Suit over ‘cop-flub coverup’
A Queens man cleared in a gun-possession case is suing the city for $3 million, claiming prosecutors knew testimony from a key NYPD witness was flawed — and kept that fact secret from the defense. Deon Davis, 21, claims Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s office has known for four years that Officer Ronald Martiny gave “mistaken” testimony in Davis’ 2007 firearms arrest. The Brooklyn federal court suit, filed this week, says that, after a 2008 visit to the crime scene, Martiny changed his original story about Davis having escaped through a fence. Read More: New York Post
Vallone’s trash talk
Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. is telling illegal garbage dumpers where they can stick their trash. Vallone, who observed personal garbage in a public receptacle outside his office, is outraged that some citizens view the city as their private dumping ground. “I was walking into my office in the rain and I noticed one of the garbage cans outside was stuffed up with personal garbage. I passed it and got angry,” said Vallone. “This is something a lot of people are not aware of, but they see these overflowing garbage cans and a lot of times they assume it’s because they haven’t been emptied. But a lot of times it’s because pigs think they can dump their garbage in public property.” Read More: Queens Courier
Officials dispel rumors of crime spikes near Racino
While reported rumors surface about crime spikes near the Racino, officials hope to dispel the so-called fallacies. A recent New York Post article alleged petit larcenies and misdemeanor assaults have increased within the 106th Precinct — which covers the new Resorts World Casino — though they say it’s unclear whether the offenses can be tied to the South Ozone Park gambling operation. The published story started a flurry of worry, according to Captain Thomas Pascale, the 106th Precinct’s commanding officer. However, local officials said so far there’s no cause for concern. Read More: Queens Courier
Haggerty’s Queen. $idelight
At the same time he was on trial for stealing more than $1 million from Mayor Bloomberg, political consultant John Haggerty was also using the mayor’s money to settle old political scores in Queens, according to campaign records. Filings at the state Board of Elections show Haggerty’s 28th Assembly District Republican Committee shelled out $16,636 over the last six months to back candidates for party positions against archrival Phil Ragusa, the Queens Republican leader. The Mayor’s Office declined comment. Read More: New York Post
Dolan Slams New Birth Control Policy At Fordham Event
The speech on religion and law came at an appropriate time. Archbishop Timothy Dolan is railing at a new Obama administration policy on health care and contraceptives. “You bet we got a disagreement,” said Dolan. The policy requires most health insurance plans to cover free contraceptives for women. The White House turned down Catholics’ request for exemptions for insurance provided to employees of Catholic hospitals, colleges and charities. It has given them another year to comply. Churches themselves are exempt, but that’s not good enough according to Dolan, who added that his opposition has supporters of different faiths. Read More: NY1
