HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2013 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC
Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com
N E W S P A P E R
VOLUME SIXTEEN, ISSUE 13
20 PAGES
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2013
MELVILLE MELVILLE
Attorney Accused In ‘John’ Sting
Chamber Chairman Dies At 51 By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
(Continued on page A18)
Larry Kushnick TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Limited Profits At The Gas Pump Stations see fraction of each gallon as several close on Jericho Half Hollow Hills photos/Mike Koehler
A 72-year-old attorney from Melville was one of more than 100 snared in a month-long sting operation targeting alleged “johns,” the Nassau County District Attorney’s office announced Monday. Melville’s Gary H. Friedenberg was one of 104 men arrested on April 19 as part of “Operation Flush The Johns,” a sting operation by the DA’s office. Each of the 104 men, who range in age from 17-79, is accused of patronizing a prostitute in the third degree. Their identities were released during a Monday morning press conference. Friedenberg’s attorney, William Petrillo, said the DA’s office erred in releasing identities. “Gary is a well-respected attorney and a great man who has done many great things for a lot of people,” Petrillo said. “It’s unfortunate that these investigations are being made public.” But Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice said exposing the suspects might make others think twice. “Not only do people have a right to know who their prosecutors and police are arresting and charging with crimes, but we know that the commission of this specific crime is dramatically affected by the perceived risk of getting caught,” Rice said. “We are giving fair warning to johns that the risk is growing rapidly.” Targeting men and women, the DA’s office used backpage.com to solicit would-be clients for escort services. The ads included a phone number that patrons called to arrange a meeting at a local hotel. But the “escort” was an undercover cop, and the hotel room where they met was wired with hidden cameras. Once money was offered for sex, the suspects were arrested and charged. Rice said the sting operation targeting johns is the beginning of a new chapter in Nassau County law
Larry Kushnick, the newly appointed chairman of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, died suddenly Monday morning at his Huntington home. Kushnick, a father of a 14-year-old son with a law practice in Melville, was 51. His sudden death has left members of the chamber in shock. Many of them had gathered that morning at the Crescent Club for the organization’s annual golf outing, which Kushnick never made it to. Sworn in less than two weeks ago on May 21 to lead the chamber, Kushnick had deep ties to the Huntington community, starting with his days as a young man in Greenlawn. An attorney for a quarter-century who focused on construction and business litigation, he first got involved in the Huntington Chamber about 15 years ago when he began
working on the Long Island Fall Festival, held every year in Heckscher Park. “I kind of moved my way up as a volunteer with the Fall Festival,” he said after being sworn in May 21. The Fall Festival was still near and dear to him after all these years, and he said at the time he planned to stay involved as long as he could. “It’s the greatest festival on Long Island and that’s why I’ve been so involved in it,” he said. “It’s a tremendous amount of work, but it’s the lifeblood of the chamber. It really helps the chamber function and run, and it’s such a great showpiece for the town.” As time went on and he proved his mettle, the chamber invited Kushnick to join the board, and his climb to the top of the organization began. Leadership Huntington, which Kushnick graduated from in 1997, was a “catalyst” in learning how to give back.
By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com
The price at the pump is almost back over $4 a gallon, but most of that money isn’t pooling in the gas station’s tanks. A Mobil at Jericho Turnpike and Park Avenue closed within the past few weeks, and a Shell on Jericho Turnpike and Elwood Road shut down this past winter. Both occupied corners of busy intersections in an era when prices are peaking. But Michael Watt, executive director of Melville-based Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, said it’s tough to own a gas station these days. “The whole industry has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Back in the day, the oil companies used to put millions of dollars into marketing and took care of the retail locations. Now they don’t want anything to do with retail,” Watt said, adding that wholesalers take a cut and sell it to individual stations. On a $3.75 gallon of gas, Watt said, most goes back to the oil company. New York State gets 31 cents and the federal government gets 18 cents. The station owner will see 9 cents on a good day, he (Continued on page A18)
Two fuel tanks are being destroyed at this former Mobil station on Park Avenue and Jericho Turnpike.
IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
Driver Plows Through Jericho Tpke. Salon A5
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