What’s News, Breaking: Tuesday, April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BIKER HIT BY CAR DIES OF INJURIES

MIDWOOD — CYCLIST FELIPE VELAZQUEZ, AGE 47, PASSED AWAY on Saturday from injuries sustained in a car crash on March 12, reports the Brooklyn Paper. Velazquez spent two weeks at Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital after being transported there by paramedics in critical condition before his death. According to police, Velazquez was struck by a Kia Sportage at the intersection of Avenue O and East 16 Street after leaving the sidewalk and entering the roadway.

Police say that no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing; the driver of the Kia remained on the scene.

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FEDERAL RULES: WRITTEN CONSENT FOR PELVIC EXAMS DURING SURGERY

NATIONWIDE — HOSPITALS ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN WRITTEN CONSENT before performing invasive pelvic exams on unconscious surgery patients, the federal Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Monday, reports the New York Times. Patient advocates have sounded the alarm in recent years over the controversial practice of allowing medical students to practice giving such exams on unconscious people during unrelated surgeries, sometimes without obtaining clear consent or even informing the patient beforehand. A was letter sent on Monday to teaching hospitals and medical schools nationwide by the HHS castigated medical professionals for the misconduct; HHS also issued new guidelines clarifying existing rules that written consent for exams is mandatory for hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid.

Performing a pelvic exam on an anesthetized patient without informed consent was made illegal in New York in 2019 thanks to a bill co-sponsored by state Sen. Roxanne Persaud, who stated, “Non-consensual pelvic exams are a violation of a woman’s absolute right over her body and they have remained admissible long enough; there is no place for them in New York.”

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FIVE QUEENS MEN INDICTED FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF BROOKLYN LAUNDROMAT OWNER

DOWNTOWN — FIVE MEN FROM FAR ROCKAWAY have been indicted for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, and other charges in connection with the brutal execution of a laundromat owner in East Flatbush. It is alleged that the victim’s cousin plotted the assassination with a friend, who recruited his teenage stepson and others. According to Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez, on Dec. 1, 2023, Money Perkins, 37, was ambushed by four armed assailants inside his laundromat, Money P. Clean in East Flatbush. A surveillance video shows the victim struggling with one of the gunmen as he is shot multiple times. One suspect is then seen slamming the victim’s head on the floor multiple times and snatching a chain, valued at over $30,000, from his neck.

Indicted are Ronnie Butler, 46; Luis Mercado, 48; Zecharyah Slay 16; Shaleek Riddick, 19; and Diante Stinson, 20. All were ordered held without bail and to return to court on May 9, 2024.

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OUSTED WEWORK FOUNDER BIDS $500M FOR COMPANY

WILLIAMSBURG — ADAM NEUMANN, COFOUNDER OF COWORKING SPACE company WeWork, in February submitted a bid of more than $500 million raised from a team of backers, reports Curbed; WeWork, which some observers estimate is valued at around $1.5 billion to $2 billion, did not comment on Neumann’s bid. The coworking company has been mired in bankruptcy proceedings after suffering from the pandemic downturn, but on Tuesday announced that after renegotiating its leases it expects to emerge by the end of May. Neumann was forced out as CEO in 2019 after the failure of WeWork’s first planned IPO, but reportedly still owns around 10% of the company.

WeWork’s bankruptcy announcement in November 2023 came as no surprise to industry observers, following a summer of negative messaging about its financial situation.

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EARTH DAY AT ALBEE SQUARE

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — THE DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PARTNERSHIP IS hosting a family-friendly Earth Day celebration this month at Albee Square; the plaza will be closed to traffic all day on April 20 for music and a variety of eco-friendly activities for all ages. Craft stations for making recycled mosaic art, paper, poetry and hand-sewn clothing will be open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as well as a free compost giveaway and ebike tryout; attendees can also sign up for free Zumba and kids’ bike-riding classes or enjoy an eco-friendly musical show.

Registration and scheduling information for classes can be found on the DBP’s website; registration is required for the Zumba class, as space is limited.

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MTA BANS EMPTY TRUCKS ON ITS NYC BRIDGES WEDNESDAY

CITYWIDE — DUE TO EXPECTED HIGH WINDS, MTA BRIDGES AND TUNNELS said it is banning empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks on its seven bridges beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, anticipated to last through 10 p.m. The ban includes Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The pedestrian walkways at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge will also be closed.

The forecast calls for winds 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph possible. For real time updates on service changes, motorists can visit new.mta.info/agency/bridges-and-tunnels.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER WARNING FOR NYC WEDNESDAY

CITYWIDE — THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED a hazardous weather alert due to high winds and rain expected for New York City on Wednesday morning through late Wednesday night. The forecast calls for winds 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph possible. Con Edison said the company has secured 250 outside workers to assist with service problems and urges the public to stay away from and report downed wires.

Other advice from Con Ed: Be cautious going into flooded basements; charge cell phones and devices while you still have power; and make sure flashlights are working. An outage map can be found on the company’s website.

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BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY GIVING AWAY SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES

BOROUGHWIDE — BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY IS GIVING AWAY a limited number of solar eclipse glasses at numerous branches, provided through a partnership with the National Esports Association. There is a limit of two pairs per person. At the Central Library, the special glasses will be available while supplies last on Friday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Monday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the eclipse on April 8, New York City will see 89% coverage, beginning around 2 p.m. and peaking around 3:25 p.m. (Upstate New York near Niagara Falls will experience a total eclipse.)

Never look directly at a solar eclipse or the sun without protective glasses. For information on solar eclipse glasses and programs at local branches, visit BPL’s online events calendar.

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JAMES FINES WALGREENS, AND NYC PARENTS GET 4,668 CANS OF FREE BABY FORMULA

CITYWIDE — NYC FAMILIES WITH BABIES WILL BENEFIT from the penalties imposed on Walgreens by State Attorney General Letitia James for price gouging during the 2022 baby formula shortage. The Office of the Attorney General said on Tuesday it began an investigation into Walgreens’ price gouging of baby formula following reports and consumer complaints. James secured more than 9,500 cans of the baby formula from the company, which are being split between Western New York and New York City. In addition, Walgreens will pay a $50,000 penalty.

The 4,668 cans of baby formula distributed Tuesday will go to the Met Council, which will help distribute them throughout New York City.

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CHURCH’S RECTORY, PARISH CENTER DESTROYED
IN EASTER SUNDAY FIRE

EAST WILLIAMSBURG — BROOKLYN DIOCESAN BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN IS EXPRESSING GRATITUDE to God and the FDNY that there were no casualties in a five-alarm fire at our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii Church during Easter Sunday services. More than 200 firefighters responded to the blaze, which broke out during the 1 p.m. Spanish-language Mass and rapidly escalated to five alarms, destroying both the rectory and the parish center. A spokesperson for the Diocese told the Brooklyn Eagle on Monday that the parishioners were able to evacuate in an orderly manner. Moreover, the door between the church and the connected rectory was kept closed, which prevented the blaze from spreading within the church. The church sanctuary suffered a broken window and smoke and water damage. A Mayday was called as one firefighter fell through the second floor to the first floor, but he is expected to recover.

As of press time on Tuesday, the fire’s cause was still under investigation.

Firefighters battle the blaze at Our Lady of Pompeii of the Rosary in East Williamsburg. The banner on the church gate relates to a nearby Catholic academy associated with the parish.
Photo courtesy John Quaglione/DeSales Media

Firefighters survey the damage at the church. The Tablet reported on Tuesday, April 2, that the church sustained minimal damage but the parish center and rectory were destroyed.
Photo courtesy John Quaglione/DeSales Media

The Holy Family Statue, which stands between the Church and the rectory/parish center, was not damaged in Sunday’s fire.
Photo courtesy John Quaglione/DeSales Media

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FULL CLOSURE OF QUEENS-BOUND BQE: APRIL 13-15

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ALL QUEENS-BOUND LANES OF THE BROOKLYN-QUEENS EXPRESSWAY will be closed between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street (the Triple Cantilever on the Brooklyn Heights waterfront) from 2 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, April 13, to 4 a.m. on Monday, April 15. “The repairs focus on new concrete and reinforcing steel bars being added at spans near Clark Street and Grace Court as part of near-term work critical to continuing the structure’s lifespan,” NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a release. Eight Queens-bound entrance ramps will be closed, and Traffic Enforcement Agents and pedestrian managers will be posted at key intersections. During this time, one Staten Island-bound lane will also be closed during overnight hours.

Traffic diversion maps can be found on DOT’s website.

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FINANCIAL AWARDS AVAILABLE TO STEM PROGRAM APPLICANTS AT NY’S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

ALBANY — AS PART OF FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS MONTH, Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday, April 2, issued a proclamation and announced the Petrie Foundation’s $1 million award to the City University of New York to launch the CUNY Financial Aid Support Team that will help 100,000 students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Moreover, Governor Hochul on Wednesday, April 3, will launch the 2024 New York STEM incentive program, which will offer tuition awards to New York State students at State University of New York or CUNY campuses, including several in Brooklyn, who are pursuing a degree in an approved Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics field of study.

Applicants for the STEM incentive program must also agree to live and work in New York State for five years after graduation.

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BAY RIDGE DEVELOPMENT WINS FUNDING
IN ZERO-CARBON BUILDING COMPETITION

ALBANY AND BAY RIDGE — THE SHORE HILL DEVELOPMENT IN BAY RIDGE, which is refurbishing an existing Section 8 housing complex for seniors, is part of New York State’s Early Design Support project’s $2 million funding that Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday, April 2. The Early Design Support will help ensure the most cost-effective low-carbon solutions are integrated into projects from the start of design. This component provides critical technical assistance on a project-by-project basis to the firms advancing multifamily building design to meet or exceed future code requirements, achieve high performance, and maximize occupant health and comfort. The architectural firm handling this Shore Hill project is Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, based in lower Manhattan.

This funding is part of a larger $58 million Buildings of Excellence Competition, which aims to advance zero-carbon multifamily buildings in New York.

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SHARED GOVERNMENT SECURITY, CLIMATE PROJECTS
BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR STATE GRANTS

STATEWIDE — LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL BE ABLE TO AVAIL THEMSELVES of nearly $1.6 million through the 2023-24 Local Government Efficiency Grants for projects involving shared services and municipal reorganization. The New York Department of State on Tuesday, April 2, announced the grants to incentivize local governments around the state to plan for and implement projects that reduce local government costs. The availability of LGEG program funds will focus on shared services projects in information technology, including cybersecurity; emergency services, including EMS; regional water and wastewater planning and design and intermunicipal actions that incorporate climate change mitigation. LGEG grant applications may fall into two categories — implementation grants or planning grants.

Applications for the LGEG funding will be due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, and accepted through New York’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) portal. Contact [email protected] or call 518 473-3355 for more information.

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BROOKLYN FEDERAL JUDGE DEMANDS END TO DELAYS
IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMPLAINTS AGAINST FIRE DEPT.

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — BROOKLYN FEDERAL COURT JUDGE NICHOLAS GARAUFIS IS DEMANDING ANSWERS from FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and the top lawyer Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Hinds-Radix, to explain the delays in addressing equal opportunity complaints against the Fire Department, particularly after a recent incident in which firefighters heckled state Attorney General Letitia James’s speech during a promotion ceremony in March. The Daily News reports that Judge Garaufis, who sits in U.S. District Court-Eastern District NY, and is overseeing the FDNY’s civil rights settlement with the Vulcan Society of Black firefighters, demanded the city assign lawyers from other city agencies to ease the EEO caseload. “You have 900 lawyers sitting doing other things in the Corporation Counsel’s office and lawyers all over the city government. Put them on detail, they already work for you, and do it,” he told the Daily News.

Judge Garaufis said he was horrified by the March 8 incident at the Christian Cultural Center in East New York, during which pro-Trump firefighters heckled Attorney General James during the promotion ceremony.

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JEREMY LECHTZIN NAMED NEW PRESIDENT OF BROOKLYN HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — THE BROOKLYN HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION has a new president, the organization announced Thursday. Architectural historian and tech lawyer Jeremy Lechtzin was named president of BHA’s Board of Governors for 2024-2026. Lechtzin is currently writing a data-driven analysis of every house built in Brooklyn Heights and creating a digital map of the lost streetscape of the Village of Brooklyn as it existed in 1816, BHA notes. (Read his memorable piece in The New York Times about how in 1870 nearly every street address in Brooklyn was changed, and that move’s knock-on results.)

To see Lechtzin’s priorities for his term, visit thebha.org.

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FIRE MARS EASTER CELEBRATION AT EAST WILLIAMSBURG CHURCH

EAST WILLIAMSBURG — A FIRE THAT BEGAN IN A CHURCH DURING EASTER MASS services in East Williamsburg quickly spread to the adjoining rectory, causing worshippers to evacuate, and injuring several, including three firefighters, reports Gothamist. The fire reportedly broke out around 1:47 p.m. during the liturgy, with smoke forcing about 150 parishioners to evacuate Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii at 225 Seigel St., according to the NYPD. The fire then rapidly spread through the adjoining rectory, the priests’ residence. At least six people sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

As of press time, the fire’s cause is still under investigation. The Monday after Easter is usually treated as a day off for most church employees across denominations, and the diocese has not yet responded to requests for a follow-up.

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POLISH COMMUNITY CELEBRATES TIME-HONORED TRADITION OF BLESSING EASTER BASKETS

BROOKLYN DIOCESE/MASPETH — THE BLESSING OF EASTER BASKETS, a time-honored tradition originating during the 15th century, among Brooklynites of Polish, Lithuanian and other Baltic region heritage, took place on Holy Saturday within the Diocese of Brooklyn. Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski presided over the annual blessing of Easter food baskets at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Maspeth, which is part of the diocese. The baskets by tradition contain a sampling of Easter foods including bread, eggs, ham and sweets.

“It was great to see so many children and families on this Holy Saturday morning, giving thanks to God for their many blessings, and bringing their Easter food to church to be blessed,” said Bishop Witold Mroziewski.

Bishop Mroziewski sprinkles holy water over the worshipers’ Easter baskets.
Photo courtesy John QuaglioneDeSales Media

This Easter basket contains ham, sausage, eggs and bread as well as sweets.
Photo courtesy John Quaglione DeSales Media

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QUESTIONS ON CITY PICK OF ADAMS DONOR FOR FUEL CONTRACT

CITYWIDE — NATIONAL FUELING COMPANY SPRAGUE OPERATING RESOURCES HAS FILED a lawsuit against the city over a canceled contract to keep city vehicles fueled, reports The City, alleging that the Department of Citywide Administrative Services flouted the law in backing out of negotiations to instead award the lucrative $91 million two-year contract to a competitor, Approved Oil of Brooklyn, whose CEO is a three-time donor to Mayor Adams’ campaign. The suit claims that DCAS was obligated to continue negotiations with Sprague, the city’s current vehicle fuel vendor; and that by awarding Approved Oil the contract without searching for other bidders, taxpayers will have to shell out an extra $21 million in higher per-gallon prices.

The lawsuit also alleges that the city’s decision was influenced by Approved Oil hiring law firm Pitta Bishop as a lobbyist; Pitta Bishop advises the mayor’s campaign.

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WOMAN STALKED, BEATEN IN SUBWAY

CYPRESS HILLS — A WOMAN WAS BEATEN BY AN UNKNOWN MAN after being stalked on a Queens-bound J train earlier this month, reports PIX News. After boarding at the Cypress Hills station on the morning of March 19, the man sat too close to her and then followed as she tried to move away, telling her “You look cute, you smell good.” When she got off at Jamaica, the man chased her, sprinting after her into her workplace, where he physically assaulted her until a security guard was able to chase him away. The victim was left injured and emotionally distraught, telling PIX, “I’m terrified, I can’t sleep, I have nightmares… I fear for a lot of other women on the train because he’s out there.”

Police are searching for the suspect, who is described as in his early 20s, around 5’5” and 140 pounds, with a light complexion and black hair, and was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, blue sweatpants and light-colored sneakers.

The unknown man accused of stalking and attacking a woman on the J train earlier this month. All calls to police tiplines are strictly confidential.

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DOGGY MEETUP IN PROSPECT PARK

PARK SLOPE — FIDO OF BROOKLYN IS HOLDING its monthly coffee bark meetup this weekend, offering dogs and dog owners a chance to socialize with others in Prospect Park’s Long Meadow. The doggy welfare group will offer coffee, snacks and doggy biscuits rain or shine at the Picnic House from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, along with information about off-leash play and activities.

FIDO is a nonprofit group of dog lovers dedicated to keeping Prospect Park a safe place for dogs and people, as well as advocating for free play and socialization, along with other welfare issues.

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MISSING TEEN IN BROWNSVILLE

BROWNSVILLE — POLICE ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO HELP FIND missing girl Sydney Snead-Herron, age 15, who was last seen on the morning of Thursday, March 28, at her home on Prospect Place near P.S. 12 in Brownsville. Sydney is described as 5′ 2″ and 140 pounds, and is Black, with a medium complexion, black hair and brown eyes; she was last seen wearing a purple bubble jacket, blue jeans and gray Jordan brand sneakers with an orange mark on the side.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website, or on X (Twitter) @NYPDTips.

Missing teen Sydney Snead-Herron. All calls are strictly confidential.

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RESTAURANT DELIVERY WORKERS WILL SEE INCREASED PAY RATE

CITYWIDE — THE CITY’S MINIMUM PAY RATE for app-based restaurant delivery workers is increasing effective immediately to at least $19.56 per hour before tips, Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga announced on Monday. The $19.56 rate reflects the 2024 phase-in rate of $18.96 and an inflation adjustment of 3.15% — increased from an average of just $5.39 per hour before enforcement began. Since the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection began enforcing the minimum pay rate in December 2023, apps have paid the city’s delivery workers $16.3 million more per week across the workforce — an increase of 165% — totaling an additional $847.6 million annually.

When the rate is fully phased in on April 1, 2025, workers will earn at least $19.96 per hour with an adjustment for inflation.

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MAIMONIDES HEALTH LAUDED FOR SURPASSING COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FINANCE GOALS

BOROUGH PARK — MAIMONIDES HEALTH HAS BEEN NAMED as a 2024 Top Hospital for Fair Share Spending. The Lown Institute, in its annual sprint report, has ranked Maimonides Heath Maimonides Medical Center and Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital among the top 20% of hospitals nationwide meeting — or exceeding — its obligations for community investment, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to holistic care and health care excellence. The report showed that Maimonides Medical Center had a “fair share” surplus, which means it spent $2,137,709 more on financial assistance and community investment than the estimated value of its tax exemption. Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital’s fair share surplus totals $20,670,995.

The Lown Institute is an independent health care think tank that analyzes nonprofit hospitals’ community investments.

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NOTED JURIST ANALYZES FEDERAL JUDGE’S RULING ON ‘PROBABLE CAUSE’ IN GUN CASES

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SEEKS RECONSIDERATION of a decision from a federal judge here in the U.S. district court for the Eastern District of New York that set a new legal standard for probable cause in gun cases in New York. The Hon. Barry Kamins, a former Kings County State Supreme Court judge, wrote an analysis on this standard on probable cause for the Monday, April 1, New York Law Journal, related to the case United States v. Homer, 2024 WL 417103 (EDNY 2024). Examining both the Homer case and the government’s reconsideration, Judge Kamins points out “Homer demonstrates how Bruen has had a significant impact on numerous areas of the law outside the Second Amendment…Ultimately, however, the Supreme Court may need to resolve how the issue of licensure affects if at all, the probable cause calculus.”

Judge Kamins is the author of “New York Search and Seizure” and writes the Criminal Law and Practice column for the New York Law Journal.

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SENATE BILL WOULD PROTECT BIDEN’S STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM

CAPITOL HILL — LEGISLATION TO CODIFY AND PROTECT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S HISTORIC STUDENT DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM is the subject of a virtual press conference in Washington, D.C. that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will host on Tuesday, April 2. Sen. Gillibrand will announce legislation that would codify into law the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, and protect it from being rolled back under future administrations. Currently, more than 7.7 million federal student loan borrowers are enrolled in the program, including nearly 300,000 New Yorkers.

During the press conference, Senator Gillibrand will also urge borrowers in New York to apply for the SAVE Plan to lower the cost of their student loan payments.

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CHARGED WITH SALE OF LETHAL DRUGS AND GUN POSSESSION

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A BROOKLYN MAN AND HIS ACCOMPLICE HAVE BEEN CHARGED in a four-count indictment for the sale of a lethal drug combination that caused the death of New York transgender activist, Cecilia Gentili. United States Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom was scheduled to preside at the arraignment in federal court Monday afternoon, April 1, of Michael Kuilan, 44, of Brooklyn and Antonio Venti, 52 of West Babylon. According to the indictment and court documents, NYPD officers responding to a 911 call from Gentili’s partner on Feb. 6, 2024, found Gentili dead in her bedroom. A medical examiner determined that Gentili died due to the combined effect of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine and cocaine. Text messages, cell site data and other evidence revealed that Venti sold the fentanyl and heroin mixture to Gentili on Feb. 5, 2024, and Kuilan supplied Venti with those lethal narcotics.

Kuilan is also charged with unlawful gun possession. Law enforcement officers searching a Williamsburg apartment belonging to Kuilan found hundreds of baggies of fentanyl, a handgun and ammunition.