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“Pharma Bro” Gets 7 Years in a Big Loss for Ben Brafman

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“Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli and his criminal defense attorney Benjamin Brafman in Brooklyn Federal Court

Despite the appeals of criminal defense attorney Benjamin Brafman for a lighter sentence, “pharma bro” Martin Shkreli’ is going to prison for seven years.

“Specifically, he is a kind, caring and generous person who uses his time and effort to help those in need. If not warehoused in prison, Martin could literally save lives”, Brafman wrote in a letter to Brooklyn federal court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto in a plea for a lighter sentence for the fraudster Shkreli.

“He is not evil or any of the other horrible things people have seen fit to say about him over the last several years…However, our society, our culture, and our judicial system can accommodate even Martin Shkreli”, Brafman continued in his unavailing petition.

Shkreli was convicted of defrauding a group of investors in two hedge funds he controlled by having claimed, among other things, that the funds were delivering healthy returns at a time when they were actually losing money, CNBC reported.

Shkreli gained infamous notoriety in 2015 when as CEO of Turing, he raised the price of its anti-parasite drug Daraprim by more than 5,000 percent, from $13.50 per pill to $750.

Recently, Judge Kiyo Matsumoto ruled that Shkreli’s criminal activity resulted in a loss of $10.4 million, which essentially dashed the hopes of a lighter sentence. Federal guidelines call for a higher sentence based on how much the losses for the defrauded victim were , The Jewish Voice previously reported.

He also was convicted of manipulating shares in another drug company he later founded, Retrophin, whose stock and cash he also used to repay swindled investors in his hedge funds, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare, CNBC reported.

Brafman, also wrote to Matsumoto that the $7.3 million forfeiture judgment against him on top of a maximum sentence of 15 years was “far too excessive a punishment, The NY Post reported.

In addition to 7 years in prison and the large asset forfeiture, Matsumbo ruled that Shkreli must undergo mental health treatment and pay an additional $750,000 fine.

As the judge handed down the sentence, the cocky 34-year hedge fund manager, broke into tears telling the packed courtroom and judge, “The only person to blame for me being here today is me”, The NY Post reported.

Shkreli’s lawyer Benjamin Brafman was also recently retained by Harvey Weinstein and recently was reported as saying “I think Harvey Weinstein is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever represented”, in an interview with The Sunday Times U.K.

By Austin Myers

 

Council Speaker Supports Bill to Create Independent Commission to Review NYC Charter

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Council speaker Corey Johnson is supporting a bill that would create an independent commission to review the City Charter

Council speaker Corey Johnson is supporting a bill that would create an independent commission to review the City Charter. The proposed examination will parallel but check the commission proposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio last month. The Mayor had announced, in his State of the City address, that he planned to appoint a charter review commission to seek out improvements to campaign finance laws, find ways to make elections more democratic, and to encourage stronger voter turnout. City lawmakers thought it was a good idea to examine the City Charter but were skeptical about having the job done by the Mayor. So now, two reviews of the city charter are in the works. One by the independent minded City Council, and one by the Mayor’s office.

“This is really about looking at the broad structure and checks and balances in our City Charter,” said Mr. Johnson, on Friday. He said that he would be glad to consolidate the two reviews, if the mayor would agree to join forces to complete the task in unison. “This isn’t personal against the mayor,” Mr. Johnson continued. “We would love to do it together with him.”

As reported by the NY Times, Johnson’s proposed bill would call upon the council to elect four members to the review commission, and the Mayor to elect another four. The borough presidents, the public advocate and the comptroller would each appoint one additional member. By contrast, de Blasio’s review committee members would all be appointed by the mayor, and according to mayoral spokesman Eric F. Phillips the members will soon be named. The mayor’s commission would propose charter changes that voters can deliberate on in November. The Council’s commission would propose its findings on the ballot the following year.

The committees could address balance of power between the mayor and the City Council, increased transparency in budgeting, city’s land use approval process, and a wide array of topics including Fair Share of Homeless Shelter placement. The last changes made to the Charter were proposed 30 years ago in 1989, and it was originally public advocate, Letitia James, and Manhattan borough president Gale A. Brewer who proposed a review of the charter.

“The mayor’s talked about what he wants his commission to look at before it’s been constituted, and we want a commission to go in with an open mind and look at the broad structure of city government,” said Mr. Johnson.

By: Hellen Zaboulani

 

 

Pilot is Lone Survivor in Deadly NYC Private Helicopter Crash

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The 33-year-old-pilot, Richard Vance, was the sole survivor, as reported by CNN. The Liberty Helicopters chopper was rented out for a photo shoot. All the passengers were between the ages of 26 and 34 years old, as per the NY Police Department

A tragic helicopter crash killed five passengers on board a chartered private helicopter in NYC. On Sunday March 11th at approximately 7 PM, a Eurocopter AS350 helicopter fell into the East River near 23rd street by Roosevelt Island. The 33-year-old-pilot, Richard Vance, was the sole survivor, as reported by CNN. The Liberty Helicopters chopper was rented out for a photo shoot. All the passengers were between the ages of 26 and 34 years old, as per the NY Police Department. The victims have been identified as: Daniel Thompson, 34; Carla Vallejos Blanco, 29; Tristian Hill, 29; Brian McDaniel, 26; and Trevor Cadigan, 26. Each of them had a life full of promise and potential. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims’ family and friends.

The pilot of the chopper gave a Mayday call to LaGuardia Airport reporting engine failure. When emergency workers arrived at the site, the helicopter was upside down and submerged in the river. A barge with a crane was required to pull the chopper out of the water. “One of the most difficult parts of the rescue were that five people were tightly harnessed,” said Daniel Nigro, Commissioner of NY Fire Department. “People had to be cut out.” The pilot was able to save himself. Early reports say a strap from a passenger’s safety harness or from a luggage may have inadvertently wrapped around a fuel shut-off lever, resulting in an engine failure which led to the calamity.

Liberty Helicopters boasts itself as “the largest and most experienced helicopter sightseeing and charter service in New York City.” As per their website, the company has “a fleet of 10 state-of-the-art Airbus helicopters (formerly American Eurocopter),” and more than 30 years of experience. However, this is the company’s third crash since 2007. In August 2009, nine people were killed when a helicopter collided into another small private plane. In July 2007, a Liberty sightseeing chopper experienced a rotor blade separation and crashed into the Hudson River. Thankfully in that case, the seven passengers and pilot all were saved thanks to the use of inflatable life vests, and pop-out floats.

NY Senator Chuck Schumer was quick to punish Liberty Helicopters. He called on the FAA to suspend Liberty Helicopters’ FAA operating certificate, until the cause for the crash has been determined. “Three (crashes) is too many,” Schumer said. “There are too many allegations. No one knows what’s happened. I don’t think Liberty should be flying until we get to the bottom of this.”

The remains will be investigated by the experts from the National Transportation Safety Board, said NTSB member Bella Dinh-Zarr. The team will focus on investigating three factors: the pilot’s experience and immediate response at the time of the crash; whether anything on the helicopter caused the crash; and what weather related factors may have contributed to the crash, said Gary C. Robb, an aviation attorney.

In a statement on its website, Liberty Helicopters said, it is “focused on supporting the families affected by this tragic accident and on fully cooperating with the FAA and NTSB investigations.”

By: Hellen Zaboulani

 

 

Former-Cuomo Aide Found Guilty on 3 Corruption Charges

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Joseph Percoco, left, was once a top aide and close-friend to Governor Andrew Cuomo, right.

On Monday, March 12, the jury tasked with determining the validity of the corruption charges against former aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo Joseph Percoco said for the second time that they are deadlocked and cannot reach a unanimous decision.

In Manhattan Federal Court, at 9:35am Monday morning, just 20 minutes after jurors arrived, a note was read saying, “After considering the facts and the evidence with open minds, and using your instructions as a roadmap, we remain unable to reach a unanimous verdict.”

However, Judge Valerie Caproni would not take no verdict as an answer. After prosecutors and defense lawyers discussed the note with the Judge, she ordered the jury to keep trying to reach a decision.

On Tuesday morning, March 13, the jury returned to continue deliberations, then to everyone’s surprise the jurors soon came back with a unanimous guilty verdict on three counts. Percoco was found guilty on two counts of conspiracy to commit honest-services fraud for his part in two “pay-to-play” scams that earned him over $300,000 from executives at two companies doing business with the state.

The Post reports, “But while Percoco was convicted of soliciting bribes from the Competitive Power Ventures energy company, he was acquitted of a similar charge involving the Syracuse-based COR Development Co. He also was acquitted of two extortion raps in both schemes.”

Percoco’s sentencing is scheduled for June 15 and he could end up serving as much as 50 years in prison.

He came extremely close to getting off with a mistrial, as Caproni told lawyers that she would not force the jurors to continue deliberations if they came back for a third time deadlocked.

The trial was entering its eight week, when it was initially expected to only last a month to six weeks.

Thursday, March 1, was when the jury began its deliberations. However, storms and shortened schedules have resulted in jurors having considered the case for only around 36 hours, as of Monday March 12.

Percoco is accused of taking over $300,000 in bribes from three separate businessmen, in exchange for assisting them in getting contracts from the state.

On January 22, in Manhattan Federal Court, Percoco went on trial along with those business executives, , Peter Galbraith Kelly, Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi.

By Hannah Hayes

 

Met Opera Fires James Levine Over Evidence of Sexual Misconduct

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The Metropolitan Opera officially and permanently fired its former director James Levine, after discovering evidence that supported claims of sexual abuse. (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

On Monday, March 12, the Metropolitan Opera officially and permanently fired its former director James Levine, after the institution discovered evidence of his acts of sexual abuse and harassment.

Back in December, after allegations were revealed by The Post that Levine molested a 15-year-old boy who has since grown up into Illinois man, the 74-year-old famous conductor was suspended by the Met and an investigation into his deeds was initiated.

In a statement, the Met said that the probe found that Levine “engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct towards vulnerable artists in the early stages of their careers.”

While no details were released, the opera house did say that they interviewed 70 people and that “it would be inappropriate and impossible for Mr. Levine to continue to work at the Met.”

For 40 years Levine was the musical director for the Met, up until 2016 when he retired from that position. He denies all the allegations of misconduct.

According to The Post, “One of Levine’s alleged victims first met him at the Ravinia Music Festival outside Chicago, according to a police report. Levine was a guest conductor there at the time. The victim, whose name is being withheld, finally came forward to the Lake Forest, Ill., police department in October 2016 to detail the molestation that allegedly began in 1985. The man’s accusations included disturbing incidents when Levine would masturbate in front of him and kiss his penis, according to the report.”

In a written statement to the authorities, the now 48-year-old alleged victim said, “I began seeing a 41-year-old man when I was 15, without really understanding I was really ‘seeing’ him. It nearly destroyed my family and almost led me to suicide. I felt alone and afraid. He was trying to seduce me. I couldn’t see this. Now I can.”

Two other men came forward about their own experiences of sexual abuse at the hands of Levine when they were teenagers, after the first victim’s revelation.

“Levine, who made his debut at the Met in 1971 at age 28, has been nominated for 37 Grammy Awards and honored by the Kennedy Center. But the conductor has been plagued by rumors of improper behavior throughout his career. The Met was first alerted about accusations of Levine’s inappropriate behavior in 1979. At the time, they dismissed the information as ‘scurrilous rumors,’” according to The Post.

By Rachel Shapiro

 

Is the DeBlasio Admin Exporting NYC’s Homeless to Upstate Locations?

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The city’s Homebase program helps New Yorkers develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve housing stability. They are eligible for Homebase services if they are at imminent risk of entering the New York City shelter system; are low-income; or want to remain stably housed in their community.

Is the de Blasio administration exporting of New York City’s homeless families to other parts of the state?

Senate Investigations Committee Chairman Terrence Murphy (R-Hudson Valley) told the New York Post on Sunday that he is opening a probe and will hold a public hearing on the matter after being briefed by an infuriated state Sen. Fred Akshar, who represents the city of Binghamton and Broome County, where the homeless are being shipped by the city.

“It’s very concerning when people are relocated from one part of the state to another without community notification,” Murphy told the Post. “It’s slap in the face. It’s sleight of hand. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Mayor de Blasio.”

He added, “A lot of questions need to be answered. Let’s be open and honest about it. Why is New York City paying people to move to Binghamton without anyone knowing about it? Do these people have criminal records? Did they just get out of jail? Or are they just out of luck?”

Homelessness prevention has been an area of great emphasis by the de Blasio administration. The Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA) works to keep New Yorkers in their homes. HPA works with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) and many other organizations and City agencies to prevent homelessness and assist families and individuals in need in maintaining stable, affordable housing in their communities.

Within the Homelessness Prevention Administration are the Housing and Homeless Services/Initiatives Division, the Rental Assistance Program, the Legal Services Initiatives unit, and the Early Intervention Outreach Team, all of which are vital partners in assisting New Yorkers in need.

HRA funds Anti-Eviction Legal Services in the housing courts and in community offices across the City, providing comprehensive, flexible and individualized legal and related services to help ensure that low-income households avoid becoming homeless.

The city’s Homebase program helps New Yorkers develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve housing stability. They are eligible for Homebase services if they are at imminent risk of entering the New York City shelter system; are low-income; or want to remain stably housed in their community.

With conveniently located prevention centers staffed with homelessness prevention experts, Homebase offers a range of services under one roof, including services to prevent eviction; assistance obtaining public benefits; emergency rental assistance; education and job placement assistance; financial counseling and money management; help relocating; and short-term financial assistance

Other city services designed to combat the homeless problem include negotiations with landlords and/or other advocacy assistance, and inquiries into whether a tenant’s rent level is correct, and preparation and filing of required agency and court papers.

By: Howard Riell

 

Employment Stats Growing in NYC; Manufacturing Jobs are Exception

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Employment in New York City is at an all-time high, with the number of jobs growing consistently in all industries except manufacturing.

On Thursday, March 8, the New York State Labor Department released a revised version of the job numbers for 2016 and 2017. The results showed that job growth was better last year than initially thought, and that manufacturing jobs have been declining despite the number of jobs increasing overall.

According to the newly revised numbers, in 2017, New York City gained 85,000 and in 2016 90,000 jobs were added. This shows that even though the economic growth seems to be slowing, the rate at which it is slowing down is quite minimal. Also, the total number of jobs in the city is the highest that it has ever been with 4,426,700 jobs.

This chart shows the number of jobs in New York City over the last four years and how many of those jobs were in the manufacturing industry.

Crain’s News reports, “After a downward revision, total manufacturing employment dropped by 3,000, or 4%, to 73,100, the third consecutive year of losses. Manufacturing jobs in the city are now at their lowest level ever. No matter what the city does in terms of zoning, no matter how many incubators are started, making goods in the city is just not economical. For the record, factory jobs represent 1.6% of employment in the city. Frequently, early numbers suggest small manufacturing gains that are erased when more reliable figures come in for the March revision. Policymakers should focus on how the opportunity cost of spending time on manufacturing jobs is large and the gains from doing so are small.”

By Rebecca Gold

 

Armed NYPD Cop Removed from Queens HS; Parents Furious

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NYPD officer Raul Espinet was recently removed from his post at Francis Lewis High School, which he held for over a dozen years. (Photo Credit: Francis Lewis yearbook)

While the nation calls for more security at schools in the wake of the shooting last month in Florida, the last NYPD officers that were assigned to New York City public schools fulltime have been taken out.

As the 17 victims of the Parkland, Florida school massacre are still being mourned, Sgt. Raul Espinet was removed by the NYPD from the post he held for over a decade at Francis Lewis High School in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Teacher, students and parents are infuriated, with good reason, over the departure of this beloved officer.

Arthur Goldstein, a teacher at Francis Lewis, told The Post, “My colleagues think it’s outrageous — and really stupid. We’re not enthusiastic about arming teachers, but we liked having a cop around.”

According to the NYPD, the position that Espinet held was eliminated because in Mayor de Blasio’s new community policing units, schools will be visited by cops who are already patrolling the area. While all school have unarmed safety agents permanently stationed.

Backed in the 1990s, the practice of having armed police in schools, which was previously common, began waning. With the gradual elimination of all, except the one, Espinet, at Francis Lewis, which is one of the biggest high schools in the city. Parents told The Post that it was only recently that the nearby Bayside and Benjamin Cardozo high schools lost their full-time NYPD officers.

NYPD spokesman Lt. John Grimpel said, “I’m not aware of any other school with a full-time police officer assigned to it.”

The change is being protested by parents of the overcrowded Queens school that is stuffed with over 4,400 students.

Last week a petition was launched by the school’s PTA, which said, “The community officer is in no way an acceptable replacement.”

PTA co-president Linda Lovett told The Post that in just two days their petition demanding that the NYPD and city Department of Education bring back an armed cop to Francis Lewis, received over 1,000 signatures.

Lovett told The Post, “It’s ridiculous. All over the country they are telling you ‘arm the teachers, get an officer in your school.’ New York City had a designated officer and they are actually cutting the program . . . they are making us less secure. You are talking about 5,000 people in a one-block radius, and you’re telling me you can’t designate one officer?”

According to The Post, “Students, parents and teachers say the school is generally safe and that fights are rare, but the Parkland shooting and one teenager’s recent online threat against Francis Lewis HS have put them on high alert… Espinet was a constant presence, both in the hallways and outside the building, according to staffers and students. He made sure doors were locked and busted kids for smoking. ‘He knew what was happening,’ said Phyllis Leibowitz, an English teacher who served 16 years as a dean. ‘Kids told him things . . . They would give him a heads up, and he would handle it before it happened.’ Espinet regularly attended school meetings and made suggestions on how to make the school safer, staffers said. He also spoke to classes about careers in law enforcement and took troubled kids under his wing.”

Many said that the mere presence of Espinet was a “deterrent” for crime, and his absence raises concerns that bad behavior may now be invited.

By Rachel Shapiro

 

Upper Manhattan Residents Outraged Over Closing of Psych Ward

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New York- Presbyterian Hospital is said to be asking the state’s permission to decertify all 30 psychiatric beds at its Allen Hospital in Inwood. The facility provides inpatient much-needed treatment to hundreds of locals annually.

New York- Presbyterian Hospital is said to be asking the state’s permission to decertify all 30 psychiatric beds at its Allen Hospital in Inwood. The facility provides inpatient much-needed treatment to hundreds of locals annually.

Community residents say the plan poses a danger to locals, as more of those in need of help will find their way onto the streets.

“The scary prospect is that the folks will give up the search for help if they’re forced to go seek it,” Community Board 12 Chairman Shah Ally told the New York Post. “With the beds closing, bad things are going to happen, whether it’s people killing themselves or killing someone else.”

“These are low-functioning patients with histories of violence,” Allen Hospital nurse Anthony Ciampa told the Post. “For New York-Presbyterian to close its doors to the mentally ill does not reflect the actions of a community hospital. This translates to me as taking away from areas of need and building in profitable areas of greed.”

New York-Presbyterian submitted a $70 million plan to the state Health Department in late December to eliminate the Allen Hospital’s psychiatric unit in favor of moving and modernizing its maternity ward and adding four operating rooms and “support spaces,” according to the Post. “The move would slash the NewYork-Presbyterian system’s 352 psychiatric beds by almost 8 percent, with the vast majority of those remaining, 251, at its Westchester Division in White Plains,” the paper added.

The problem is far from a new one. For people in New York with severe mental illness, the New York Times reported last summer, “the path to treatment has increasingly passed through the city’s public hospitals, even as health officials and private hospitals try to accelerate years of slow progress by providing people with better outpatient care. A new report shows that treatment is being provided more and more by the city’s strained public hospital system, as financial pressures on some private hospitals drive them to divert psychiatric patients and close beds.”

According to the Times, New York State is in the third year of a $7 billion Medicaid reform plan that “encourages hospitals to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, especially for mental illness, by instead investing in helping people manage their medications outside the hospital and integrating psychiatric care with other doctor visits.”

Kinsey McManus, services director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, told the Times that the mental health system “is always behind in how they’re handling things. Stigma is rampant on all levels, including on what’s the priority in the agenda of the government, what’s the priority of hospitals.”

By: Charles Cumberbein

 

Blankfein to Leave Goldman Sachs; David Solomon to Replace Him

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The CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, will be stepping down from his position.

On Friday, March 9, the Wall Street Journal reported that by the end of 2018, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, will be stepping down from his position.

Since 2006, 63-year-old Blankfein has led Goldman Sachs. His 12-year reign makes him one of the longest-serving CEOs of Wall Street. In that time, he brought the bank through financial crisis and became very rich and successful in his own right along the way. Blankfein earned $24 million in 2016, which then shot up to $24 million for 2017.

A replacement for Blankfein’s position will probably come from within the company, according to the WSJ. The top candidates are the co-presidents of Goldman Harvey Schwartz and David Solomon. Blankfein’s former second hand, outgoing director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn, will not be a contender, as he will soon be unemployed.

Some people say that Blankfein’s departure may be timed in such a way that it will coincide with the bank’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2019.

If Blankfein desires, he could potentially have an entire new career in front of him. What that might be and if he will actually pursue it is unclear. According to the WSJ, Blankfein’s three immediate predecessors found jobs in government, but it is unlikely that he will go in that direction, that is at least not until President Trump leaves the White House.

Last Friday Investopedia released an article on this matter that included an outline of the relationship between Blankfein’s departure announcement and Goldman Sachs shares. The article said, “Goldman shares took a sharp dive earlier in today’s session after the news came out, but then quickly recovered. In late day trade, the stock was up 1.4 percent. During Blankfein’s tenure, shares of Goldman have increased more than 84 percent, second only to JP Morgan among its peers and moving far ahead of the likes of Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.”

By Mark Snyder

 

NJ Shore Ferry Could Help Kushner Cos. as Property Value Rises

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Long Branch, NJ, leaders have been told by the federal government that is plans to both build a pier and initiate ferry service to help tourists and other visitors arrive at a location not far from a resort property that is partially owned by President Trump’s son in law and close advisor, Jared Kushner.

Long Branch, NJ, leaders have been told by the federal government that is plans to both build a pier and initiate ferry service to help tourists and other visitors arrive at a location not far from a resort property that is partially owned by President Trump’s son in law and close advisor, Jared Kushner.

The proposed pier is located next to Kushner’s resort – leaving government officials in the politically ticklish position of seeming to benefit someone intimately connected to the White House.

According to reports, many expect that property values will jump once the project is completed. As reported by the news site Vos Iz Neias, the resort in question is peddling as many as 269 condominium properties for prices as high as $1.9 million.

The Transportation Department’s Federal Transit Administration, sent $3.34 million – more is needed — to the city of Long Branch a decade ago to help it redevelop a long-popular fishing pier.

Reports say that a recent financial disclosure report still lists Kushner – who is married to the President’s daughter Ivanka, and resigned as chief executive officer of Kushner Cos. more than 14 months ago – as a part owner.

Howard Woolley, Long Branch’s former business administrator, told Vos Iz Neias that the rebuilt pier would raise prices on the condos by at least 50%.

Kushner is the elder son of real-estate developer Charles Kushner, and served as chief executive officer of the real-estate holding and development company Kushner Companies, and of Observer Media, publisher of the New York Observer. He is the co-founder and part owner of Cadre, an online real-estate investment platform.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Kushner helped develop and run then-candidate Donald Trump’s digital media strategy. On January 9, 2017, he was named as a senior White House advisor. He has since resigned as CEO of Kushner Companies, and as publisher of the Observer.

According to Kushner Cos., the firm had another record year in 2017, with more than $2.5 billion of transactions. As it states on its web site, “We continued to expand our multifamily portfolio with the acquisition of over 1,000 units in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and the recapitalization of 5,500 units in Maryland. Construction was completed on budget and ahead of schedule at 65 Bay Street, a 447-unit luxury high-rise in Jersey City, which we refinanced for $240 million. We recapitalized Dumbo Heights, our 750,000 square foot office campus that is nearing complete occupancy, for $600 million. Additionally, our lending platform loaned $250 million this year in accordance with our goal.”

The firm has 12 million square feet under development in New York and New Jersey. Construction is underway at the Watchtower, an iconic building on the Brooklyn skyline, and 85 Jay Street, a ground-up $1.1 billion luxury residential project spanning an entire city block in the same borough.

By: Kenneth H.M. Robeson

 

NYC’s ‘Fearless Girl’ Statue Staying Put For Now, Future Uncertain

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A spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio said that New York City officials are expected to make an announcement regarding the permanent placement of the “Fearless Girl” statue “very soon.”

On Thursday March 8th, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio said that New York City officials are expected to make an announcement regarding the permanent placement of the “Fearless Girl” statue “very soon.” For now, the tourist attraction, which has become a symbol of women’s empowerment, will stay put right where it is near Wall Street’s iconic Bull statue. “The Fearless Girl’s message has resonated with New Yorkers and visitors alike, and that’s something we want to remain a part of the city’s civic life,” said Natalie Grybauskas, Mayoral spokeswoman.

The hands-on-hips bronze statue was installed on State Street, last year to mark International Women’s Day. The temporary fixture won a strong backing in its post. As reported by VIN News, on Thursday, for this International Women’s day, retailer Old Navy sponsored a cape of blue flowers to bedeck the statue. Tourists were overjoyed, with a steady rush of visitors posing for pictures with it throughout the day.

The statue’s owner, Boston-based investment firm State Street Global Advisors, said they are working with Mayor de Blasio’s office “to determine a permanent solution to keep Fearless Girl in New York City so she can continue to promote the power of having more women in leadership.”

The statue’s creator, Kristen Visbal, would like to see her work stay as it is permanently. “I really feel that this placement of ‘Fearless Girl’ in front of ‘Raging Bull’ is a historical moment,” said Visbal. Also on Thursday, a “Fearless Girl” replica was placed in Oslo, in front of Norway’s legislative building. “I’m really excited that we have a piece on the other side of the world that’s sending this message of diversity,” Visbal said.

By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh

 

Actress’ Daughter & One Other Child Killed in Bklyn Car Crash

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Ruthie Ann Miles (left) with daughter Abigail Blumenstein in February of 2017

One of the two children who were killed in a horrifying car accident in Brooklyn last week was the four-year-old daughter of Broadway actress Ruthie Ann Miles.

Miles herself was said by police to be in critical but stable condition. Her daughter’s name is Abigail Blumenstein. The name of the second child, just one year old, is Joshua Lew.

The 34-year-old pregnant actress, who earned a Tony Award for her role in the King and I, was said to have been traveling to an event at a community center with the mother of a year-old boy who also died when Dorothy Bruns reportedly hit their car in Park Slope.

Bruns reportedly told police she had swerved to avoid hitting another car and, according to The Daily Best, “remembers waking up behind the wheel but was unaware that she had hit anyone.” Bruns was later released from police custody.

Miles’ Broadway colleague Ben Platt, tweeted a message in support for the actress and her GoFundMe page. It read: “This incredible woman of unimaginable kindness and goodness and talent is going through the absolutely unthinkable. Please help @RuthieAnnMiles if you can.”

The GoFundMe page itself reads: “Our dear friend Ruthie Ann Miles encountered tragedy on March 5, 2018, when a driver ran a red light in Brooklyn, striking four people, including Ruthie and her sweet four-year-old daughter, Abigail. Ruthie, who is pregnant, is injured and in critical condition, and, very sadly, Abigail passed away. This GoFundMe has been set up as a centralized point to accept donations. These contributions will go to Ruthie and her family. Ruthie is beloved by her many friends and colleagues in the Broadway and touring communities. She is always kind and always has a smile. It is our honor to help her in this difficult time. With thanks, Jack Stephens, Company Manager.”

The outpouring of support from fans and the general public has been strong.

According to People magazine, social media pages belonging to the actress were updated with a message to fans several days after the accident. It read, “Thank you for your prayers over our families and holding us in our pain. We are extremely grateful for your kindness and generosity. Ruthie is now out of ICU and healing, by all accounts it is a miracle our second child is unharmed. Please continue to pray for the Lew and the Blumenstein families as we process the unthinkable and lay our grief in the loving arms of Jesus. Joshua and Abigail are now resting in Heavenly peace and Joy.”

By: Kenneth H.M. Robeson

 

Cuomo Demands Independent Oversight After NYCHA Tour

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Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) on Monday called for the State Department of Health (DOH) to commence an immediate investigation into New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes and assess any violations on the premises

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) on Monday called for the State Department of Health (DOH) to commence an immediate investigation into New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes and assess any violations on the premises.

The order followed Cuomo making good on a NYCHA tenants offer for the governor to tour a development in the Bronx. After, the tour Cuomo called the living conditions “disgusting” and committed himself to improving the living conditions of the city’s 390,000 public housing residents.

NYCHA has been fighting multiple controversies in recent months including fraudulent lead inspections and a heating crisis that left over 80 percent of public housing residents without heat or hot water during the Winter.

“I accepted the tenants’ invitation today to tour NYCHA facilities and I stand firmly with the residents. I have been through NYCHA housing many times over many years. It is much, much worse than anything I have ever seen before. There is no doubt the tenants are right and the conditions have gotten much, much worse recently,” said Cuomo.

Additionally, Cuomo noted the lack of effective progress by NYCHA to make any repairs or improvements to the 150 developments across the city citing recent million dollar funding.

“Money is not now the answer. The problem is NYCHA incompetence because they cannot effectively or quickly spend the money, and the situation is critical and urgent. NYCHA informed us that it would take 3 or 4 years to spend the money and make the repairs. That is a nonstarter. We don’t need $200 million to sit on a shelf. We need immediate progress and solutions, not press release progress or political finger pointing. I want a solution for the children of NYCHA now,” said Cuomo.

In January, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $200 million investment to replace boilers and upgrade the heating systems at 20 NYCHA developments experiencing chronic outages. However, the funding is not expected to kick in until 2019 and will be invested over three years and not all at once.

The tour comes off the heels of a lawsuit filed against the city last week by residents who are accusing NYCHA of “years of neglect” and “systemic violations of the law,” according to reports.

Late last month, the Citywide Council of Presidents (CCOP), made up of the leaders of resident associations at different public housing developments, demanded an independent monitor to oversee NYCHA as part of the lawsuit.

The tour was not well received by all. City Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) was quick to note the lack of state funding for the ailing authority and claimed Cuomo’s tour was simply a publicity stunt.

By: Kelly Mena

 

 

Michael Paul Enterprises Sells Actress Brooke Shields’ UES Home for $18.2M

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The properties sold at 163-167 East 62nd Street included the former home of actress Brooke Shields at 165 East 62nd. She purchased the home in 1982 from two-time Oscar nominated composer, George Barrie, who had lived there for 16 years.

Developer Michael Paul Enterprises sold an Upper East Side property assemblage, a few blocks from Central Park, for $18.2 million. The properties sold at 163-167 East 62nd Street included the former home of actress Brooke Shields at 165 East 62nd. She purchased the home in 1982 from two-time Oscar nominated composer, George Barrie, who had lived there for 16 years.

Inside actress Brooke Shields’ upper east side apartment

As reported by the Real Deal, in 2015, Michael Paul Enterprises had purchased 163-165 East 62nd Street for a combined $14.05 million. The construction management firm planned to build a six-story, five-unit building at the site. Then last year, the company purchased neighboring 167 East 62nd Street for roughly $7.2 million. It expanded its project, planning for a seven-story, 10-unit building. With the sale of the properties, the condo development plans have been abandoned. Michael Paul Enterprises made no immediate comment on his decision to sell.

The buyer, Churchill Capital Management, has been active of late. Last month, Gary Podell’s Churchill partnered with Square Advisors to purchase 5-7 Mercer Street in Soho for $21 million. In July, they also paired to buy three contiguous rental buildings at 439-443 West 48th Street, in Hell’s Kitchen, for $15.5 million. The 34 market-rate apartments there were purchased from Yaron Finkelstein.

Other recent real estate news for the Upper East Side includes a new townhouse listing for $39 million at 22 East 67th Street, for sale by Philip Falcone, former hedge fund manager. Also, JMC Holdings recently secured a loan for $51 million with which it will buy one of New York REIT’s last properties from their liquidation, namely the office building at 306 East 61st Street. The loan from Square Mile Capital Management will cover the $47 million cost of purchasing the Lenox Hill building, plus capital improvements and leasing costs associated with the deal. JMC hopes to transform the building into a posh boutique building.

By: Ellen Cans

 

North Williamsburg Loft Building Hits Market for $52M

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151 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, New York. (Photo: Courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield)

A former factory that is now a three-story loft building, and has been the home of several artist, in Brooklyn’s trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg has gone on the market with an asking price of $52 million.

The building is in the northern section of the area at 151 Kent Avenue between North Fourth and North Fifth streets. Over the past ten years this neighborhood has been transformed by rezoning and new developments along the waterfront. This property is just one block from an East River ferry stop and two blocks south from the beautiful East River State Park. The brick building contains 56,550-square-feet, spread across 46 fully leased loft units. It also has a basement, and the potential for expansion with 34,000-square-feet of air rights. Along Kent Avenue, the property has 200 feet that could be turned into a profitable retail space.

In a statement, Brendan Maddigan of Cushman & Wakefield, who is marketing the property with his colleagues Ethan Stanton and Michael Gigante, said, “Loft buildings of this scale are rarely available in North Williamsburg.”

In the late 1990s, artists converted the former factory into loft-style residences, up until the property came into Loft Law’s sights, which then worked to get the building up to code. The co-living company Pure House recently leased a portion of the property, but it ended up shutting down its units there and the property owner decided to rent lofts the traditional way.

Crain’s News reports, “The listing is hitting the market at an uncertain time for Williamsburg and much of northern Brooklyn. In April the Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to begin a 15-month shutdown of the deteriorating East River tunnel used by the L train. The repair project has sowed fears in the real estate community of softening demand and prices in the neighborhoods along the subway line. The city has unveiled a plan to beef up bus and ferry service. The de Blasio administration is also planning a streetcar that would run along Kent Avenue in front of the property, though officials have been mum on the project’s progress lately. It faces huge price obstacles, hinging on how much subsurface infrastructure must be moved.”

By Charles Bernstein