In The News
-
Boss of firm in deadly construction worker fall pleads guilty
July 13, 2018 | New York Post
The company overseeing a luxury Manhattan construction project where a worker fell 29 floors to his death pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday — as the victim’s sister sobbed in the gallery.
SSC High Rise admitted that its shoddy oversight created an unsafe environment and caused the death of worker Juan Chonillo Sept. 21, 2017, according to the Manhattan DA’s Office.
The prosecutor read a letter written by the victim’s distraught sister, Angela Chonillo, as she tearfully looked on.
New York Post -
ID Thieves Indicted For “Card Cracking” Scheme Involving Snapchat, Rent Checks
July 11, 2018 | The Manhattan District Attorney
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. today announced the indictment of six individuals for participating in a scheme involving identity theft, check forgery, and bank fraud. The defendants are charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Identity Theft in the Second Degree, among other charges.[1]
The Manhattan District Attorney -
Queens Man Convicted In 25-Year-Old Chelsea Murder Case
June 28, 2018 | Patch
A trail of blood that ran down several flights of stairs and out the front door of a slain Chelsea man's apartment complex led police to a convicted rapist in Queens who, nearly 25 years later, would be found guilty of the murder.
Gordon Francis, 60, was convicted on Wednesday in the brutal 1993 murder of 50-year-old social worker James Hawkins, who was discovered in his apartment after he was stabbed more than 25 times in the neck, chest and stomach, authorities said.
Patch -
‘Crooked’ NYPD cop busted for cocaine possession
June 25, 2018 | New York Post
An NYPD officer suspected of a slew of crimes was busted for cocaine possession Monday after admitting to an informant, “I should know better — I’m a cop,” according to court papers.
Disgraced Manhattan cop Johnny Diaz — a 23-year veteran of the force — was initially probed for allegedly offering to help crooks beat their raps in exchange for cash. Prosecutors said an undercover investigator was then assigned to track Diaz and posed as a drug dealer in his patrol area.
New York Post -
Martial Arts Teacher Sexually Abused Girls In Inwood Basement: DA
June 21, 2018 | Patch
A martial arts teacher is facing charges for sexually abusing female students in the basement of an Inwood apartment building, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's office announced Thursday.
Hector Bencosme, 57, was indicted Thursday on three counts of second-degree sexual abuse, five counts of third-degree sexual abuse and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said. Bencosme is accused of abusing girls between the ages of 13 and 15 during martial arts lessons, prosecutors said.
Patch