. David Paterson on Wednesday criticized the Legislature for rejecting “out of hand” his proposal to cap the growth in nation’s highest property taxes despite overwhelming public support.
He also said he may call the Legislature back to Albany before the fall legislative elections. That would put lawmakers on the spot with voters, as well as [...]
Amid Boom, a Battle Over Buildings Chief’s Qualifications
June 11, 2008
As the city struggles to keep pace with a building boom, enforce safety laws and curb fatal construction accidents, architects and engineers are fighting Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s effort to downgrade the qualification requirements for the city’s buildings commissioner.
The mayor, with the support of the City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, seeks to deepen the [...]
Carpenters-union officials found not guilty
June 11, 2008
Two carpenters-union officials were found not guilty of accepting $50,000 in bribes yesterday, four years after a judge overturned their convictions for the crime.
Michael Forde, the executive secretary of the New York District Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, and Martin Devereaux, a former business agent with the union, were exonerated after 90 minutes [...]
NYC construction contractor charged with manslaughter
June 11, 2008
A construction contractor has been indicted on a manslaughter charge in connection with a Brooklyn wall collapse that killed a worker in March.
The Brooklyn district attorney says the contractor, William Lattarulo of Malverne, Long Island, owned both the construction site and the neighboring residential building in East New York.
The accident killed 30-year-old Louro Ortega of [...]
Dem Leaders Seek to Avoid Bruising Primary Fight in Western New York
June 10, 2008
Much like many national Democrats pressed to settle the bitter presidential nominating battle, the chairs of the Democratic county committees in western New York’s 26th District are calling on fellow Democrats to avoid a bruising primary and line up behind their endorsed candidate, Iraq War veteran Jon Powers.
Powers, who is running for the seat of [...]
Bloomberg Says Final Day For OTB Will Be Sunday
June 10, 2008
Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced today that he expects Sunday to be the final day for the city’s Off Track Betting corporation.
He says while it’s sad jobs will be lost, OTB does not support the city and the state the way it was intended to.
Asked if there is any sort of temporary agreement that could keep [...]
