BAD BET
AddabboBlastsGovernor forVetoingDownstateCasino License Bill
Addabbo’s legislation would have codified a timeframe for the casino license application process. On Tuesday, he vowed to reintroduce a revised bill. See Stories on Pages 2
Addabbo Rips Governor for Downstate Casino License Bill Veto
By Michael V. Cusenza
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven), chairman of the Commi ee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, blasted Gov. Kathy Hochul this week for vetoing his bill that would have accelerated the review process for proposals for downstate casino licenses.
Hochul declined to sign the legislation on Friday. “I cannot support a bill that aims to change the rules in the middle of the process,” she said in a statement.
Applications for three downstate casino licenses are due by June 27, 2025. e State Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to award the licenses by Dec. 31, 2025.
On Tuesday, Addabbo released his own 327-word statement on the ma er.
“Codifying a timeframe for an already unduly, prolonged downstate casino process would merely improve the process by allowing it to actually begin accepting applications, thus informing the unions and residents of New York when quality job creation could be expected, allowing the MTA to calculate when to expect the funds from the license fees and permitting it to project the significant future revenues from the casino’s operations. My legislation was attempting to bring credibility to the current state of the downstate casino process, not to ‘al-
ter the timeframe’ as stated in the governor’s veto message, since no codified timeframe to start accepting applications exists at all. The veto of S9673A, would further delay the creation of thousands of union jobs, postpone guaranteed funding for the MTA projected to be initially over $2 billion, as well as ongoing tax revenue for the MTA. Therefore, what rational reason is there for the state to hinder the submission of applications for a downstate casino process indefinitely, because
without codifying a submission and completion date said process can meander on as it has been for over two years already. Not the kind of inefficiency the people of New York deserve.
“I intend to reintroduce revised legislation that will codify the governor’s proposed timeframe to begin accepting applications in June 2025 and nalize the process in December 2025. Codifying a timeframe does not “change the rules in the middle of the process” as governor also
stated in her Veto Message, as is o en done in government such as with Congestion Pricing, but will technically add validity to a process that is severely lacking structure and e ectiveness by not having a statutory timeframe for accepting casino license applications nor completion.
“By enacting a de nitive statutory timeline New Yorkers, unions, businesses and the MTA will be able to determine when we will be able witness the bene ts of job creation, new problem gambling programs, revenue opportunities, and innovative entertainment experiences sooner rather than later.”
According to Global Gaming Business magazine, at least 11 uno cial proposals for downstate casino licenses have been made.
“ e proposals include the industry’s heaviest hi ers, from Caesars Entertainment to MGM Resorts to Wynn Resorts to Bally’s Corporation and others,” Frank Legato wrote in GGB in April. “It has been widely reported in the New York and gaming press that two of the licenses are likely to be awarded to the metropolitan area’s two racinos, Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City [in South Ozone Park] which have already each invested more than $1 billion in their properties. at would leave only a sole license to be pursued by the nine suitors.”
Ariola, Broad Channel Residents Donate More Bed Sheets to Vets in Need
By Forum Sta
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) recently worked with the Sons of the American Legion in Broad Channel to deliver nearly 50 more bed sheets to veterans in need. Members of the City Fire Department picked up the sheets at Ariola’s Ozone Park office on Wednesday, Nov. 20, and brought them back to the FDNY headquarters in Brooklyn for distribution.
“I’d like to give a big thank you to Eddie O’Hare and the people of Broad Channel for making this happen,” Ariola said. “All of the sheets in this latest drop-off were collected by Eddie from members of the Broad Channel community. Their generosity for our heroes in need has been incredible. In total, between this drop-off and the one a couple of weeks ago, the people of District 32 have given around 175 sheet sets—and when combined with the additional sheet and comforter sets we received from the FDNY and VFW for our last drop-off, we are at nearly 250 items that have gone to help our veterans. This is truly amazing, and a reminder to our heroes that they will never be forgotten.”
Eddie O’Hare, past commanding o cer of Broad Channel’s Sons of the Legion Post 1404, added, “I’d like to thank the American Legion Post 1404 and the VFW, and all the people in Broad Channel that donated the sheets. We raised over $2,300 in two weeks that will be also going to the veterans home because Joann Ariola started this program for our vets. It’s a shame that our vets don’t have sheets and other things they need, but this will help.”
Photo
Applications for three downstate casino licenses are due by next summer.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola Ariola displays a box of bed sheets and a thank-you card from area veterans.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola
Eddie O’Hare delivering dozens of bed sheets to Councilwoman Ariola’s office.
Man Caught at JFK with Funny Money
By Forum Sta
Earlier this month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport seized a total of $304,500 in counterfeit United States currency from a 26-year-old male arriving from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The U.S. Secret Service was notified and responded to assist in the investigation. The currency closely resembled legal U.S. currency and will undergo extensive forensic examination. With the increased use of online marketplaces creating more in-person
transactions, unscrupulous people could potentially victimize inexperienced sellers or small businesses by using the counterfeit currency during fraudulent purchases or in other financial fraud crimes.
“CBP has a diverse mission, and this counterfeit currency seizure illustrates the vigilance of our CBP officers,” said Francis J. Russo, director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “Criminal groups are targeting the people, businesses, and the security of the United States’ financial well-being by trying to make a quick buck, while negatively impacting our economic vitality. Our officers working with the agents from U. S. Secret Service are there to stop that threat to our nation.”
Taking control of your situation starts with a no cost, no obligation call to the experienced professionals at Faulisi Law.
Stop worrying. Start doing.
According to the Secret Service, counterfeiting currency is a lucrative business and is often used to finance illegal activities, including financial fraud, narcotics smuggling, terrorism, and attacks against our nation’s financial systems.
“The U.S. Secret Service stands on the frontline of protecting our nation’s economy by ensuring the integrity of its currency,” said Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Freaney, New York Field Office. “This counterfeit seizure exemplifies the importance of this work and affirms the need for strong partnerships with agencies like Customs and Border Protection. Together, we will continue to disrupt the kind of criminality that dupes unwitting victims and serves to undermine the nation’s financial well-being.”
File Photo
e counterfeit bills were discovered on Monday, Nov. 25 at JFK Airport. Courtesy
Op-Ed
By Stacey Phe er Amato
Decisions are made by those who show up— and on Election Day (and during the 10 days of early voting) our community, along with New Yorkers from all over our state, and citizens throughout our nation came out to cast their ballot in several races. To all that voted, thank you all for being part of the democratic process and making your voice heard. On the local level, I would like to truly thank the residents of the 23rd Assembly District for voting to re-elect me to the Assembly. It has been an honor to serve you and be your voice in Albany, and I am elated to have the privilege of serving you for another term and ghting for you! I have always said that the chance to serve is an incredible honor, and I am honored to have your con dence and support.
As I return to the Assembly, I thought it might be important to give a brief refresher course on the role. As a member of the Assembly, part of my role is to cra and design a Statewide budget that allocates funding to schools, Veterans, seniors, the disabled, along with salaries for some of our governmental employees, and so much more. I work on nding a way to ensure State programs and State agencies have the resources they need to operate correctly, while bringing certain resources directly to our community. e budget process also includes allocating State funding to the 593 municipalities in New York State, with the largest being New York City, which is used to make up a portion
What’s Next
of their local budgets. When the City, or any city-elected, allocates any funding, a portion of that comes from state funding that my state colleagues and I worked on. e next part of my role as your assemblywoman is to serve as a legislator, which means I create and vote on legislation that impacts the whole State of New York. e role of an assemblymember is to be the voice for our community when voting on bills or policies. For example, when I passed the bill that mandated all insurance companies in New York must provide women with coverage for any post-mastectomy surgery that coverage was extended to every woman in our state: whether you live in Bu alo, Ozone Park, or Great Neck. Finally, as a state elected o cial, my role is to focus and address state-speci c concerns, such as unemployment coverage or issues with the Department of Motor Vehicles—yet as many of you know I proudly take on all issues, even cityspeci c ones. When people call my o ce about local ooding, an issue with City O ce of Administrative Trials and Hearings, a problem with the beach, or anything else related to a New York City agency, my team and I have always put our best foot forward to resolve that problem, and that will never change. To date, my o ce has resolved over 12,000 constituent cases—and we look forward to continuing to get answers to any problems or concerns you may have in the coming years.
Edited for space
Phe er Amato is an assembly member representing the 23rd Assembly District.
Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Phe er Amato
Ariola Secures Funds for Christmas Lights
By Forum Sta
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) secured funding to provide a spark for Ozone Park this holiday season, with lights strung across crosswalks along Cross Bay Boulevard from 149th Avenue to Liberty Avenue. The lights were installed on Saturday, and will be lit nightly throughout the season.
“These lights help bring people together and build a kind of civic pride that turns a neighborhood into a community,” Ariola said. “Through this, and other events like it, we can really foster that community spirit that is sadly disappearing nowadays.”
“As a lifelong resident of Ozone Park, it’s amazing to see this part of Cross Bay
Boulevard decorated for the first time,” said Nick Tomeo. “So uplifting for the community as a whole. Especially all of the kids.”
The Ozone Park Christmas tree lighting will take place on Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. near the Ozone Park sign at Cross Bay Boulevard and 149th Avenue. In addition to the festivities in Ozone Park, Ariola has also allocated funding for lights along Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach, as well as on Beach 116th Street and Beach 129th Street in Rockaway. On top of the lighting, Ariola is hosting several other holiday events throughout the district, including a gingerbread house making event in partnership with the City Parks and Recreation Department at Glendale’s Dry Harbor Playground on Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph
HOLIDAY TRAVEL ADVICE FROM YOUR
It may be easy to overlook the cautious side of going on vacation and at this time of the year when so many people are jetting o –hopefully to some tropical relaxation spot—your local pharmacist can be of great help in assuring you make the most out of your vacation time. Follow these simple tips and travel without complication—especially if you’re travelling out of the country or to a destination with a di erent climate and/or geographical changes, many things can occur and you de nitely want to be prepared for them.
First of all, ask your pharmacist what you’ll need to include in order to have a travel kit that can address the issues that arrive most commonly while on vacation. at list would surely include–sunscreen, painkillers, antiseptic, insect repellent and anti-diarrhea pills. No ma er what, these will be useful.
We’ve spoken to you about skin cancer in this column before, and when travelling, the sun exposure that we are accustomed to on a daily basis, is di erent than that of our travel destinations.
Extra care must be exercised following these general rules is strongly advised in order to protect yourself from the sun:
• Spend time in the shade between 11am & 3 pm.
• Don’t get burned.
• Cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.
PHARMACIST
• Use factor 15 or more sunscreen.
• See your doctor about any changes to moles or any unusual skin growths.
• When taking care of children’s skin-plain and simple-- cover them up and keep them in the shade.
When travelling for a long period of time without moving, you may have concerns about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can occur in your legs and thighs when immobile for extended periods and lead to blood clots. Although instances of DVT are fairly rare, they have the potential to be fatal.
Follow these preventative measures to help alleviate concern:
To exercise your calf and foot muscles in ight
• Every 1/2 hour or so, bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes while seated.
• Avoid pu ing bags under the seat in front of you and recline when possible.
• To increase the blood ow in the legs press the balls of your feet down hard against the oor or foot rest
• Walk up and down the aisle every
Patricia Adams
Publisher, e Forum Newsgroup 718.845.3221 o ce 917.881.9760 by cell
For your family’s prescription needs, please call CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644
Addabbo, NY Cares Lead Coat Drive
State Sen. Joe Addabo, Jr. (DWoodhaven) is partnering with New York Cares for their annual winter coat drive. e drive will run until Dec. 23. Gently used coats can be dropped o Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Addabbo’s district o ce, located at 84-16 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven and at his Middle Village o ce, located at 66-85 73rd Place. Donations will be collected and distributed to local shelters and families in need. For more information contact Addabbo’s o ce at (718) 738-1111. Addabbo Chief of Sta Raimondo Graziano is pictured displaying some of the 200 coats donated to the senator’s o ces during last year’s coat drive.
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola e lights were installed on Saturday in Ozone Park.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola
e lights can be seen along Cross Bay Boulevard om 149th Avenue to Liberty Avenue.
Adams, Hochul Celebrate ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ Vote
By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday celebrated an agreement on the “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal, a zoning plan to enable the creation of a “little more housing in every neighborhood,” and invest $5 billion towards critical infrastructure updates and housing. The announcement comes after the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use’s vote to approve the proposal.
According to the administration, the proposal would allow for the creation of up to 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years and help lower the cost of rent for New Yorkers across the five boroughs.
City of Yes for Housing Opportunity invests $5 billion towards the city’s housing and critical infrastructure updates. Adams is committing $1 billion for housing capital. He is also investing $2 billion in infrastructure projects — to be reflected in upcoming financial plans — that will support investments in sewer and flood infrastructure, street improvements, and open space. Finally, Adams will spend $1 billion in expense funding over 10 years in tenant protection, voucher assistance and combating
source-of-income discrimination, flood monitoring, and neighborhood planning. Additionally, Hochul is committing another $1 billion to housing capital over the next five years, subject to State budget approval.
“Thanks to our shared commitment in building critically-needed housing, we have reached an agreement on a historic plan that could open the doors to a little more housing in every neighborhood in
our city — with no borough, block, or backyard left behind,” Adams said. “If passed, New York City will, once again, serve as a model to the nation on government’s infinite ability to take challenges head-on, set forth a bold agenda, and get the job done. To my partners in the City Council, let’s say ‘yes’ to City of Yes.”
Still, not everyone is convinced that this proposal will work for the Big Apple.
“Time and time again, the residents
of New York City have made their voices clear and rejected the City of Yes,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said. “The majority of the community boards in this city have stated that they are against this proposal, including 12 of the 14 boards in my home borough of Queens. These community boards and the people they represent have an intimate knowledge of their sections of the city, and are well aware that their areas simply cannot support the kind of additional development that the City of Yes would entail. Cramming thousands upon thousands of additional residents into sections of the city that lack the vital medical, transportation, education, and public safety infrastructure to sustain them will only make things even more difficult for New Yorkers in the years to come, and will dramatically impact the quality of life that our citizens have come to expect when living in the Greatest City in the World. In my area and other coastal areas in particular, where flooding is already a grave issue, the influx of so many people can have lethal consequences in the event of a natural disaster. This latest passage is truly lamentable, and I can only hope that my colleagues in Council will listen to their constituents, and derail this legislation in December when it comes for a vote.”
Mayor Swears in New Police Commissioner
By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Eric Adams on Monday swore in Jessica Tisch as the new City Police Commissioner.
Tisch, a 12-year veteran of the NYPD and former commissioner of the City Department of Sanitation and Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, is just the second female to serve as commissioner of the NYPD in its 179year history.
“A police commissioner does more than keep us safe. It is the economic stimulus package that allows businesses to return and communities to thrive and homeowners to feel as though the city belonged to them again. ere is no other role in this city that has such a drastic impact in the quality of life of a city than the police commissioner. at is the title. at is the role. And if it's done correctly and fairly, it can bridge the gap between communities and make people believe again in what's possible,” Adams said. “We know how to keep people safe. But we must turn the corner. Must bring the innovation and the thought processing that Commissioner Tisch brought during her rst time here and what she brought into DSNY. A good manager can manage anywhere. And I push back on anyone that believes she had to wear a police uniform to take the police department to the next direction. She can wear any uni-
form and accomplish the task. She is a well ba le-tested leader.”
In the NYPD, Tisch served as deputy commissioner of information technology and oversaw the NYPD’s 911 operations. She spearheaded e orts to use technology to transform the NYPD's fundamental business processes, including how o cers
are dispatched and respond to 911 calls, take crime reports, investigate, and search for wanted or missing persons. Under her leadership, every o cer was equipped with a smartphone, giving them access to real-time information in the eld, as well as improving their accessibility to the public. Tisch also managed the implementa-
tion of the NYPD’s body-worn camera program and drove additional e orts to improve transparency and public access to the NYPD, modernizing CompStat by prioritizing democratization of data to precincts. She began her public service career in 2008, when she joined the NYPD as a counterterrorism analyst.
“For 12 years, I cherished the special privilege of serving alongside the brave women and men of the New York City Police Department. I’ve seen firsthand the profound nobility of the policing profession, and I was proud to work shoulder-toshoulder with both uniform members and civilians to propel the NYPD into the next century of technological advancement,” Tisch said. “I thank Mayor Adams for the tremendous honor to now lead the NYPD, and I understand the solemnity of this great responsibility. It is now my distinct honor to advance Mayor Adams’ vision of fighting crime and disorder; keeping our great city safe and vibrant; protecting all New Yorkers, including our officers who put their lives on the line every day, so they can live free of fear; continuing to build the most nimble municipal counterterrorism apparatus in the world; and implementing the most forward-thinking law enforcement training and technology. We will do all of this with integrity as we continue to build public confidence and trust in the police.”
Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography O ce
Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch on Monday at One Police Plaza.
Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography O ce e City of Yes Housing Opportunity proposal is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Adams Announces Significant Progress in Public Infrastructure Construction
By Forum Sta
Mayor Eric Adams on Monday released a new report showing signi cant progress in reforming how public infrastructure is constructed across the ve boroughs and celebrated Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signing of legislation last week that enables the City to cut red tape and deliver projects faster and more e ciently for New Yorkers.
e report outlines how the city has fully implemented, or is in the process of implementing, 100 percent of the Capital Process Reform Task Force’s 39 recommendations, made in 2022, to more eciently deliver public infrastructure across the ve boroughs. e legislation Hochul signed on Monday — sponsored by State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) — will build on that progress by expanding the city’s ability to use progressive designbuild and construction-manager build — two contracting models which cut timeconsuming and expensive steps out of the outdated design-bid-build model, resulting in faster, more e cient project delivery.
• Consolidating design and construction procurements that, historically, were required to be separate, per state law, and added years to project timelines. e task force has already begun implementing its limited existing authority to consolidate those two procurements into one for permissible projects through design-build delivery; the legislation signed by Governor Hochul today greatly expands the city’s authority to avoid that archaic procurement process.
Governor Hochul also signed legislation — sponsored by State Sen. Luis Sepulveda (D-Bronx) and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) — which will allow New Yorkers to submit comments on procurements over $100,000 online as opposed to requiring an in-person hearing; this will save an average of 20 days on every applicable project timeline.
e Capital Process Reform Task Force was formed by Mayor Adams in April 2022, and it is led by Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi and Chief Delivery O cer Alison Landry. It is comprised of a group of leaders representing the construction industry, labor, and minority- and women-owned business enterprises and tasked with undertaking a top-down review of the city’s capital process and recommending reforms, from
project initiation to closeout. e reforms recommended by the task force and implemented by the city are improving scoping and planning, cu ing down project initiation time, removing redundant reviews from procurement, increasing M/WBE participation, managing projects more effectively, cu ing down on change orders, standardizing and streamlining invoicing and payment, improving the delivery of projects for libraries and cultural institutions, and supporting implementation of a citywide capital project tracker.
Speci c reforms include:
• Enabling electronic bidding, modernizing the bidding process towards a single digital system to submit and track construction bids that, historically, were required to submit paper bids — a resourceintensive and error-prone process. e task force championed a 2023 law that enables electronic bidding.
• Identifying obsolete and con icting requirements related to invoicing and payment processes that, historically, required city agencies to have di erent processes, making it di cult for contractors that work across agencies. e changes by city capital agencies are being made based on the task force’s recommendation, and these agencies are now engaging with each other and industry stakeholders to share those updates before a new, uni ed process formally launches next year.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography O ce
New contracting tools will allow the City to cut red tape and advance projects faster.
Kew Gardens Hills Couple Ran $2M Stolen Merchandise Ring out of Home: DA
By Forum Sta
Queens District A orney Melinda Katz and Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced that a Kew Gardens Hills married couple, as well as three co-defendants, have been charged with operating a large-scale retail the and fencing operation.
Christopher Guzman, 35, Yvelisse Guzman Batista, 29, and co-defendants Rosa Rodriguez Santana, 59, all of Kew Gardens Hills; and Johanny Almonte Reyes, 33, of Fresh Meadows, were arraigned on charges of criminal possession of stolen property in the rst degree, four counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the second degree, conspiracy in the fourth degree, three counts of attempted criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and four counts of fostering the sale of stolen goods. Guzman is additionally charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Co-defendant Ti any Leon Fuentes, 29, of Ozone Park, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the rst degree, four counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree, conspiracy in the fourth degree, three counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and petit larceny.
According to the investigation, DA Katz said, that according to the charges and investigation, Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista purchased large quantities of stolen retail cosmetic goods, beauty products, perfume, designer clothing and accessories from numerous the crews that stole from retailers up and down the East Coast. ey also organized the large-scale the of merchandise directly from manufactures before it was distributed to retail outlets. Co-defendants Rosa Rodriguez Santana, who is Yvelisse Guzman Batista’s mother, Johanny Almonte Reyes and Tiffany Leon Fuentes assisted in the operation.
e defendants received approximately $50,000 worth of stolen goods per week for which they paid the the crews
“New
approximately 10 to 15 percent of retail value. e goods were then catalogued and sold in New York through online advertisements as well as from a brick-and-mortar boutique called Yvelisse Fashion in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
An undercover operative also allegedly made a controlled purchase of merchandise from the Guzmans a er contacting them through a social media page. e operative was directed to the Guzmans’ residence and then sent to the basement, which was set up as a retail store with shelves of merchandise. Among the items purchased by the undercover operative was perfume, which had been sold to the couple by the rst undercover operatives for
$20. e operative bought the perfume for $120, about two-thirds of its retail value.
Surveillance operations, combined with information provided by retail partners, revealed at least one defendant, Ti any Leon Fuentes, was observed on video stealing from retail establishments and then arriving at the alleged fencing location in Fresh Meadows to sell those stolen goods to the Guzmans with the assistance of Santana and Reyes. e operation is estimated to have taken in $2 million in sales two years.
If convicted of the top charge, the defendants face up to 8 1/3 years to 25 years in prison.
Former City Cop Convicted of Sexual Offenses Involving Minor Boys
By Forum Sta
Christopher Terranova, a former City police o cer, was found guilty on Friday by a federal jury in Brooklyn on all six counts of a superseding indictment charging him with sexually exploiting, a empting to sexually exploit and enticing and coercing three 15-year-old boys and a 12-year-old boy, according to prosecutors. Terranova led for retirement in September 2023 while under suspension from NYPD.
Between approximately December 2019 and May 2023, Terranova used social media to engage in sexually explicit conversations with underage boys and a empt to entice them into taking sexually explicit photographs of themselves and sharing them with the defendant. Terranova used popular social media applications to message and gain the trust of underage boys whom he encountered socially, online or through his job as a police o cer.
For example, between March 2023 and May 2023, Terranova targeted a boy who was the victim of a robbery and encountered the defendant at the 121st Precinct on Staten Island when he reported the crime. Terranova obtained the boy’s cellphone number from the robbery complaint in an NYPD database and messaged him: “Hey…it’s Chris Terranova the cop you met at the 121 that day with mom, i just wanted to reach out to see if you were doing ok after the incident, I hate seeing these
things happen to good Guys like yourself.” In subsequent messages, Terranova inquired about the investigation, referred to his role as a police officer and asked the boy if he had any interest in the police department or its youth programs. Terranova also suggested, “If [sic] here too if you ever want to talk[.] I been through a lot myself over
the years so just know that little bro.” The defendant then asked the boy to add him on “snap” or “the gram,” referring to Snapchat and Instagram. On Snapchat, Terranova began asking the boy sexually explicit questions, sent the boy a photograph of Terranova’s genitals and asked for a sexually explicit photograph of the boy. The boy informed his mother about the inappropriate messages and she reported the matter to police.
Terranova also engaged in hands-on sex acts with two of his minor victims. While giving an acquaintance’s son a ride home from a birthday party, Terranova brought the boy to a secluded location where he directed the victim to engage in sex acts with him.
e defendant met another victim, who lived in Texas, on social media. Terranova traveled to Texas at least 16 times to visit the boy and purchased a house in the boy’s neighborhood. In one message, Terranova stated: “You being with me. . . and making love to me is more than a sign of everything happens for a reason.” One reason the boy trusted Terranova was because the defendant had told him he was a police o cer.
Terranova also met a 12-year-old victim locally while the defendant was on-duty. Terranova messaged the boy later on Snapchat and began asking him sexually explicit questions and solicited sexually explicit photos.
When sentenced, Terranova faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison.
Photo Courtesy of Don Pollard/O ce of the Governor
Yorkers are sick and tired of the retail the that has been plaguing our businesses and communities,” Gov. Hochul said.
Photo Courtesy of the U.S. A orney’s O ce for the Eastern District of NY Christopher Terranova
Jamaica Man Charged with Defrauding Federal Disaster Relief Program of More than $240K
By Forum Sta
Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced that a Jamaica man has been charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic relief funds intended to help workers and small business owners su ering hardship due to COVID-19.
Humayun Kabir, 53, was arraigned ursday night on a nine-count criminal complaint charging him with grand larceny in the second degree, three counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the second degree, two counts of grand larceny in the third degree and three counts of falsifying business records in the rst degree.
According to the charges and investigation, Kabir submi ed an application to the U.S. Small Business Administration in June 2020 for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan and stated that he worked in the transportation industry. He was then approved for a loan in the amount of $50,100 and received the funds via electronic deposit to his personal account.
In March 2021, Kabir submi ed an application to the SBA for the Paycheck Protection Program loan and stated that he was experiencing hardship due to loss of work as an Uber driver. He was then approved for a loan in the amount of $20,833
and withdrew the funds in cash through three separate transactions at his local bank branch in Jamaica.
In May 2021, Kabir submi ed an application to the SBA for an additional PPP loan. He was then approved for a loan in the amount of $20,833 and the funds were deposited into his personal account.
In August 2021, the principal of Kabir’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan was in-
creased by $155,200, from $50,100 provided in June 2020 to $205,300.
For each of the loans provided, Kabir certified that the funds would be used solely to alleviate economic injury sustained during a declared disaster and support the business operations of the applicant.
In March 2023, while acting on a tip from a fraud monitoring service, members
of the State Department of Financial Services launched an investigation into the defendant’s loan disbursement.
An extensive review of bank records showed that Kabir allegedly transferred $246,966 in loan funds he received from SBA to purchase three residential properties in Niagara Falls. e case was referred to the District A orney’s O ce in January 2024 for further investigation and enforcement.
Upon learning of the charges pending against him, Kabir surrendered to the 103rd Precinct on ursday, Nov. 21. “ e COVID-19 pandemic in icted profound challenges on millions of workers and small business owners who were unable to sustain their livelihoods. e defendant is accused of exploiting essential lifeline programs provided by our federal government for his own personal gain,” Katz said. “My o ce will aggressively prosecute people who defraud our public service programs. I thank our partners at Homeland Security Investigations New York, the New York State Department of Financial Services and the NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force for helping us to bring the defendant to justice.”
If convicted of the top count, Kabir faces a potential maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Bellerose Former Cop Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud
By Michael V. Cusenza
Last Wednesday, in federal court in Brooklyn, former City police o cer Jason Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to his role as the Chief Operating O cer of Technical Trading Team, LLC, according to prosecutors.
According to the indictment, Rodriguez, 38, of Bellerose, founded Technical Trading Team in April 2020. Rodriguez, who served as Chief Operating O cer, pitched the fund as focused on foreign exchange (forex) investment, and represented that he was in charge of all trading. Rodriguez promised investors that Technical Trading Team would have a “loss reserve account” that could be used to repay investors if the company lost money trading; that Rodriguez would never risk more than 1 percent of assets under management on any single trade; and that he would not hold positions open overnight. Each of these promises was meant to assure investors that their investments would be safe. However, Rodriguez and Technical Trading Team broke all of these promises, and as Rodriguez lost more and more money in the forex markets, he used new investor money to pay older investors the promised investment returns. In total, between April 2020 and September 2022, Rodriguez solicited approximately $4.8 million in investor funds that were wired to accounts he controlled; to date, approximately $3.5 million of those funds have not been paid back to the investors.
In October 2023, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission led a civil complaint in against Technical Trading Team, LLC, its Chief Executive O cer Edwin Carrion, and Rodriguez, charging them with fraudulently soliciting over $5 million for participation in a forex commodity pool scheme. e complaint charged T, Carrion, and Rodriguez, directly and/or derivatively, with
fraud in connection with retail forex transactions, fraud in connection with being a commodity pool operator and associated persons of a CPO, and failure to register as a CPO and as APs of a CPO.
e complaint alleged the defendants made false and misleading statements regarding their investment track record and the safety of investing in the T pool to participants and potential participants. A er losing over $3 million by trading retail forex on a leveraged basis, the defendants falsely assured pool participants they could recoup the losses using arti cial intelligence-based trading algorithms.
Prior to founding Technical Trading Team, Rodriguez served as an NYPD o cer for approximately seven years. During the solicitation process, Rodriguez told prospective Technical Trading Team investors that he had quit
the NYPD because he had become so successful at forex trading. e Technical Trading Team presentation similarly represented that Rodriguez’s “zealous ambition for trading took precedence resulting in the end of his law enforcement career.” However, Rodriguez failed to disclose that he resigned from the NYPD a er pleading guilty to a misdemeanor crime and incurring several disciplinary infractions.
“ e defendant deceived retail investors into investing with his company based on false promises that he would invest their money in accordance with clear guardrails and that he had le the NYPD because of his success as a trader. In reality, there were no guardrails, he resigned from the NYPD in disgrace, and he lost most of the money, in icting substantial harm on his victims,” Brooklyn U.S. A orney Breon Peace said.
File Photo
DA Katz said Kabir “is accused of exploiting essential lifeline programs provided by our federal government for his own personal gain.”
Notice of formation of 130 BEACH 137 LLC Articles of Organization led with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 2/27/2024. O ce located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to:THE LLC, 140 BEACH 137TH STREET, BELLE HARBOR, NY, 11694, USA. PURPOSE: ANY LAWFUL ACTIVITY.
J & K ASTORIA REALTY, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/03/00. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Vasiliki Troianos, P.O. Box 570136, Whitestone, NY 11357. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
OMNI JADE LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/21/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
RI MASON GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/27/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: RI MASON GROUP LLC
138-12 NORTHERN BLVD APT 3B, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
31-59 30TH STREET LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/27/2024. Ofce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZAAR FUNDING CORP., 45-11 LI LE NECK PKWY, LI LE NECK, NY, 11362, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Nyngan Holdings LLC, Arts of Org led with SSNY on 10/19/24. O . Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: e LLC, 136-21 Roosevelt Ave Ste 310, Flushing N 11354. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.
JEKKI ASSOCIATES LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/23/2024. Ofce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Legal Notices
CORE88 LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/16/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
J & K ASTORIA REALTY, LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 03/03/00. O ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Vasiliki Troianos, P.O. Box 570136, Whitestone, NY 11357. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
CHESS INTELLIGENCE LLC
Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/04/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
GENE TIONAL SOLES, LLC
Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 05/24/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 156-15 86TH STREET, HOWARD BEACH, NY, 11414, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
JUST CALL ME KIKI LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/16/2024. Ofce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
OPTIMUS FOOD MANAGEMENT
LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/01/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Notice of Formation of C&L Transit Builders, LLC. Arts. of Org. led with NY Dept. of State: 10/28/24. O ce location: Queens County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 54-08 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101, principal business address. Purpose: all lawful purposes.
Notice of Formation of 29-10 Thomson Avenue LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 7/17/24. Office location: Queens County. Princ. bus. addr.: 31-10 Thomson Ave., Rm. E409E, LI City, NY 11101. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 122 E. 42nd St., 18th Fl., NY, NY 10168, regd. agent upon whom process may be served. Purpose: any lawful activity.
LIFE IS A PARTY LLC Arts of Org. filed SSNY 11/20/2024 Queens Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose
SIGNATURE LIMO LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/11//2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
A UNING DIGITAL LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 09/16/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 55 REID AVE, BREEZY POINT, NY, 11697, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Notice of Formation of Pasos Rosados LLC Article of Organization led with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 09/25/24. O ce in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Ming Lou E. Rosado at 169-19 81st Avenue, Jamaica, NY, 11432, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
LEGACY DELIVERY SERVICE LLC Arts of Org. led SSNY 11/13/2024 Queens Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose
PARKER TAXI LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/07/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Stavros Gounaris, 43-23 35th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Hatchio LLC Arts of Org. led SSNY 09/11/2024 Queens Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Xiaoyue Hong 4321 161st St, Flushing, NY 11358 General Purpose
Notice of Formation of LaundryBee Gates LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/15/24. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: e LLC, 22111 Kingsbury Ave, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364, laundrybeeinc@gmail.com. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Formation of YOUR FAMILY HANDYMAN LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/27/24. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Formation of AZG RENOVATIONS LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/07/24. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: ANGEL I AZOGUE, 33-41 89TH ST. Apt 2 , Jackson heights, NY, 11372, USA. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Formation of COLORMETOTS PUBLISHING LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/25/24. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
BEAUTIFUL 1 FAMILY HOME IN THE HEART OF FOREST HILLS. SEMI-DETACHED WITH PRIVATE DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE. PROPERTY SIZE IS 20X83. THIS HOME FEATURES A FULL BASEMENT, FIRST FLOOR OVER SIZED LIVING ROOM, FORMAL DINING ROOM AND EIK.
3 FAMILY HOME! FEATURES 3 APARTMENTSA 3 BEDROOM & TWO 1 BEDROOMS. GREAT CONDITION! GREAT LOCATION!
AND A BACKYARD PERFECT FOR OUTDOOR LIVING. MOVE-IN READY AND WAITING FOR ITS NEW OWNERS TO CALL IT HOME!
STEP INTO THIS BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED 2-BEDROOM, 1-BATH COOP THAT'S MOVE-IN READY AND DESIGNED FOR COMFORT. IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, THIS HOME OFFERS A WARM AND INVITING ATMOSPHERE PERFECT FOR ANY LIFESTYLE. CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CLOSE TO SHOPPING, DINING, TRANSPORTATION, AND MORE, YOU'LL ENJOY EASY ACCESS TO EVERYTHING YOU NEED. DON'T MISS THE CHANCE TO MAKE THIS WONDERFUL SPACE YOUR OWN!
SPACIOUS AND STYLISH IN THE HEART OF LINDENWOOD! THIS BEAUTIFULLY CONVERTED 2-BEDROOM COOP, ORIGINALLY A 3BEDROOM, BOASTS A BRAND-NEW KITCHEN AND BATH, PERFECT FOR MODERN LIVING. ENJOY A BRIGHT DINING AREA, CUSTOM CLOSETS FOR AMPLE STORAGE, AND THE CONVENIENCE OF AN INUNIT WASHER AND DRYER. A PERFECT BLEND OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY-THIS HOME IS READY TO IMPRESS!
