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o. Volume 64, NNo.1 22484 Wednesday,MONDAY, JANUARY March7, 6, 201 20199 50¢50¢ LILIQueensWoodside Lawyers Lawyers Charged Charged ADAs Man UEENS WithWithCharged Defrauding Defrauding With Q ClientsClientsYet to for for Match Millions Millions FatalByBy Jonathan Jonathan Punch Sperling Sperling DiversityQueensQueens Daily Daily Eagle Eagle of TheyThey were were hired hired to to practice practice the the law law — — not not breakbreakFaces it. it. Court On ODAY Now two recently disbarred lawyers from a TODAY Now two recently disbarred lawyers from a T formerThe Long Island Borough law firm are facing multiple — JANUARY 7, 2019 — formerVictim’sgrand Longlarceny Island chargesBy lawDavid andfirmBirthday Brand aare scheme facing to multiple defraud — MARCH 6, 2019 — grand larceny charges and a scheme to defraud charge for allegedlyByQueens David pilfering Daily Brand moreEagle than $7 million ««« chargefrom thefor allegedlysettlements pilfering of dozens more of than clients, $7 million Queens ««« from Thoughthe settlements QueensQueens of is dozensDaily regarded Eagle of clients,as the Queensmost di- THE DEAPARENTSINDISTRICT30ARETH OF A 1-YEAR-OLD WHO Districtverse countyAttorney in Richard the United A. Brown States, announced the demo on- PARENTSINDISTRICT30AREFLUSHING FIREHOUSE DistrictFamily Attorney and friendsRichard of A. John Brown “Danny” announced McGee on was brutallyFUMINGOVERSCHOOLBUSISSUES beaten inside her Auburndale Thursday.graphics ofBrown the District was appointed Attorney’s to theOffice case don’tas a Thursday.filled a row Brown inside was a appointedcrowded Queensto the case criminal as a homeNumerousCLOSES wasFUMINGOVERSCHOOLBUSISSUES deemed problemsFOR SCABIES a homicide with school INFESTATION Tuesday bus drivers by the have specialyet reflect prosecutor the ethnic by the and Office racial of Nassaumix of theCounty bor- specialcourtroomDistrict prosecutor Attorney Friday by morning Madeline the Office as Singas ofthe Nassau man in Countychar orderged to parentscity’sFirefightersNumerous chief and schoolmedical problems from children examiner. withEngine lookingschool 320 Elaina bus for on drivers answers TorabiFrancis have in ough. Districtinavoid relation any Attorney toconflict McGee's Madeline of interest. death Singasappeared in in order court toon LewisLongparents Island Boulevardand schoolCity. The nearchildren incidents 37th looking Avenue were for soin answers badFlushing for thein A perceived lack of diversity has been a key died in October 2018 as a result of “fatal avoidwhatThe anywould conflict defendants have beenof interest. — he victim's 60-year-olds 22nd birthday Mitchell. wereresidentsLong Islandnot of allowed DistrictCity. The 30 insideincidents and PS their were384Q, firehouse so they bad heldfor onthe an focus of the seven Democratic candidates for child abuse syndrome,” said Chief Medical LenchnerTheSteven defendants and O’Brien, Corey —Kaye, a 60-year-oldsW oodsideboth of Longresident, Mitchell Island is— Thursdayemergencyresidents of after District meeting one 30 of withand their PS the fellow384Q, Department theyfirefighters held an of Queens District Attorney. It has also informed Education,Examiner accordingDr. Barbara to ABC7Sampson.. In additionElaina’s to Lenchnercharwereged served andwith Coreywith third-degree criminal Kaye, both assaultcomplaints of Long for Islandallegedlystemming — wasemergency infected meeting with scabies, with the the DepartmentPost reported of Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory the work of various local bar associations and skippingmother Tina stops, Torabi leaving is kidscharged at school with andassault dropping for werethrowingfrom served allegations the with punch thatcriminal theythat defraudedcomplaintskilled McGee 29 stemming clients during be- onEducation, Friday. Cleaners according were to ABC7 at the. locationIn addition where to Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory community activists throughout Queens, who offallegedly kids at thebeating wrong Elaina’s stops, parents twin brother.tell stories Read of a 5- fromantween altercation allegations January outsidethat2010 they and a defrauded SunnysideMay 2018 29 at barclients the around since- be- moreskipping than stops, 100 leaving firefighters kids atare school assigned. and dropping say the office composition should better repre- year-oldmore on givingpage 2. his bus driver directions, multiple Lasak Honored at Retirement Breakfast tween3:45shuttered a.m.January on law Nov 2010 firm. 22, and of according May Kaye 2018 & to at Lenchner.the the criminal since- If off kids at the wrong stops, parents tell stories of a 5- sent the borough’s population. drivers heading the  wrong direction on one-way From left, Administrative Judge of the Supreme Court, Civil Division, Jeremy Weinstein; NYS Supreme Court shutteredcomplaint.convicted, law theyMcGee firm face fell ofa minimum Kayeand hit & his of Lenchner. onehead year on theto If a year-old giving his bus driver directions, multiple Lasak Honored at Retirement Breakfast Demographic statistics from the Queens streets and one driver refusing to help kids buckle Justice Gregory Lasak; Presiding Justice, NY Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Randall Eng; Queens County convicted,ground.maximum He they of was 25 face yearspronounced a minimum in prison. dead of one at yearElmhurst to a drivers heading the wrong direction on one-way From left, Administrative Judge of the Supreme Court, Civil Division, Jeremy Weinstein; NYS Supreme Court DA’s office back up that perception. seatstreetsGOOVIOLENT belts. Dand NE“This one WST. driverisS ALBANS aFO crisis refusingR forB SENIOREACH any to parent helpGO HOUSING kidswhoseERS buckle child— JusticeSurrogateMembers Gregory Court of Lasak; Judgethe PresidingSouth Peter Kelly. East Justice, See Queens NYmore Supreme coverage Court Court, on Watch pages Appellate 15Program and Division, 16. at Randall the Queens Eng;Eagle Queens photo Criminal by County Andy Katz maximumHospital. of 25 years in prison.Continued on page 7 isand affected, PIMPlocal andCONVICTEDbusinesses: the city of INAn New QUEENS eroded York and COURTstretch the mayor of “Today would have been his 22nd birthday,” seat belts. “This is a crisis for any parent whose child SurrogateWoodsideCourthouse. 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Albansandfor summer.the DOEpredator Mayorneed to to upBill be to handlingde eight Blasio years this announced asin ifprison it’s a forBramer. admitting Parents that said he that took at their advantage emergency of ameeting drug- Pool photo by Dennis Clark Empty CourthouseContinued on page 7 Thursdaycrisis,”an agreement said night, City Mondayit was Councilmember established between thatthe Jimmy anycity school and Van addictedwithBramer.federal persistent Parentsgovernment senior issues said citizen that would to at and theirreplenish get pimped emergency a new a busastrip teenage meetingservice. of Empty Courthouse girl,TheThursdaysand currentprosecutorsbetween night, service, Beachit wassaid. Grandpa’sestablished92nd Joseph Street Gilbert Busthat and any Company, pleadedBeach school Full of History guiltyreleasedwith103rd persistent Streetbefore a statement that issuesQueens the apologizing would city Supreme abruptly get for a new the Court closed incidents bus Justiceservice. days and By Clarissa Sosin The current service, Grandpa’s Bus Company, Vallone Pumps Brakes On Belmont Peterassuringbefore V allonebeaches that thereJr . wereon is Thursday ascheduled zero-tolerance for toattempting open policy last forto Full Queensof History Daily Eagle sexlawbreakingreleasedMemorial traffick a statement Day aand 16-year Weekend. leaving apologizing-old children Readgirl for from themorein incidentsdanger. 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They a loneInside security the Queens guard watched County the Courthouse front door in while Long his  Plan Without ‘Essential’ Traincolleagues took theirService lunch breaks and a judge sat andalso 718-475-7587. set up telephone hotlines for any parents Island City a janitor cleaned the second floor bathroom, The Unsung Hero of Communitychatting with visitors on theNews empty benches of his experiencing issues: 718-475-7585, 718-475-7586, a lone security guard watched the front door while his THE QUQUEENSEENS MURDERCHA«««MB SUSPECTER OF COM- courtroom. and 718-475-7587.BUSTED AFTER STANDOFF WITH COPS colleagues took their lunch breaks and a judge sat merceQUEENSTURNSRURALTHISWEEKEND will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day chattingThe withdark By visitorshallways, Jonathan on normally the emptySperling bustling benches with ofpeople, his ALuncheon Prospect-Lefferts onFORTHECOUNTYFAIR Wednesday, «««Garden manMarch who 13is wantedfrom courtroom.sat mostly emptyQueens during a lullDaily Wednesday, Eagle leaving signs for11:30 ThetheQUEENSTURNSRURALTHISWEEKEND a.m. murderannual to 2 Queensp.m.of a TheQueens County event man willFair was featureis coming arrested Dr. to of ThetheIt’s building’s darka situation hallways, rich history anynormally community out bustlingin the open withnews for people, visitorseditor onFloralBrian Friday ParkJ. 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Eagle photo by Clarissa Sosin federalattacksPLEADSGUILTYTOMULTIPLECHARGES courtour rights last Wednesday, and our access according to health to the prominentThe Belmont — Park New Redevelopment York City. Unlike Project most will photographers,include a 19,000-seat though, arena Henderson’s for the New StudentReturns and Faculty to Court Work FormerGrevy Gerard New Pierre-Louis, York City 46 Mayor — also knownMichael as BloomberQueenscare." Chronicleg’s foundation. The Queens is giving native a Floridawas charged city photosYork Islanders are free and to adownload 435,000 square from Wikipedia.foot mall. RenderingEagle via photo Empire by StateJonathan Development Sperling CUNY CollectionSEEINSIDE: PAGE Showcases 2 with“Cadillac conspiracy Slim” to or commit “Caddy” sex couldtrafficking, be facing as well life as SEE PAGE 7 $2.5 million to aid its efforts to fight climate conspiracybehind bars to after transport pleading minors guilty interstate in a Manhattan for the change. Bloomberg announced Thursday The Queens County Courthouse in Long Island City. Eagle photo by Clarissa Sosin Student and Faculty Work purposefederalU.S. RE courtof prostitution.P. lastA L Wednesday,EX ANDR“The defendant I accordingA O CASspent toIO- most the that St. Petersburg, Florida is the 20th U.S. city Finding Lost Batallion Hall InfantForestQueens DeathHills Rhodes Apartments a Homicide, Scholar ofQueensCortez his adult Chronicle opened life profiting . herThe Queens first from districthisnative victimization was office charged of in SEE PAGE 2 to be selected as part of Bloomberg’s American L Train Shutdown Reveral Receives Mixed Reviews girlswithQueens conspiracy and on women Monday. to commit through The sex extremeoffice trafficking, is physical located as well andin as Rockaway Beach Will Re-Open in Time for Summer FearsMedicalSell He for Can't Examiner$500 Come Million HomeRules Citiespsychologicalconspiracy Climate to abuse,”transport Challenge said minors U.S. interstateinitiative.Attorney for for The the the SEE PAGE 7 purpose of prostitution. “The defendant spent most On Queens Boulevard ContinuedContinuedContinued on on on page page page 2 22 Finding LostSEESEE BatallionPAGE PAGE 15 16 Hall Forest HillsSEESEE PAGEApartments PAGE 11 2 of his adult life profiting from his victimization of SEE PAGE 10 girls and women through extreme physical and Sell for $500 Million psychological abuse,” said U.S. Attorney for the On Queens Boulevard SEE PAGE 7 Continued on page 2 SEE PAGE 10 QUQUQUEENSQUQUEENSUEENSUEENUEENUEENSUEENSEENEENEENSSS

Volume 64, No. 184 MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2019 50¢ Baby’s Brutal Beating Death Ruled a Homicide LILIWoodside Lawyers Lawyers Charged Charged Man By David Brand Queens Daily Eagle WithWith Defrauding Defrauding The death of a 1-year-old who was brutal- UEENS Charged With ly beaten inside her Auburndale home was Q deemed a homicide by the city’s chief medical ClientsClients for for Millions Millions examiner on Tuesday. FatalByBy Jonathan Jonathan Punch Sperling Sperling Elaina Torabi died in October 2018 as a re- QueensQueens Daily Daily Eagle Eagle sult of “fatal child abuse syndrome,” said Chief TheyThey were were hired hired to to practice practice the the law law — — not not Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson. breakbreakFaces it. it. Court On “The term ‘fatal child abuse syndrome’ is ODAY Now two recently disbarred lawyers from a TODAY Now two recently disbarred lawyers from a used when a child sustains injuries over a peri- T former Long Island law firm are facing multiple former Long Island law firm are facing multiple od of time,” Sampson said. — JANUARY 7, 2019 — Victim’sgrand larceny charges andBirthday a scheme to defraud — MARCH 6, 2019 — grand larceny charges and a scheme to defraud Elaina and her twin brother Kian were charge for allegedlyBy David pilfering Brand more than $7 million found with bruises and broken bones covering Jackson Heights. ««« chargefrom thefor allegedlysettlements pilfering of dozens more of than clients, $7 million Queens ««« Queens Daily Eagle their bodies in October 2018. Police arrested PARENTSINDISTRICT30ARE fromDistrict the Attorneysettlements Richard of dozens A. Brown of clients, announced Queens on their mother Tina Torabi, 30, and charged her A 30-YEARFUMINGOVERSCHOOLBUSISSUESPARENTSINDISTRICT30AREFLUSHING-OLD DR FIREHOUSEIVER DIED WHEN DistrictThursday.Family Attorney Brownand friendsRichard was appointedof A. John Brown “Danny” toannounced the case McGee onas a with first-degree assault for allegedly beating he NumerouscrashedCLOSESFUMINGOVERSCHOOLBUSISSUES into problemsFOR a SCABIESguardrail with school INFESTATION on a bus Long drivers Island have Thursday.filledspecial a prosecutorrow Brown inside was by a theappointedcrowded Office Queensofto Nassauthe case criminal County as a Kian — but not Elaina. parentsExpresswayFirefightersNumerous and school serviceproblems from children road withEngine onlookingschool Tuesday.320 bus for on drivers answers HeFrancis washave in specialcourtroomDistrict prosecutor Attorney Friday by morning Madeline the Office as Singas ofthe Nassau man in Countychar orderged to “The defendant’s alleged actions are incom- LewisLongparentstaken Island Boulevardandto schoolNewCity. 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DepartmentInPost addition reported of to Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory Lenchnercharged andwith Corey third-degree Kaye, both assault of Long for Islandallegedly — October. “An investigation is ongoing with re- HUD REGIONAL DIRECTOR LYNNE from allegations that they defrauded 29 clients be- onskippingEducation, Friday stops,. Cleaners according leaving were kids to ABC7 atat theschool. locationIn and addition dropping where to Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory werethrowing served the with punch criminal that complaintskilled McGee stemming during spect to the death of her daughter. offPatton kids atmoved the wrong into stops,the Queensbridge parents tell stories Houses of a 5- fromantween altercation allegations January outsidethat2010 they and a defrauded SunnysideMay 2018 29 at barclients the around since- be- moreskipping than stops, 100 leaving firefighters kids atare school assigned. and dropping According to the criminal complaint, Torabi year-oldoffin Longkids at givingIsland the wrong hisCity. busstops, It’s driver parentsthe directions,latest tell stopstories multipleon of hera 5- Lasak Honored at Retirement Breakfast tween3:45shuttered a.m.January on law Nov 2010 firm. 22, and of according May Kaye 2018 & to at Lenchner.the the criminal since- If called 911 and reported that Elaina was unre- driversyear-oldtour of headingNYCHAgiving his the developments. bus  wrong driver direction directions, on one-waymultiple LasakFrom left, Administrative Honored Judge of the Supreme at RetirementCourt, Civil Division, Jeremy Weinstein; Breakfast NYS Supreme Court shutteredcomplaint.convicted, law theyMcGee firm face fell ofa minimum Kayeand hit & his of Lenchner. onehead year on theto If a sponsive. EMS took Elaina to Flushing Hospi- streets and one driver refusing to help kids buckle FromJustice left, Gregory Administrative Lasak; Presiding Judge of Justice, the Supreme NY Supreme Court, Court, Civil Division, Appellate Jeremy Division, Weinstein; Randall NYS Eng; Supreme Queens County Court convicted,ground.maximum He they of was 25 face yearspronounced a minimum in prison. dead of one at yearElmhurst to a tal Medical Center where she was pronounced drivers heading the  wrong direction on one-way seatstreetsVIOLENT belts. and “This one ST. driveris ALBANS a crisis refusing for SENIOR any to parent help HOUSING kidswhose buckle child JusticeSurrogate Gregory Court Lasak; Judge Presiding Peter Kelly. Justice, See NYmore Supreme coverage Court, on pages Appellate 15 and Division, 16. Randall Eng;Eagle Queens photo by County Andy Katz maximumHospital. of 25 years in prison.Continued on page 7 dead. is‘W affected,HPIMPO WILL andCONVICTED the B cityE Tof HEIN New QUEENS NE YorkXT and COURTQU theEENS mayor seat belts. “This is a crisis for any parent whose child Surrogate Court Judge Peter Kelly. See more coverage on pages 15 and 16. Eagle photo by Andy Katz “Today would have beenContinued his 22nd on birthday page 7,” Other first responders at the home noticed andDemocraticA the Queens DOE Party judgeneed toboss?’ is beexpected handling asks toCity sentencethis and as ifState. ait’s St. a Woodside resident Steven O’Brien (right) is charged with third-degree assault for that Elaina’s twin brother Kian had scratches is affected, and the city of New York and the mayor said McGee’s uncle Tim Murphy, 51. “We’re Albanscrisis,”The magazine predator said City narrowed to Councilmember up to eightthe choices years Jimmy in to prison U.S. Van allegedly throwing the punch that killed John McGee in Sunnyside on Nov. 22. and bruises in various stages of healing cover- Bramer.and the ParentsDOE need said tothat be at handling their emergency this as meetingif it’s a Continued on page 7 forcrisis,”Rep. admitting Grace said Meng, Citythat he CouncilmemberU.S. took Rep. advantage Gregory Jimmy of Meeks,a drug- Van Pool photo by Dennis Clark Empty Courthouse ing his body, according to the charges. Thursdaystate Sen. night, John it was Liu, established state Sen. that anyMichael school A few days after police arrested Torabi for addictedBramer. Parents senior said citizen that at and their pimped emergency a teenage meeting withGianaris persistent and Assemblymemberissues would get a new Vivian bus service.Cook. Empty Courthouse her alleged role in the assault, her estranged girl,Thursday prosecutors night, it wassaid. established Joseph Gilbert that any pleaded school The“If [Meeks] current wants service, to Grandpa’slead the party, Bus it Company, may be Full of History husband Muhammad Torabi jumped to his Auburndale resident Tina Torabi, 30, is charged with first-degree assault for allegedly guiltyreleasedwith persistent before a statement issuesQueens apologizing would Supreme get for a new the Court incidents bus Justiceservice. and By Clarissa Sosin death from a midtown Manhattan skyscraper. his for the taking,” they conclude. beating her infant son. Facebook photo PeterassuringThe current Vallone that service, thereJr. on is Thursday Grandpa’sa zero-tolerance for Bus attempting Company, policy forto Full Queensof History Daily Eagle “Many things could make you jump off a sexlawbreakingreleased traffick a statement aand 16-year leaving apologizing-old childrengirl for from thein incidentsdanger. December They and Jim Henderson: Wikipedia PhotogInside the By Queens Clarissa County Sosin Courthouse and in Long building,” Torabi’s attorney James Kousouros Island City a janitor cleaned the second floor bathroom, 2016alsoassuringTHE set to20T March that upH telephoneANN there 2017. U isA aRead L hotlineszero-tolerance ST. more PA T’ for onS FO anypage policyR parents A2. LL for Queens Daily Eagle told the Eagle Tuesday. “One could be guilt Kousouros told the Eagle in December that “This is a very difficult situation for her,” a loneInside security the Queens guard watched County the Courthouse front door in while Long his experiencinglawbreakingParade cruised andissues: leaving 718-475-7585,through children Sunnyside in 718-475-7586, danger. Theyand over what you did to your children and to your Torabi did not cause the injuries to the children. he said. “I don’t think it gets any more tragic.” andalso 718-475-7587. set up telephone hotlines for any parents Islandcolleagues City a janitor took their cleaned lunch the breakssecond floor and abathroom, judge sat On Tuesday, he said Torabi was “very Torabi is scheduled to return to court on Woodside on Sunday, bringing good cheer The Unsung Hero of Communitychatting with visitors on theNews empty benches of his wife. This is tragedy of monumental propor- experiencing issues: 718-475-7585, 718-475-7586, a lone security guard watched the front door while his to Queens.QUEENS Visit QueensEagle.com MURDER««« SUSPECT to see the courtroom. tions.” stressed.” Friday. and 718-475-7587.BUSTED AFTER STANDOFF WITH COPS colleagues took their lunch breaks and a judge sat photosQUEENSTURNSRURALTHISWEEKEND of Queens leaders and community chattingThe withdark By visitorshallways, Jonathan on normally the emptySperling bustling benches with ofpeople, his Amembers Prospect-Lefferts on FORTHECOUNTYFAIRthe move. «««Garden man who is wanted courtroom.sat mostly emptyQueens during a lullDaily Wednesday, Eagle leaving signs of theIt’s building’sa situation rich historyany community out in the open news for visitorseditor for ThetheQUEENSTURNSRURALTHISWEEKEND murderannual Queensof a Queens County man Fair was is coming arrested to The dark hallways, normally bustling with people, onFloral Friday Park Sept.following 22-23, a and two-hour they’re -plusbringingstandoff a jam- sattoin mostly admire New emptyY ork Cityduring can a lull relate Wednesday, to. leaving signs Queens County Criminal Court Calendar — March. 6 — FORTHECOUNTYFAIR The pillared façade of the English Renaissance- withpacked police. schedule Last of family-friendly year, Wilbert ruralBryant activities was to of the Withbuilding’sa deadline rich history fast out inapproaching the open for visitors and a The annual Queens County Fair is coming to style building sits overlooking Court Square Park in the city. Hayrides, pie-eating, corn husking contests, to photoadmire hole to fill in a newspaper page, reporters indictedFloral Park in Sept.Brooklyn 22-23, Federal and they’re Court bringing along a withjam- Long Island City near the intersection of Jackson and carnival rides, blue ribbon competitions and much andThe editors pillared across façade the of thecity English seek copyright-free Renaissance- ALLEGED CHOP SHOP GLENDALE MAN CHARGED fourpacked others schedule for of char family-friendlyges in connection rural activities to the to Thomson Avenues. According to a plaque outside the ••• more will be available. “[The fair is] great for all ages styleimages building from sits sites overlooking like Wikipedia. Court SquareIn doing Park inso, Octoberthe city. Hayrides, 2017 death pie-eating, of Hani corn Kasem, husking the contests, owner front door, the construction finished in 1876 but BANDIT ARRAIGNED IN WITH PIMPING TEEN NIECE we will have lots of performers, acrobats, — stilt Longthey Island inevitably City near land the onintersection a photo of taken Jackson by andJim Eddy Florence is charged with first-degree FOREST HILLS GUN ofcarnival Garden rides, Valley blue ribbonDistribution competitions in Ozone and Park.much resumed again in the early 1900s after a fire destroyed SUPREME COURT walkers,” Queens County Farm Museum Director of ThomsonHenderson, Avenues. the According unsung tohero a plaque of communityoutside the kidnapping for allegedly forcing two teenage COLLECTOR Four of the co-conspirators were taken into much of the structure. Chukuweike Emeni of Far Rockaway is Communicationmore will be available. and Sales“[The Sarahfair is] Meyergreat for told all ages the front door, the construction finished in 1876 but girls to perform sex work. He appears in K10 news.Just past security at the entrance of the building is charged with third-degree insurance fraud for RETURNS TO COURT custodyQueenswe will have Chronicleand lotsvariously of. The performers, event,arraigned which acrobats, on takes a — nine- place stilt resumed again in the early 1900s after a fire destroyed for a conference. a largeThough multi-story most square-shapedpeople probably stairwell haven’ witht heard tiled allegedly stealing large vans, stripping them Forest Hills resident George Mirzayans is countfromwalkers,” 11 indictment a.m. Queens to 6County asp.m. Bryant each Farm day,remain Museum will on alsoDirector the have lam. of a much of the structure. Florence, a Glendale resident, allegedly floors,of Henderson, dark-colored you’ve wood andprobably metal banisters seen his that work. funnel and selling the parts. Emenei appears in TAP charged with first-degree criminal posses- Readbaby-elephant-sizedCommunication more on page and puppet16. Sales Sarah named Meyer “Peanuts told the Just past security at the entrance of the building is forced his 13-year-old niece to perform sex TO PLACE visitorsHenderson, up to the courtrooms a 70-year and-old the clerk’sHells office. Kitchen A for Supreme Court arraignment. sion of a controlled substance and criminal Elephant,”Queens Chronicle a petting. Thezoo, pony event, rides, which carnival takes games place a largeWithout multi-story the staircase square-shaped the building stairwell might no with longer tiled be work, forced her to take drugs and even had resident, has spent the last 12 years uploading Emeni and two co-defendants were charged possession of guns. He appears in APN for a andfrom live 11 music.a.m.A to TheLEGAL 6 p.m.Shannon each Breeze day, AD will Irish also Band, have who a floors,standing, dark-colored according woodto a history and metal buff whobanisters works that in thefunnel court. sex with her. thousands of original photographs to Wikipedia. with carrying out an elaborate scheme to steal conference. hasbaby-elephant-sized been performing at puppet the County named Fair “Peanuts for over the 10 visitorsIn upOctober to the courtrooms1970, someone and theplanted clerk’s a office.bomb on the In December 2017, the Queens District OVERHEATED COFFEE POT His snapshots feature many of the city’s Econoline vans and selling the tires, seats, Prosecutors say police executed a search years,Elephant,” will aprovide pettingContact sing-a-longs,zoo, Gina pony Ong, rides, dance carnival music games and thirdWithout floor theoutside staircase of the the mainbuilding courtroom. might no Thelonger phone be Attorney’s office said Florence, 32, asked his CAUSEDLegal AdvertisingEMERGENCY Manager LANDING most prominent — and not-so-prominent — bumpers, radios, rooftops and various other warrant at Mirzayans’ home in June and re- rock music. The Savannah Sky Country Band and standing,booth that according the bomb to a explodedhistory buff in who was works destroyed in the but court. the niece to perform sex work beginning in No- and live [email protected] The Shannon Breeze Irish Band, who car parts. The three people allegedly targeted covered seven guns as well as ammunition, the TheSomething Port Authority Special Big Benevolent Band will alsoAssociation have sets buildinginstitutions,In October maintained 1970,intersections someoneits structural andplanted integrityplaces a bomb of because interest. on the the vember of that year. He then posted her photos has been performing at the County Fair for over 10 vehicles in East Elmhurst, Flushing, Jackson magazines for ammunition and drugs. Cops tweeted on Friday that a Delta flight heading thirdlargeHendrson floor staircase outside began absorbed of thetaking maina significant photoscourtroom. partand Theof buildingthe phone blast, on websites used for the purpose of soliciting onyears, the willfair’s provide main stage. sing-a-longs, For adults, dance there music is a andbeer Heights, Kew Gardens, Little Neck and parts discovered a Winchester Super X Rifle, a from North Carolina to Boston was diverted boothhelpingvital that W to theikipedia diffuse bomb the explodedpage power in inof2006 wasthe bomb.destroyedwhen he butretired the sex workers. gardenrock music. available, The Savannah as well as Sky live Country medieval Band combat and of Nassau County between July 2017 and Feb- loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a to JFK because of an overheated coffee pot building maintained its structural integrity because the Florence also allegedly brought his niece demonstrations.the Something Special The cost Big of Bandgeneral will admission also have to sets the Continued on page 2 ruary 2018. .30 caliber lever action rifle and a .25 caliber onboard.fair is $10 forNo adults, injuries $5 for werekids ages reported. 4-11, and “Infree large staircase absorbed a significantContinued part on of thepage blast, 16 JUSTICE KRON PRESIDES and another girl to a Staten Island hotel to on the fair’s main stage. For adults, there is a beer semi-automatic pistol. Police said they also 2018forgarden toddlers P available,APD 3 andARFF asbelow. well responded as live medievalto 424 aircraftcombat helping to diffuse the power of the bomb. perform sex work. recovered about 10 pounds of marijuana, over ••• JUSTICE VALLONE PRESIDES emerdemonstrations.gencies among The cost «««other of general emer admissiongencies,” tothe the Continued on page 2 eight ounces of cocaine, liquid marijuana, a Twitter account wrote. INSIDE: measuring scale and spoons with cocaine res- fair is $10SEX-TRAFFICKER“CADILLACSLIM” for adults, $5 for kids ages 4-11, and free INSIDE: for toddlersPLEADSGUILTYTOMULTIPLECHARGES 3 and below. idue on them. PUBLISHERS: JUSTICE MELENDEZ PRESIDES Grevy Gerard Pierre-Louis,««« 46 — also known as CUNY Collection Showcases Free Synagogue of Flushing “CadillacMichaelBLOOMBERG Slim” Nussbaum or “Caddy” GIVES couldMILLIONSJ.D. beHasty facing life AnimalINSIDE: Hoarder ••• [email protected]“CADILLACSLIM”[email protected] Jim Henderson has taken over 9,000 photographs of prominent — and not-so- behindTO HELP bars after ST. PETE pleading REDUCE guilty EMISSIONS in a Manhattan Eagle photo by Clarissa Sosin The oldest Reform synagogue in Queens opened its doors it 1917. One PLEADSGUILTYTOMULTIPLECHARGESMANAGING EDITOR The Queens County Courthouse in Long Island City. Student and Faculty Work federalFormer court New last Wednesday,York City Mayor according Michael to the prominent — New York City. Unlike most photographers, though, Henderson’s Returns to Court hundred and two years later, the congregation continues to be welcoming ALLEGED KISSENA PARK Grevy Gerard Pierre-Louis,David Brand 46 — also known as BloomberQueens Chronicleg’s [email protected]. The Queens is giving native a Floridawas charged city photos are free to download from Wikipedia. Eagle photo by Jonathan Sperling CUNY CollectionSEE PAGE Showcases 2 to all people: interfaith couples, straight, gay, every ethnicity and heritage, PREDATOR IN COURT with“Cadillac conspiracy Slim” to or commit “Caddy” sex couldtrafficking, be facing as well life as SEE PAGE 7 Charles Tobin is charged with predatory $2.5 million to aid its efforts to fight climate conspiracybehind bars to after transport pleadingDIGITAL minorsEDITOR guilty interstate in a Manhattan for the spanning the generations with an elderly contingent as well as member sexual assault for allegedly raping two wom- The Queens County Courthouse in Long Island City. Eagle photo by Clarissa Sosin Student and Faculty Work change.purposefederal courtof Bloomberprostitution. lastJonathan Wednesday,g “The Sperlingannounced defendant according spentThursday to most the families with young children. en at knifepoint in KIssena Corridor Park in [email protected] Finding Lost Batallion Hall Forest Hills Apartments thatofQueens his St. adult ChroniclePetersbur life profiting.g, TheFlorida Queens from is hisnativethe victimization20th was U.S. charged city of QueensSEE Rhodes PAGE 2 Scholar 2017. Tobin appears in TAP B for a confer- togirlswith be conspiracy andselected women as to partcommit through of Bloomber sex extreme trafficking,g’s physical American as well and as L Train Shutdown Reveral Receives Mixed Reviews The Free Synagogue remains loyal to the inscription above its magnificent ence. ADVERTISING MANAGER FearsSell He for Can't $500 Come Million Home neo-classical facade which reads, “For mine house shall be called a house Citiespsychologicalconspiracy Climate to abuse,”transport KatChallenge saidRamus minors U.S. interstateinitiative.Attorney for for The the the Prosecutors say the first assault occurred [email protected] On Queens Boulevard SEE PAGE 7 of prayer for all people” when Tobin demanded money from a 32-year- purpose of prostitution. “TheContinuedContinued defendant on spenton page page most 22 Finding LostSEE BatallionPAGE 15 Hall Forest HillsSEE PAGEApartments 11 of his adult life profiting from his victimization of SEE PAGE 10 – Isaiah 56:7. old woman in the park at knifepoint then LEGAL ADVERTISING MANAGER pulled her into a trail in a wooded area and girls and women throughGina Ong extreme physical and Sell for $500 Million For information about membership and our programming, psychological [email protected] abuse,” said U.S. Attorney for the allegedly raped her. On Queens Boulevard SEE PAGE 7 contact our office at: (718)961- 0030 Tobin also allegedly forced a 17-year-old Continued on page 2 or, [email protected] girl into the woods with a knife and made her SEE PAGE 10 perform a sex act. Both victims were treated Alan J. Brava, Executive Director at a local hospital. Police caught Tobin after Edward Schauder, President they saw a man fitting the suspect’s descrip- Souksavat Soukhasem, Director of Community Affairs tions in the park again. Jenifer Rosenberg, Office Manager JUSTICE BUCHTER PRESIDES •••

2 • Queens Daily Eagle • Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Queens ADAs Yet to Match Diversity of The Borough Continued from page 1 member of the Queens DA for Overall, 32 of the 343 ADAs Accountability coalition, which (9.3 percent) were men of color. The Queens DA’s Office advocates for justice reform ini- “There are hundreds of men employed 343 assistant dis- tiatives in the DA’s office. of color being prosecuted in trict attorneys — 190 women In Queens and citywide, Queens, and those numbers are and 153 men — as of Sept. 6, people of color make up a dis- horrible,” said defense attorney 2018. Roughly 30 percent of proportionate number of crimi- Victoria Brown-Douglas, who the ADAs were people of color, nal defendants — further high- is black. “When my clients look compared to roughly 75 percent lighting the contrast between in my face, they see what’s pos- of all Queens residents, accord- prosecutors and the people they sible for themselves.” ing to the U.S. Census Bureau’s prosecute, Gbollie said. Brown-Douglas, a former as- American Community Survey During a court-observing sistant district attorney in Man- for 2018. shift in Queens Criminal Court hattan, recently founded the The DA’s office reported that on Feb. 12, for example, the Po- Southeast Queens Court Watch 39 of its assistant district attor- lice Reform Organizing Project program to observe Queens neys (11.4 percent) were Afri- found that 21 of 22 (95.5 per- Supreme Court arraignments can-American; 31 assistants (9 cent) of defendants were peo- and report their findings to the percent) were Hispanic or Lat- ple of color. That number was communities. The members inx; and 34 of the assistants (9.9 slightly lower than the citywide will pay specific attention to the percent) were Asian. total of 96.7 percent that PROP demographics of the assistant The American Community counted during four court-mon- district attorneys, she said. Last Survey reports that 20.5 per- itoring shifts in each borough month, CourtWatch NYC also A graph depicts the demographic breakdown in the Queens DA’s Office. Eagle graph cent of Queens residents are but Staten Island last month. began monitoring arraignments black or African-American; 28 Gbollie said the people of in Queens. percent are Hispanic or Latinx; color she represents often do On its website, the Queens Listed below are the job fairs prosecutors’ offices in the area ties disproportionately affected 27.1 percent are Asian; and 25 not think they will be given a DA’s Office said it is “especial- and professional organizations as of July 9. The DA’s office by the criminal justice system, percent of Queens residents fair shot when they encounter ly sensitive” to “reaching into the Office regularly and aggres- provided demographic data of said Queens Democratic So- are white, non-Hispanic or few prosecutors who look like [Queens’] culturally diverse sively seeks new candidates for local prosecutors’ offices based cialists of America organizer non-Latinx. them. areas.” assistant district attorney posi- on a report by the New York Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani is White men occupy nine of “What it feels like is ‘These A spokesperson for Queens tions.” Law Journal. a member of the Queens for DA the office’s top 12 positions. people do not care about us … District Attorney Richard A. The job fairs and organiza- Queens had a higher per- Accountability coalition. The district attorney and chief They don’t understand my situ- Brown described the office’s tions include the Southeastern centage of prosecutors of color DAs must also consider the assistant district attorney are ation,’” she said. “If you have a specific outreach efforts. Minority Job Fair, National (30 percent) than New York impact of prosecutorial poli- both white men, as are four of DA’s Office that’s more reflec- “Queens District Attorney Black Prosecutors Association, County (22.9 percent), neigh- cies on communities of color, five executive assistant district tive of the communities they Richard A. Brown has always Lavendar Job Fair, Hispanic boring Nassau County (15.1 he said. attorneys and three of five dep- serve, you break up that dy- recognized the need to have a National Bar Association, Pub- percent), Suffolk County (9.8 “We’re working with the uty executive assistants. One namic. It’s actually helpful on diverse office of prosecutors lic Interest Legal Career Fair, percent), Westchester County coalition and groups across executive ADA is an African all sides: diversity and inclusion and support staff in order to National Latina/o Law Student (21.7 percent), the U.S. Attorney the borough to make the office American man, one deputy is the only way to understand successfully serve the many Association, Asian American for the Eastern District of New more representative of the bor- executive ADA is an African the other. That’s how you build cultures and communities of Bar Association of New York, York (16.5 percent) and the U.S. ough,” Mamdani said. “Repre- American man and another ex- respect.” Queens County,” the spokes- National Black Law Students Attorney for the Southern Dis- sentation is critical, but it’s not ecutive ADA is a white woman. Men of color are particularly person said. “Every year we Association - Northeast Re- trict of New York (17.8 percent). the be-all end-all. Part of trans- “Diversity matters and in- underrepresented in the Queens send an executive assistant to gion and the Midwest-Califor- Only Bronx County (34.1 forming the office is who ia clusion matters, and it needs DA’s office. various minority job fairs in an nia-Georgia Consortium Pro- percent) and Kings County represented and the other part to be reflected in these offices There were 12 Afri- effort to recruit more people of gram, the spokesperson said. (33.9 percent) had a higher per- is what policies are put forth — because it’s about being able to can-American men and 27 color to join the Queens Dis- The disparities in the Queens centage of prosecutors of color that’s the primary fight.” empathize with the community, African-American women; 11 trict Attorney’s Office. We have DA’s Office reflect a broader than Queens. This article is Part One in a understand the issues, represent Hispanic/Latino men and 20 maintained strong relationships trend among prosecutors’ offic- But proportional represen- series about demographics in them and reflect them,” said Hispanic/Latina women; and with various professional or- es in the region. In fact, Queens tation alone does not bridge the the Queens District Attorney’s Finda Gbollie, an attorney with nine Asian men and 25 Asian ganizations to attract lawyers employed a higher percentage gap between institutions like Office and the legal profession Five Borough Defenders and a women working as prosecutors. of all races and backgrounds. of people of color than most the DA’s Office and communi- overall.

Queens DA Richard A. Brown appointed 25 new assistant district attorneys in October 2018. Photo courtesy of the Queens DA’s Office

To submit op-eds and letters, Contact Managing Editor David Brand [email protected]

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 • Queens Daily Eagle • 7 Vallone Pumps Brakes On Belmont Plan Without ‘Essential’ Train Service By David Brand Ensuring the station is at full Center — which was not de- Queens Daily Eagle operation by the time this de- signed for hockey — and the Count Councilmember velopment project is complet- Nassau Coliseum — which is Paul Vallone among Queens ed is essential.” in disrepair. lawmakers pumping the Vallone represents Auburn- The timeshare has taken a brakes on their support for the dale, Bay Terrace, Bayside, toll on the team: Despite lead- Belmont Park Redevelopment Beechhurst, College Point, ing the Metropolitan Division, Project without upgraded Douglaston, Flushing, Little the Islanders remain dead last public transportation. Vallone Neck, Malba, and Whites- in the league in attendance. has called on the state to run tone and said he is “personal- They have been in the bottom Long Island Rail Road ser- ly thrilled” that the Islanders three of attendance each year vice at Belmont Park Station will return to their roots in since moving to Brooklyn. before moving forward with Nassau County, but added that Vallone is not the only the $1 billion project. the developers, the New York Queens lawmaker placing The plan to build a 19-000 Arena Partners (NYAP), must public transportation precon- seat arena for the New York take into account the impact ditions on the Belmont Park In addition to a new home rink for the Islanders, the project will include a massive mall Islanders and a massive mall on congestion and quality of Redevelopment Project. complex on 43 acres of land life in Eastern Queens. NYAP State Sen. Leroy Comrie complex. Rendering via Empire State Development next to Belmont Park Race is a development groups that of St. Albans has criticized Track “will have far-reaching includes Sterling Equities, the the plan and last month is- impacts on communities in Scott Malkin Group, Madison sued “five essential points” Queens and Nassau County,” Square Garden and the Oak that developers must meet to Vallone said in a letter to Em- View Group. earn his support. Comrie spe- pire State Development, the “Daily attendance levels cifically wants NYAP to pay quasi-governmental agency are projected to reach be- for upgrades to the Belmont overseeing the project. tween 60,000 and 100,000 Park Station, which could cost The surge in visitors to visitors during peak periods $300 million, Gothamist re- Belmont Park, located a — a substantial jump from the ported. few hundred yards from the average 3,000 visitors,” Val- Comrie said the project Queens border in Elmont, lone said. “Without the proper must hire minority and wom- N.Y., will cause congestion forethought, this project could en-owned businesses and lo- and necessitate full LIRR ser- negatively affect quality of cal vendors, conduct a traffic vice at the site, he said. The life for the thousands of my study in each community with Belmont Park Station is only constituents who depend on streets leading to the site and open on race days during the the active road and railways expand the Cross Island Ex- horseracing season. surrounding Belmont Park to pressway. “The implementation of commute every day.” Last month, state Sen. Ma- full-time, east to west service The Islanders played at jority Leader Andrea Stew- with a Park and Ride option Nassau Coliseum in Union- art-Cousins nominated state would provide the proper re- dale from 1972 to 2015, but Comrie for a seat on the Pub- lief to the inevitable influx moved to Brooklyn’s Barclays lic Authorities Control Board, of traffic on the already over- Center before the 2015-2016 which has the power to veto loaded Cross Island Parkway,” season. Nassau County voters development projects. It is Vallone said. “Implementing rejected a proposal to use pub- the same seat to which Stew- full-time train service at the lic funding to build an arena art-Cousins initially planned Belmont station would prop- to replace the aging Coliseum. to nominate state Sen. Mi- erly mitigate the influx of But Brooklyn has not em- chael Gianaris, an Amazon thousands more individuals braced the team, prompt- opponent who would have had who will seek to get to and ing the Islanders to split this the power to veto the Amazon Queens Councilmember Paul Vallone has called on the state to run full LIRR service at from this hub on a daily basis. season between the Barclays deal. Belmont Park Station. Photo courtesy of Vallone’s Office

10 • Queens Daily Eagle • Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Blockbuster Or Flop? State Film Tax Credits Bring Mixed Reviews By Meredith Jordan in the United States, To un- Casting have opened offices Special to the Eagle derstand why much of the along with big studios like The entertainment that movie happened in Georgia Pinewood. With time, oth- movies provide is deeply is to take a quantum leap into er needed businesses have embedded in American pop- the business of Hollywood in filled in, from prop and ular culture. And in recent the new millennium. costume houses to catering years, the making of them in Tax incentives have come companies and casting agen- many states has become an and gone in a lot of states. cies. important consideration in They’ve worked for the Enhances existing their economic strategy. states that stuck with them. businesses States have lured Hol- Some state politicians In building an infrastruc- lywood movie production and economic experts say ture for future filmmaking, with tax credits, banking the benefits states receive the economic impact is felt that shooting films in their in association with movie across many parts of the area will substantially boost production aren’t enough already-existing business their economy. As of 2018, to justify tax breaks for the community. When a film or 31 states offered film tax industry. Some states have TV show is produced, a lot incentives, according to the dropped or reduced tax in- of jobs come with it. People National Conference of State centives for films. Other sometimes forget that stu- Legislatures (NCSL). state leaders see the credits dios also hire local compa- While the move has been as a necessary tool that stim- nies: dry cleaners, caterers, controversial in some states ulates the broader economy; paper shredders, hotels and and spurred legislative de- New Jersey and Ohio are florists. They buy clothes bate, largely over lost tax among those who called for and furniture and greenery. revenue and budget pres- bigger tax breaks recently All that has an enormous ef- sure, it has been a hit in oth- for film companies. fect on direct spending. Oth- ers, such as Georgia, with There are several differ- er industries are impacted as Atlanta now being called ent ways film tax credits im- well, including health care, “Hollywood East.” The state pact state economies: manufacturing, food ser- A film crew shoots the movie Enchanted in New York City. claims an economic impact Creates new businesses vices, transportation, retail Photo Courtesy of manuel | MC via Flickr Creative Commons of $9.5 billion since the film and job sectors and real estate. tax incentives were passed States committed to the Increases awareness of it and more appealing in Hollywood to them. hind-the-scenes happenings in 2008. Georgia doled out film industry see a steady of the state the process. Meredith Jordan is the in the making of Last Vegas. $600 million in incentives flow of production annual- Filming locations show The movie industry relies author of “Below The Line: An award-winning report- alone in 2016. ly, which creates new busi- off a place. Some become heavily on incentives. Take Anatomy of a Successful er, Jordan worked for East Film tax incentives have nesses sustainable for the cultural landmarks. All of them away or cut them too Movie.” Jordan, who had Coast news organizations proven to be mutually bene- long-term. New companies that encourages tourism. It much and they’ll stay home. the rare experience of be- for 25 years, including Dow ficial and are likely to stay. open to service the indus- all works hand-in-hand. It The trend among numerous ing an embedded journal- Jones & Co., Cox Communi- Tax credits have reshaped try. In Georgia, companies shines a brighter light on the states is to make their tax ist for an entire Hollywood cations and National Geo- the face of movie production like Panavision and Central state, making people aware programs appealing to bring feature, chronicled the be- graphic. OPINION: Overdevelopment Is Trashing Our Streets By Andrew Cotto up like flags of submis- leftovers in Carroll Park. wonderful restaurants — Special to the Eagle sion, the additional bags The pigeons are fat and far unless you want to wander There’s a moment in the are strewn around common less timid than they used the garbage-strewn streets legendary Brooklyn-based, areas, marring the environs to be, except when visiting for a couple of hours first. ’50s TV show "The Hon- of our charming city blocks. seagulls swoop in to bul- At what point does some- eymooners" when the Public cans on sidewalks ly their way to available one address the fact that oversized Ralph Cramden and in parks overflow days edibles on our streets and we’ve become the four- saunters from the bedroom before pickup, leaving a parks. pound salami in the two- wearing a way-too-small mixed detritus that clings If you think pigeon poop pound bag? suit and confidently asks his to the curbs and floats down is gross, get a load of the At what point does some- wife how he looks. Her an- the sidewalks like urban drip-paint job seagulls do one say enough with the de- swer, which I paraphrase, is tumbleweed. with their feces splatter. velopment already? basically: like a four-pound On the upside, if I ever Why does a raccoon live Andrew Cotto is the salami in a two-pound bag. leave the house to walk the on my roof instead of in award-winning author of I think of this compar- dog without a pick-up bag, I Prospect Park? I don't know, three novels and is a reg- ison when I see the tragic just grab one from the street but I’m not inclined to find ular contributor to The garbage receptacles of New or off a branch. out — because it is huge and New York Times. Andrew York City overflowing with There’s a brilliant street indifferent to my dogs and has also written for Pa- trash. There’s far too much artist who uses discarded my attempts at persuasion. rade, Men’s Journal, Roll- salami and not enough bag plastic to thread messages Nocturnal squatter aside, ing Stone, The Huffington — and this time, it's not so on cyclone fences in a man- it’s not that we humans Post, Condé Nast Traveler, funny. ner similar to the way Bas- don’t have the smaller ani- Italy magazine, Maxim, and A full mesh garbage can on a city corner. Photo George Hodan by via Shutterstock In 2010, I complained in quiat spray painted walls in mals outnumbered. In fact, more. He lives in Brooklyn, a New York Times editori- the down-and-out ’70s of it’s our very volume that New York. al about the onerous impact New York City. has nurtured these creatures The Queens Daily Eagle of the city’s development, The trash cans on streets and brought them to into our welcomes submissions for Sexually Transmitted Diseases | Dermatology especially with regard to can no longer close, their neighborhoods. opinions, commentary and the stealing of our sky and lids propped up like flags of It’s this volume that not letters to the editor. If you Rapid, Effective, Treatment, the blotting out of our light. submission. only increases our ugly ex- would like to be considered And now, nearly 10 years Aesthetics aside, it’s also posure to excessive garbage for publication, e-mail da- Confidential HIV Test. later, the comeuppance of a matter of natural environ- and all its rank manifesta- vid@queenspublicmedia. Dr. D. Park, MD, Specialist rampant vertical develop- ment as our habitat is shifts tions (see: burly varmints com with a short summa- ment has reached ground for the worse. and pooping Jackson Pol- ry of the topic about which 718-429-3800 level in the form of too Have you seen the size lacks), but also clogs our you'd like to write, and any 40-44 82 St. Elmhurst, Queens much trash. of the squirrels these days? streets, crams our schools, qualifications you may have Once the bins in front of They are eating well — as jams our subways and on the subject. We do not (1 block from Roosevelt Ave #7 Train) buildings can’t be stuffed are the abundance of rats makes it nearly impossible pay for opinions, commen- Accept Major Insurance. any more, their lids propped who are living large off to get a seat at any of our tary or letters to the editor.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 • Queens Daily Eagle • 11 IT’S IN QUEENS This Week

Monthly Jazz Jam: and Vinnie Mark. $69. Queens Historical Society, Celebrating the Legacy Verdi’s Restaurant, 149-58 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing of Louis Armstrong Cross Island Pkwy., Whites- ————— Today at 7 p.m. tone Musicians gather and play un- ————— Morning Bird Walk der the direction of saxophone Saturday at 10 a.m. legend Carol Sudhalter. Don’t Spring Awakening A seasoned naturalist leads an play? Come and listen. Friday through March 24 early morning search for dif- Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 This musical explores the ferent bird species. $5. Northern Blvd. journey through adolescence, Alley Pond Environmental ————— examining morality and sexu- Center, 228-06 Northern al politics while unapologeti- Blvd., Douglaston Latinx Homages cally plumbing the depths of ————— Friday through Sunday the hormonal teenage psyche. Tremendous dance and music $22/$25 at the door. First run Taste of the World Festival by Latino singers and com- is March 7-10 at 8 p.m. with Sunday at 2:30 p.m. posers. Salsa, Cumbia, Tex- an additional 2 p.m. show Local restaurants provide Mex, Cha-cha-cha and Mam- on March 10. Second run is dishes for this eighth annual bo. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 March 20-24 at 8 p.m. with event. Expect 200 people and p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m. an additional 2 p.m. show on about 40 vendors. $25/$30 at Thalía Spanish Theatre, 41-17 March 24. the door. Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside The Secret Theatre, 44-02 Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, ————— 23rd St., LIC 110-06 Queens Blvd., Forest ————— Hills In Practice: ————— Other Objects Single Entry: Today until March 25 A Caribbean Comedy Women’s History Month This exhibition displays new Friday through March 10 Free Screening pieces by 11 artists and artist Four presentations of this play Sunday at 3 p.m. World-renowned Indian singer Falu performs at Flushing Town Hall on Saturday. teams that probe the slippages about two Jamaican women Watch “Pariah,” which tells Photo courtesy of the Queens Tourism Counci and interplay between object- who devise hilarious strate- the story of Alike, a 17-year- hood and personhood. gies to obtain U.S. visas. They old African American in NYC SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves make it to NYC to learn that embracing her identity as a St., LIC things aren’t as good as they lesbian. ————— expected. Lewis H. Latimer House Mu- York College Performing Arts seum, 34-41 137th St., Flushing Bionic Me, Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer ————— Today until May 5 Blvd. in Jamaica With hands-on displays and ————— Spring Forward: full-body experiences, this 10 and 5 Mile Races exhibition explores the med- Global Mashup: Bollywood Sunday at 8 a.m. ical and industrial break- Meets Global Roots Blues Two races at the same time. throughs that have enhanced Saturday at 7 p.m. One is four loops. The other the human experience. Visi- Falu, an internationally rec- is two loops. Children’s run at tors can move a ball with their ognized Indian vocalist, 10:30 am. Forest Park mind, manipulate a robot performs. Hazmat Modine, ————— arm, race against a Paralym- a band that melds African, pian, use night vision to see Central Asian, Caribbean and Center of Attention in the dark, and explore how Eastern European influenc- March 10 at 3:30 p.m. technology can provide cam- es, takes the stage. Then, the Visitors are invited to engage ouflage and make a human groups join and jam. $16. in a conversation about Isamu invisible. Flushing Town Hall, 135-35 Noguchi’s “To Intrude on Na- New York Hall of Science, 47- Northern Blvd. ture’s Way (1971),” which is 01 111th St., Corona ————— on permanent display. Free ————— with admission. Canten A Coro The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 Island of the Saturday at 8 p.m. 33rd Rd., LIC Hungry Ghosts The Astoria Choir, which has ————— Friday through March 17 almost 100 members, sings Fourteen screenings of the Spanish language music, in- Distance, Longing exclusive NYC engagement cluding settings of poems by and the Digital of Gabrielle Brady’s debut Federico Garcia Lorca and Sunday at 3 p.m. that won Best Documentary Pablo Neruda, folks songs and Artists from “Distance: at the 2018 Tribeca Film Fes- villancicos. $20. Works on Paper by Skow- tival. Poh Lin Lee provides Trinity Lutheran Church, 31- hegan Alumni” discuss how therapy to asylum seekers in a 18 37th St. in Astoria they address longing and at- high-security detention center ————— tempts to bridge the distance in the Australian territory of between here and there, now Christmas Island. Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. and then, through digital Museum of the Moving Image, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. means. Free. 36-01 35th Ave. in Astoria’s The screening of a documen- Dorksy Gallery, 11-03 45th Kaufman Arts District tary on Grammy-nominated Ave., LIC ————— British-Sri Lankan sing- ————— er-songwriter-rapper-produc- Friday Night Stand-up er-political activist Matangi The “It’s In Queens” column Friday at 7 p.m. Arulpragasam, better known is produced by the Queens Dinner, dancing, and comedy as “M.I.A.” Over two de- Tourism Council with the with an Italian buffet, a live cades, this daughter of a Tam- hope that readers will enjoy deejay, and “It’s Your Line il resistance fighter goes from the borough’s wonderful at- Now!” featuring veteran fun- refugee to immigrant to star. tractions. More info at nymen Al Isaacs, Scott Baker, $10. www.itsinqueens.com Alley Pond Park features a guided morning bird walk on Saturday. Photo via NYC Parks Queens Chamber Hosts Annual St. Pat’s Luncheon By Eagle Staff Dr. Brian J. O’Dwyer from and cabbage. Queens Daily Eagle the law firm O’Dwyer and The luncheon takes place The Queens Chamber of Bernstein., Queens Cham- at Antun’s of Queens Village Commerce will host its an- ber President Tom Grech, located at 96-43 Springfield nual St. Patrick’s Day Lun- hundreds of business and Blvd. in Queens Village. cheon on Wednesday, March community leaders and — of RSVP by contacting 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. course — some Celtic music [email protected] or Queens Chamber of Commerce President Tom Grech speaks at a February breakfast The event will feature and customary corned-beef calling 347-361-9983. event at Antun’s of Queens Village. Eagle file photo by Andy Katz

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 • Queens Daily Eagle • 15 QUEENSQUEENS Legal, Judicial & Courthouse News

PAGE 16 Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Eroded Stretch of Rockaway Beach Set to Re-open By David Brand and our federal partners on a livelihoods depend on sum- Queens Daily Eagle solution to get it done.” mer traffic. Good news for beachgoers Local Councilmember Eric In June 2018, Steve Costel- — and local businesses: An Ulrich, who ran unsuccess- lo, the director of operations Swimmers and sunbathers pack Rockaway Beach. eroded stretch of Rockaway fully for public advocate last at The Lobster Joint, told the Beach is set to re-open in time month, praised the plan to re- Eagle he was bitter — even for summer. store and re-open the beach. after the city opened two Mayor Bill de Blasio an- "I am pleased the Mayor blocks between Beach 96th nounced an agreement Mon- has heeded our call for ad- Street and Beach 98th Street. day between the city and fed- ditional sand on Rockaway “We feel we were bam- eral government to replenish Beach. Residents and local boozled,” Costello said at the a strip of sand between Beach business owners suffered be- time. “I already had contacts 92nd Street and Beach 103rd cause of last year's beach clo- signed, expenses paid—and Street that the city abruptly sure,” said Councilmember suddenly they’re telling me, closed days before beaches Eric Ulrich. “While I am re- ‘Oh, your beach is closed.’” were scheduled to open last lieved the city is taking these Though the businesses Memorial Day Weekend. important steps to protect our around the beach stayed open, As part of the plan, the city coastal communities, oth- the city’s announcement di- and the U.S. Army Corps of er areas of the beach remain verted many potential visitors Engineers will use dredged vulnerable. The city must to Coney Island and other area sand to restore the beach, de continuously replenish sand beaches. Blasio said. throughout the Rockaway Parks spokesperson Crys- “Rockaway Beach defines Peninsula while we wait for tal Howard told the Eagle in summer in New York City,” the ACOE resiliency projects June 2018 that the City “con- de Blasio said. “Reopening to begin." sidered every conceivable this beach means a lot to this The initial decision to close way to keep the beach open.” community and families all the beach last year prompted “Ultimately it had to be over the city. We’ve worked protests from local residents closed for the safety of beach- months with the Army Corps and business-owners whose goers,” Howard said. New Yorkers head to Rockaway Beach to beat the heat. Photos by Zach Hoffman Rego Park Non Profit Chief Pleads Guilty To Visa Fraud Scheme By Jonathan Sperling Armenian immigrants were where the immigrants wore Queens Daily Eagle members of traditional Arme- Armenian dance costumes to Show’s over. nian performance groups. make it appear as though they A Rego Park woman who Between January 2013 and were traditional Armenian conspired to bring foreign December 2014, Boyadjian musicians, singers and per- nationals unlawfully into the and a group of co-conspira- formers. country under the guise of tors used the false claims as Once they made it into the an entertainment visa plead reasoning for the immigrants United States, some recipients guilty in federal court, U.S. to qualify for P-3 visas, which of the P-3 visas paid addition- Attorney Richard P. Dono- are issued to “culturally al money to Boyadjian and her ghue said Monday. unique” artists or entertainers. conspirators in order to obtain Stella Boyadjian, 48, who In exchange for fees up to extensions of their stays in the headed the Rego Park-based $10,000, Boyadjian and her country. nonprofit Big Apple Mu- co-conspirators prepared and At her sentencing, Boyad- sic Awards Foundation Inc. filed the fraudulent P-3 visa jian faces a maximum of 10 (BAMA) also pled guilty to applications. They also pur- years in prison for the visa. visa fraud and aggravated chased fraudulent documents Fraud charge, as well as an identity theft after prosecutors to support the applications, additional mandatory consec- accused her of fraudulently such as fake dance certifi- utive sentence of two years’ claiming to the United States cates. imprisonment for aggravated Citizenship and Immigra- The defendants went as identity theft, according to tion Services that a group of far as to stage photo sessions prosecutors.

Federal court for the Eastern District of New York. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

16 • Queens Daily Eagle • Wednesday, March 6, 2019