BENSONHURST'S PREMIER NEWS BLOG

Source: wallyg via Flickr

Tomorrow, the board of the MTA will cast their votes on raising tolls on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to a whopping $15 – and local pols are fuming.

State Senator Marty Golden, Congressman Michael Grimm and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis issued a joint statement to the board and its chairman, Joe Lhota, urging them to kill the proposal and grant Brooklynites and Staten Islanders a measure of economic relief.

The statement follows a letter sent by the trio on December 13. In it, they wrote:

This proposal will hit the pockets of all New Yorkers who traverse the Verrazano Bridge for the purposes of work, shopping, medical care, family visits, and more. It is just unacceptable that the most expensive bridge in the world, already at $13, has the potential to become more expensive.

… In these difficult economic times, the last thing New Yorkers need is the burden of additional travel expenses. The proposal now before the MTA will further strain the budgets of millions of New York’s families and cause a loss of revenue for countless businesses. This proposal is not only misguided, it is something New Yorkers are not willing to accept.

The current proposal calls for raising the toll $2, from $13 to $15. The increase would be $1.06 for those with E-Z Pass.

The three Republican legislators are not alone. Last month, Democratic Councilman Vincent Gentile stood before the board at its November 28 hearing and blasted the plan. He also demanded that the MTA extend the discount they give to Staten Island residents to Brooklyn residents as well.

Pre-Sandy seawall. Source: Retrofresh! via Flickr

The seawall that lines the greenway path along the Belt Parkway was badly damaged during the storm. For weeks, residents and local leaders have asking the federal government to fix it.

Currently, police tape is the only thing marking the hazardous areas and thus far, dates for repairs have not been announced.

Congressman Michael Grimm wants FEMA to repair the wall immediately. He sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg “urging them to request a FEMA mission assignment to repair the damaged Brooklyn seawall,” according a release from Grimm’s office.

The money may be acquired through FEMA funding, however, the City and State must be the ones to make the request, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.

“The flooding of the Belt Parkway is not a new issue, but one that has become increasingly worse with recent storms,” said Grimm. “Our crumbling seawall took another severe beating from Sandy, and without repairs, the flooding brought on by another storm could be detrimental to the Brooklyn community and the security of New York City. That is why I am urging the City and the State to request a FEMA mission assignment that would provide the Army Corps of Engineers with necessary resources to begin repairs without delay.”

Senator Marty Golden has also been in support of emergency repairs along the wall. He penned a letter to the U.S. Corps of Engineers early in November asking that they assess and fix the wall quickly.

Prior to the storm your office had been working with the city to replace a 2.5 mile section of the seawall running from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Bay Parkway. The newly damaged section is entirely contained within the scope of the original project. Of course now the need to expedite the repair of the heavily damaged section is a high priority.

…It is my hope that in addition to an emergency fix for part of the seawall, the Army Corps will move forward with the replacement of the entire 2.5 mile section with a new seawall. In the long term this would be a better fix in protecting the adjourning highway and community as well as being a more efficient way of utilizing limited funds.

• Democratic State Senator Diane Savino held onto her seat against Republican Lisa Grey in the 23 District, with 75.7 percent to 24.3 percent of the vote.
• In District 11, Republican Michael Grimm beat out Democrat Mark Murphy, 52.6 percent to 46.4 percent.
• In District 22, State Senator Marty Golden wins over Demorat Andrew Gounardes, 58.1 percent to 41.9 percent.
• Democrat Jerrold Nadler held onto his seat in District 10 against Republican Michael Chan, with 80 percent to 20 percent of the vote.

Update (9:52 a.m.):

• District 47′s Councilman William Colton beat Republican James Rippa, with 74.2 percent of the vote.
• Peter Abbate was uncontested and held his seat in the 49th District.

Source: Slarre via Wikimedia Commons

Congressman Michael Grimm invites all retired members of the NYPD or FDNY to have a square at L & B Spumoni Gardens (2725 86th Street) with Geraldo Rivera for an NYPD and FDNY Appreciation Event from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Monday, October 15.

Here’s what Grimm wrote on his Facebook page

If you are a current or retired member of the NYPD or FDNY, please join me and special guest Geraldo Rivera for pizza and refreshments at an NYPD and FDNY Appreciation Event. Please RSVP on Facebook or via email to Liam.A.McCabe@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Family is welcome to join in the fun as we honor those brave individuals who put on a uniform each and every day to keep us safe from harm. I hope you’ll share this invite and help spread the word.

From the offices of Congressman Michael Grimm:

BROOKLYN, NY – Today, Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R,C-Brooklyn/S.I.) and State Senator Marty Golden (R,C,I – Brooklyn) sent a letter to Community Board 10 Chairwoman Joanne Seminara in support of naming the northeast corner of 5th Avenue and 85th Street “Firefighter Michael G. Behette 9/11 Memorial Way.”  Michael Behette was a Dyker Heights resident and firefighter who died last month from a 9/11-related cancer. His family has requested the street naming in his honor, and Rep. Grimm and Senator Golden are lending their full support.

“Michael Behette was a true American hero who bravely rushed into a dust cloud of danger when others ran away,” said Rep. Grimm. “His selfless love for our city, for others, and for his profession as NYC fire fighter ultimately cost him his life, and that should never be forgotten. It is with great privilege that I join Senator Golden in support of naming this memorial after our hometown hero, Michael Behette, so that we will never forget his inspiring story or the sacrifices he made on our behalf,” said Rep. Grimm.

“Firefighter Michael Behette was an example to us all.  His dedication to the recovery efforts is a reminder of the service and sacrifice of our bravest to help move our city forward after we were attacked.  Michael gave everything for his city, state, and nation, and today I join with Congressman Grimm in calling for our city to remember and honor his ultimate sacrifice by this memorial on 85th Street.  My thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family, and I call on all to remember that while all gave some in those days and months, some, like Michael, gave all,” said Senator Golden.

Michael Behette was assigned to Ladder 172 in Bensonhurst. When the towers were hit, Behette was on vacation in Florida. Unable to get a flight home, he drove straight to Ground Zero where he worked for the next 31 days in rescue and recovery operations.  He stayed on site for six more months. He was diagnosed in 2011 and passed on September 17th, 2012 from lung cancer, which is believed to have been caused from exposure to the toxins at the WTC site.

Rep. Grimm and his staff have met with members of the Behette family who brought the matter to their attention, as well as helped the family obtain the application for the street naming.  Rep. Grimm and Senator Golden have written the attached letter of support to be submitted today with the family’s application.

The Great Bay Ridge Debate takes place next Tuesday, September 25, at 7:3o p.m. The debate is a chance to hear local pols go at it before the elections.

Xaverian High School at 7100 Shore Road will host the war of words, and audience are encouraged to attend.

The only unfortunate note to this civic event is that it falls on the eve of Yom Kippur.

Update (9/22/12 3:39 p.m.): Brian Hedden of Bay Ridge blog Bay Ridge Odyssey has informed us that the debate has been cancelled to avoid the Yom Kippur date conflict. No date is set yet for another debate.

Source: FArepublicans via Flickr

Congressman Michael Grimm’s financial standing continues to come under scrutiny. After the allegations of his dealings with controversial Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto came to light and his fundraiser Ofer Biton’s arrest for immigration fraud, Grimm has to deal with another financial scandal. This time, the accusations state that Grimm accepted money from several individuals involved in the porn industry.

Last week, the Associated Press reported and TPMMuckracker summarized the following:

One of the rabbi’s closest aides, Benzion Suky, owned a company that distributed porn videos and has settled lawsuits by adult film studios who accused him of selling bootlegged DVDs, according to court records. Suky and his wife gave a combined $9,600 to Grimm’s 2010 campaign and a real estate partnership that lists Suky as its managing member gave $4,800, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Another big donor was Rafi Maman, proprietor of companies in North Bergen, N.J., that distribute adult films and sex toys. He also has settled lawsuits accusing him of bootlegging, including two which also named Suky as a defendant. Maman, his wife and a real estate partnership that he listed as his employer gave $19,200 to Grimm’s campaign. That total includes $7,200 in individual contributions from Maman, or $2,400 more than is allowed by law.

A third Grimm contributor, Eli Halali, is listed in business records as the agent of another company that distributed pornographic movies. His name also appears on at least one such video, “Blonde & Beautiful Vol. 1,” as the keeper of records verifying that the film’s performers were over age 18. He gave $4,800. Two apparent relatives, Bluria Halali and Jaclyn Halali, each contributed $4,800.

The FBI has been looking at Grimm’s fundraising since at least January, when a New York Times story spotlighted the role that an Israeli named Ofer Biton, an aide to Pinto, played in Grimm’s campaign. Members of Pinto’s congregation told the Times that either Grimm or Biton said they could find ways to accept donations that surpassed legal limits or came from foreigners. Several people who worked on Grimm’s campaign have been questioned by the FBI, according to reports, and just a few weeks ago TPM reported that the bureau was looking into the Staten Island lawmaker’s failure to file paperwork related to an overseas trip to Cyprus. Biton, meanwhile, was arrested by the FBI last month, in a case apparently unrelated to his fundraising efforts for Grimm, for lying on immigration documents.

Grimm, a former FBI agent, has acknowledged receiving between $250,000 to $300,000 from Pinto’s supporters but has denied knowledge of any wrongdoing.

Since Biton’s legal troubles emerged, his lawyer has come forward to say that his arrest is the direct result of his link to Grimm and the investigation into campaign finances.

“This case is politically motivated,” said lawyer John Meringolo, to the New York Times.

Meringolo also stated that he believes Grimm has not done anything wrong either, “They say he [Biton] has ties to Michael Grimm. I haven’t seen any evidence whatsoever of wrongdoing of Michael Grimm.”

United States attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York Robert spokesperson Nardoza, stated that there is nothing political about it.

“The case,” he said, “is motivated by the evidence.”

Biton has not been charged with money laundering thus far, but immigration fraud. As for Grimm, his connection to Biton’s current case has not been confirmed and his links to the porno industry have not come out as a legal issue thus far.

Source: Mark Murphy/ Jon Reznick Photography

From the offices of Mark Murphy:

Today Democrat Mark Murphy, who is challenging Michael Grimm in the NY-11 Congressional race, called for passage of The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012, federal legislation that would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.80 over the next three years. Murphy connected his support for this legislation to the needs of working men and women who are struggling to survive in this tough economy. He also urged Michael Grimm to step up and join the effort to pass this common-sense legislation.

“On Labor Day, it’s important to honor the hard work of middle class families. But today we also need to show our commitment to strengthening and expanding the middle class, especially at a time when so many households are barely getting by. The reality is that far too many people aren’t earning enough to provide for themselves and their families. Raising the federal minimum wage is the best way to help working men and women keep pace with the rising costs of living. This much-needed wage boost will enable a greater number of families to make ends meet. They will spend the extra income at local businesses, which will boost demand for goods and services, and help create more jobs over time,” Murphy said.

Economically and morally, this is the right thing to do. We all benefit from a higher federal minimum wage. Members of Congress should raise the minimum wage as soon as they return to Washington. Congressman Grimm has been silent on this legislation, even though community organizations and working people in the district have urged him to support it. Grimm needs to do what is right and listen to the concerns of his constituents.”

Source: house.gov

Ofer Biton, a top fundraiser for Congressman Michael Grimm has been arrested by the FBI. He stands accused of of lying on his immigration documents.

The New York Times reports:

According to the complaint, Mr. Biton deceived the government in June 2010 about the source of $500,000 that he claimed to have put into a new business that was to make him eligible for a permanent visa.

Immigrants who can document that they have invested significant amounts of capital in the United States and have created jobs for Americans are often eligible for a permanent visa for themselves and their families. But under the rules, the seed money for the business has to have been obtained honestly.

In his papers, Mr. Biton claimed much of the money for his business came from a loan from a family friend.

In challenging that account, the complaint strongly hints that the money was raised through more coercive means, like extortion.

In the past, Biton was entrenched in allegations of embezzlement stemming from his work with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto. Biton had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Grimm from members of Pinto’s congregation.

Prosecutor Anthony Capozzolo filed the charges against Biton. He has also been leading a probe of allegations against Congressman Grimm. The allegations state that he accepted illegal campaign contributions.

Though the complaint against Biton makes no mention of Grimm’s involvement, the link between the two has Democrat Mark Murphy, who is running to replace Michael Grimm in Congress, talking.

Later today, Murphy will hold a press conference, calling on Grimm to return $500,000 in campaign donations raised by Biton.

In his release, Murphy writes that Biton’s arrest was, “the first major arrest to happen amid the widening federal probe of Grimm’s fundraising activities.”

Source: house.gov

Congressman Michael Grimm accounted for a trip to Israel on his Congressional financial disclosure filing in May, but did not file a required report about a subsequent visit to Cyprus, according to the New York Times.

But in June, Grimm updated the paperwork to reflect the Cyprus trip – just a day after the lobbyist who paid for Grimm’s visit was arrested on federal corruption charges.

Records show that in June, Grimm modified his financial disclosure to include his trip to Cyprus (pdf). Whether it was intentional or a mere coincidence, Grimm made this change one day after Peter Papanicolaou, the president of the Cyprus Federation of America and the individual who funded Grimm’s trip, was arrested on federal corruption charges, said the Times.

Papanicolaou was charged with providing an official of the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development with a free trip to Greece in order to obtain city contracts for his construction company in Brooklyn.

William McGinley, Grimm’s attorney, said that the filing had nothing to do with Papanicolaou’s arrest. He said Grimm filed the report when he did because the House Ethics Committee informed him that the Cyprus trip was not reported in his files just five days earlier.

Grimm’s trip was not a complete secret. Grimm submitted information about it to the Ethics Committee before booking it, and the committee approved it.

The Times also notes that, about a month before the Cyprus trip, a news release from Grimm’s office stated that he would co-sponsor a bill to assist American owners of property in “Turkish-Occupied Cyprus” seek restitution for the “illegal use and occupation of their property.” The news release said Grimm would travel to Cyprus in August 2011.

It remains unclear whether the timing of the release his report is connected to Papanicolaou’s arrest, though Grimm’s camp insists it’s just coincidence.

Grimm remains under intense scrutiny, as authorities investigate allegations of fundraising improprieties during his 2010 campaign.