Thursday, September 13, 2012


If You Think DiNapoli Top Aids Working On Lopez Hush Fund Deal Did Not Tell Tom, We Have A Bridge To Sell You

Memos show that aides to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (above) were in on the Lopez deal.
The comptroller’s top lawyers went on to provide formal advice to Silver’s legal staff on how to financially craft the settlement. Newly-released emails reveal an attorney in Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s office disagreed with public statements by the comptroller about the comptroller’s role in the secret settlement with Lopez’s sexual harassment accusers. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has insisted he had no personal knowledge of the settlement, but it’s clear his top staffers were intimately involved in drafting it.
DiNapoli team in deepDiNapoli team in deep(NYP) Comptrol aides drafted Lopez ‘hu$h’ deal
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office was extensively involved in drafting the secret $103,000 agreement to settle sexual-harassment claims filed against Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez, according to explosive new documents released yesterday.  DiNapoli previously insisted that the confidential Lopez settlement — approved by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — had not been brought to his personal attention by staffers. But correspondence between lawyers for the comptroller and Assembly speaker, released yesterday to the media, shows that DiNapoli’s staff was consulted about the harassment claims against Lopez on March 27 — more than two months before the settlement was reached. * Settlement Advice Revealed(WSJ) * State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s attorneys reviewed a secret $103,000 settlement to resolve sexual harassment allegations against Lopez two months before authorizing the payments, the Albany Times Union reports


In a statement yesterday, DiNapoli’s office defended its actions. “The comptroller’s legal staff was not a party to the negotiations, nor did it evaluate the merits of the settlement,” said DiNapoli spokesman Eric Sumberg.

In a June 4 e-mail, DiNapoli’s assistant counsel, Mary Anne Tommaney, sent Assembly lawyers proposed language for the settlement, recommending that the deal with Lopez’s accusers should be paid as “compensatory damages” for “emotional distress and pain and suffering claimed by the employees” rather than as back pay or salary.  In her e-mails, Tommaney does not refer to Lopez or his accusers by name, simply referring to the agreement as “resolving an employment dispute involving two Assembly staff members.”


 Only the NYP and Albany Times Union Reported On DiNmapoli Office Involvement in the Lopez Hush Money Scandal.  NYT Silent 
Yet another editorial board calls for changes at JCOPE. 





With Loses in Today's Primaries, the Fat Lady Will Have Song for the PIG
Through Primaries, Embattled Assemblyman Seeks to Shore Up Clout(NYT) Embattled Assemblyman Vito Lopez is helping his political allies in several primary races against reform candidates in Brooklyn, even as they distance themselves from the lawmaker * Vito Lopez’s ‘Last Stand’: Restler Hustles as Hasidim Rally(NYO)







“Vito J. Lopez may be preparing for his last hurrah as Brooklyn’s pre-eminent power broker.”




Election 2012 President Obama buries Mitt Romney 62 – 34 percent among likely New York voters, while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand holds a 64 – 27 percent lead over Wendy Long, according to a Quinnipiac University poll * The Times encourages New Yorkers to vote in Thursday’s primary, and endorses Brad Hoylman and Guillermo Linares for State Senate and Nily Rozic and Martine Guerrier for Assembly: * Some Races Get Ugly Before Thursday Primary (NY1) * Banned teach gets job at city charter (NYDN)* Former Council staffer cited for conflict of interest(NYDN) Duncan had continued to run a nonprofit he founded after joining Sanders' staff in 2007; the group got city money from Sanders * Cox Blasts Meng For Sept. 11 Fundraiser(YNN)


" Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum and : a lasting friendship."  



City Board of Elections workers failed to record some or all vote totals after polls closed in 60 percent of Manhattan election districts in the June primary, according to an internal review, the Daily News writes: http://nydn.us/RTAusU
* Earlier this year, a tight special election in Brooklyn led to at least one poll worker making six figures in overtime.

Records show that 824 of the 993 workers at the Board of Elections collected overtime in the 2012 fiscal year, including one aide who clocked 1,496 overtime hours for a total haul of $123,638 over his base salary of $58,398, the New York Post reports:





Slain diplomat Christopher Stevens remembered for bravery, friendship(NYP) * US embassies step up security as Obama speaks with Libyan, Egyptian presidents(NYP) * Protesters storm US Embassy in Yemen (NYP)

Filmmakers: Our conscience is clear(NYP)
* How terrorist thugs struck our consulate(NYP) * Murder in Benghazi(NYP Ed) * For Veteran Diplomat, Return to Libya Was Full of Hope(NYT)



Qaeda plotted envoy’s murderQaeda plotted envoy’s murder(NYP) * Backlash Over Film Spreads to U.S. Embassy in Yemen(NYT) * Yemeni Protesters Pushed Back(WSJ) * Protesters storm U.S. embassy in Yemen:(Politico) * California man confirms role in anti-Islam film:(Politico) * Open Mic Catches Reporters Coordinating Questions Ahead Of Romney Press  



Bloomberg's Dream Die Hard

In D.C., Bloomberg Laments Lack of Progress on Economy, Guns












Romney rips O’s response(NYP) * Egypt May Be Bigger Concern Than Libya for White House(NYT) * Romney Sought Contrast With Obama(NYT)






Monster's attack of 73-year-old woman was motivated by revenge, sources say(NYP) * Woman, 73, Raped in Central Park in Broad Daylight(NYT)* 'Kill him,' 73-year-old Central Park rape victim says of her attacker(NYP) * 73-Year-Old Woman Raped in Central Park(WSJ) * Police: Elderly Woman Sexually Attacked In Central Park(NY1) * Police Question Person Of Interest In Central Park Rape







NYC big-soda crackdown plan goes to vote todayNYC big-soda crackdown plan goes to vote today(NYP) * In Soda Fight, Industry Focuses on the Long Run(NYT) The city’s Board of Health will vote on a proposal requiring parents to sign consent forms about health risks before their child’s circumcision, but some Orthodox Jews strongly oppose the health regulation. The soda industry concedes they cannot stop the city’s Board of Health from voting to pass restrictions on sugary drinks but are considering legal challenges to prevent the regulation from going into effect * Board Of Health To Vote On Soda Ban Thursday(NY1) * Hours before the soda ban vote, NYC Health Commissioner Thomas Farley says obesity is an epidemic and sugary drinks its leading cause.* Reasoning that Bloomberg “will not be mayor forever,” the sweetened beverage industry is gearing up to fight the ban over the long haul, and is considering legal action to block it.  Update City Approves Soda Cup Restrictions, Mayor Says It’s No Big Deal(NYO) * New York City Approves Ban on Large Sugary Drinks(YNN)


 EXCLUSIVE: Cobble Hill candy shop hires security guards (NYDN)



Related Sets School Deal on East Side(WSJ)



City Council Hits Illegal Hotels With Fines(WSJ) The New York City Council approved legislation that imposes stiff fines on a growing number of landlords who illegally convert residential housing into hotel rooms. The New York City Council approved legislation to impose heavy fines on landlords who illegally convert residential housing into hotels, a bill Bloomberg is expected to sign. In a 38-5 vote, the NYC Council approved legislation that imposes stiff fines on a growing number of landlords who illegally convert residential housing into hotel rooms.



MetroCards May Lose 7% Bonuses by Next Year(NYT) * MTA Sees End of Line For Discount(WSJ)



ast of the burnt-out lots on Southern Blvd. to be a public(NYDN)

Informer Sparked New York Probe(WSJ) Attorney General Is Looking at How Buyout Firms Handled Management Fees, Tax Implications. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s probe of fraudulent tax practices at several private equity firms originated from the claims of a whistleblower, according to a source, the Wall Street Journal reports



1 name only1 name only (NYP) The accused Upper East Side madam won’t roll over on a friend. “They have an agenda to get me to talk about a certain person,” Anna Gristina told Dr. Phil in an interview that aired yesterday. “I’m not going to hurt someone with a family




JFK booster shotsJFK booster shots(NYP) * 18 Are Arrested in Theft of Tiny Liquor Bottles(NYT) * Airport Workers Charged in Mini-Liquor Bottle Theft(WSJ) * Police bust man suspected in sex attack on 73-year-old woman(NYP)



Ex-cop gets jail for smuggling cigarettes(NYDN)
Off-Duty Police Officer Stabbed by Intruder(NYT) * 49 Arrested in Alleged Gang Warfare(WSJ)\ * Cops bust man in Bx. gas station shooting that killed immigrant