Throggs Neck News: Buying City Hall

Throggs Neck News: Buying City Hall: Bx. GOP chair among those charged in attempt to buy mayoral race By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, April 3- In a six count ind...

Buying City Hall

Bx. GOP chair among those charged in attempt to buy mayoral race

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 3- In a six count indictment released by the United States Attorney, State Senator Malcolm Smith, Queens Councilman Dan Halloran, Bronx County Republican Leader Joseph Savino, and Queens county Republican Vice-Chair Vincent Tabone were arrested for attempting to fix the Republican candidate choice in the upcoming mayors race in New York City by defrauding the public. Also as part of the indictment the mayor and deputy mayor of Spring Valley were arrested for their alleged part in a scheme with Senator Smith to defraud New York State on a contract Smith was to have approved with the officials for a Spring Valley road.

Starting from about November 2012 the complaint states that Smith, Hallogan, Savino, and Tabone (together with others known and unknown) willfully and knowingly did combine, conspire, confederate, and agree together with each other to commit offenses against the United States, to wit, wire fraud and bribery in violation of Title 18, United States

code, sections 1343, 1346, and 1952.

Undercover FBI agent (Thomas Holmes) posing as a wealthy real estate developer and an unidentified cooperating witness met with Smith to bribe leaders of the Republican Party County Committee to obtain certificates of authorization called Wilson Pakula certificates

allowing Smith to run as a Republican candidate for mayor of New York City even though Smith was a registered Democrat. It is then alleged that Queens Councilman Dan Halloran met with the pair to negotiate the amount of bribes to Savino and Tabone for the Wilson Pakula certificates, and Halloran was given $20,500 for his services.

According to the indictment, Smith agreed to use his official position to obtain New York State funds for the Spring Valley Project. Savino met the undercover agent in a Manhattan restaurant and allegedly accepted $15,000 in cash in the undercover agent’s car. Tabone met the UC in a Manhattan restaurant and allegedly accepted $25,000 in cash in the undercover agent’s car. Also in February Smith suggested that the undercover agent and the state senator representing the Spring Valley area meet concerning the funding for the Spring Valley project.

In March, telephone and text messages continued between the undercover agent, a witness, Smith, and Halloran as to the status of the Wilson Pakulas. Smith is quoted as saying, “Before any committee leader receives a nickel more (he'd) have to stand on the Empire State Building and drop every person (he) endorsed, and hold Malcolm up and

say he's the best thing since sliced bread”. “Matter of fact, he's better than sliced bread”.

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos made the following comments on the arrests of New York State Senator Malcolm Smith, New York City Council Member Daniel Halloran, and others: “Elected officials are called public servants because they are supposed to serve the people. Public service is not supposed to be a shortcut to self-enrichment. People in New York, in Spring Valley—in any city or town in this country—rightly expect their elected or appointed representatives to hold themselves to a higher standard. At the very least, public officials should obey the law. As alleged, these defendants did not obey the law; they broke the law and the public trust. There is a price to pay for that kind of betrayal.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): St. Patrick's Day Parade

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): St. Patrick's Day Parade: Luck of the Irish (Photos by Gary Quintal) BRONX, NEW YORK, March 11- East Tremont Avenue was a sea of green on Sunday as Bronxites cele...

Throggs Neck News: St. Patrick's Day Parade

Throggs Neck News: St. Patrick's Day Parade: Luck of the Irish (Photos by Gary Quintal) BRONX, NEW YORK, March 11- East Tremont Avenue was a sea of green on Sunday as Bronx...

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Luck of the Irish

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 11- East Tremont Avenue was a sea of green on Sunday as Bronxites celebrated the 15th Annual Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Throggs Neck News: Celebrating Bronx Biz

Throggs Neck News: Celebrating Bronx Biz: Bronx Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrates Anniversary (Photos by Ken Carozza) BRONX, NEW YORK, March 6- The Bronx Chamber...

Celebrating Bronx Biz

Bronx Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrates Anniversary

(Photos by Ken Carozza)

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 6- The Bronx Chamber of Commerce’s Tenth Annual Scholarship Banquet took place at the Marina del Rey last week. Special Guests included Chazz Palminteri, Jose Feliciano, US Congressman Serrano, Dwight Gooden, Commissioner Robert Walsh (NYC Department of Small Business Services).  

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce celebrated  118 years of operation. Also, the chamber will raise funds to support The Empire State Relief Fund, which will provide resources to help New Yorkers recover from Hurricane Sandy and rebuild and restore homes. Our organization hopes to ensure that New Yorkers can receive long-term residential housing assistance to help fill the funding gap and continue to call New York home.  Additionally, the chamber will raise funds for students to receive scholarships.

Every year, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations who have contributed to the development of the Bronx community. This year, we are honoring our distinguished past honorees from the last decade who have contributed to the success of our borough.

 “This year has been a remarkable one for our borough with the addition of Smith Electric Cars (the very first electric truck manufacturer), a four star hotel Marriot Hotel, Trump Golf Course, Target at The Throggs Neck Mall. Macy’s at Bay Plaza Mall, BJ’s, and Fresh Direct.  Also, another Metro North station is expected to be created in our borough. The Bronx is truly booming and the unemployment rate should be declining with this additional commerce. Our honorees have all helped advance economic prosperity for our region,” states Lenny Caro, President & CEO of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

The annual gala is the chamber’s principal fundraising event and an opportunity for the community to come together and share in a memorable evening. Each year, members of the business community attend this special evening which includes included a cocktail reception and dinner, multiple silent auction tables with hundreds of items to bid on, and an exciting program.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman, Joseph Kelleher, stated, “The annual banquet was created to honor and generate public recognition of the accomplishments and positive contributions of extraordinary Bronx organizations and businesses.  These honorees are a crucial part of the fabric of New York’s economy, and the chamber of commerce will continue to provide an atmosphere in which these businesses can thrive and prosper.”  

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce was established to strengthen the economic viability and improve the quality of life for the Bronx.  Our committees and board members have helped us grow to become a champion of fostering ethical business practices and ensuring the borough’s future as economically thriving.