True New:: What the Media Has Not Reported About the 2021 Campaign

Michael Benjamin ‏

@SquarePegDem  Apr 22  Gary Tilzer (@unitedNYblogs) warned that BdB circle of friends, lobbyists & PACs were up to no good. Like #Cassandra, he was ignored.

Seddio the coming fight in Brooklyn

 

 

The resolution, that New Kings Democrats President and current candidate for City Council Brandon West proposed, involved changes to the operation of the County’s finance committee and additional transparency by, among other things, convening an open meeting of the finance committee and publish the County’s finances on its website.

 “Most of the points brought out are truly common sense and pretty much a lot of them we already do,” said Seddio, who pointed to the county’s finance reports already being posted on the Board of Elections (BOE) website due to semi-annual disclosure requirements of registered political organizations. The BOE database disclosures were likely one of the ways the Daily News was able to compile their article. 

Ernest Skinner, a long-time Brooklyn community activist, proposed holding more fundraiser events with low-cost tickets, due to the costs of $500 per ticket being too high for some. Seddio agreed and offered to host a fundraiser with tickets at $100. “I spoke to Josh [Skaller], I spoke to Brandon West about it. We’re going to try to host it somewhere around either Park Slope or Northern Brooklyn,” said Seddio. “And hopefully we’ll do it for $100 a head. […] Just think about it, if 500 people show up at $100 a head, that’s $50,000 and will go a long way in helping with our expenses.”

 https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/seddio-nkd-come-to-agreement-at-county-committee-meeting/?utm_source=Kings+County+Politics&utm_campaign=b89df015c4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_09_11_11_43&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_466a6c86df-b89df015c4-324302829

 

 

“We used to raise a lot more money from groups we no longer want to participate with, especially the real estate industry, quite frankly,” said Frank Seddio, chairperson of the Kings County Democratic Committee, at the meeting. “In 2013, we raised $800,000 in a year. In 2018, we only raised $400,000 — so you can pretty much see that our revenues have been cut in half.”

Seddio was elected chairperson of the committee in September 2012. The group’s financial disclosure reports from July that year, filed with the state Board of Elections, showed their closing balance of $553,559.72. As of July 2019, the party’s cash on hand had decreased to a measly $32,833.95 according to public filings.
The club is currently operating at a loss of more than $138,000, with legal expenses ($81,473.87) and payroll ($140,016.96) cutting into its diminished bank account.

In a unanimous vote, more than 300 members of the Kings County Democratic Committee passed a resolution aimed at creating financial transparency.
Brandon West of the New Kings Democrats opened up the floor at the Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island with a call to pass a proposal that will, among other things, force the party to produce quarterly written reports of the club’s income and expenses to be made available publicly online and to convene the club’s Finance Committee within the next 90 days

The News also analyzed the party’s finances and found ballooning expenses nonexistent before Seddio’s leadership, including more than $300,000 owed to George Arzt Communications for public relations and more than $100,000 to Diana Carone, the wife of Seddio’s law partner and the party’s chief lawyer, Frank Carone.

 

  His financial problems have corresponded with what some view as the deteriorating finances of the county political organization he manages. Since 2013, the year after Seddio took over the reins of the party, its cash reserves dwindled from $505,000 in 2013 to $32,800 by July 2019, state Board of Elections records show.+oo9

 

Those include more than $300,000 to George Arzt Communications for public relations and more than $100,000 to Diana Carone, the wife of Frank Carone, the party’s chief lawyer and Seddio’s former law partner.

 

Jessica Thurston, spokeswoman for the New Kings Democrats

“We’re also concerned that this financial malaise runs parallel with the party’s own fiscal irresponsibility, and he is, by default, the person responsible for the party’s solvency,” she said. “The party must be financially stable if it is to be a strong voice for the many Brooklynites struggling to make ends meet.”

 Jessica Thurston, spokeswoman for the New Kings Democrats political club, demanded Seddio convene a meeting of the party’s finance committee to hash out the party’s finances.

Asher Novek, president of the progressive Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, said the county party has been “lax” as far as disclosing the state of its financial health goes.

“I’d say even a bit unprepared,” he said.  CBID

Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D-Brooklyn) said he wants a “full and independent audit” of the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s finances after learning party chairman Frank Seddio is embroiled in a dispute over $2.2 million a restaurant owner claims he owes even as the party’s cash reserves were crashing.

“An honest and properly functioning political party is how we ensure that our elected officials are those who hear the concerns of Brooklyn residents,” Mosley said. “I’m deeply disturbed by recent reportings on the party finances, which must be above reproach. We must ensure that our party’s funds are spent responsibly.”

Seddio was sued in 2015 for more than $2 million in debts connected to several Golden Corral franchises he invested in, court records and Seddio’s state financial disclosure forms show.

 

Brooklyn Assemblyman Robert Carroll said the county party needs to zero in on Diane Carone’s role, and questioned if the party should be paying so much money for public relations, asking “or should we spend more money registering people to vote?”

[More Politics] New York state sets 2020 presidential primary for April 28 »

“The party should make an explanation of what services were provided by Frank Carone’s wife,” he said. “I don’t know her. I don’t think I’ve ever met her.”

Brooklyn Democratic party boss under fire for misleading letters as proxy battle heats up

 “One of my constituents texted me a picture of the letter and seemed quite miffed. I was as well. That letter did not come from me, whoever wrote that letter never asked or even suggested that they were going to send that out,” Carroll told The News. “Of course we would have never sent this out, because we all at least know how to spell our names.”

 

Seddio, NKD Come to Agreement at County Committee Meeting

 

KINGS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COUNTY COMMITTEE  C19809 (Household 

3,053,638.94

KINGS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COUNTY COMMITTEE 139,300.00  C03337 

 

FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO  407,577.00 

 ABRAMS FENSTERMAN, LLP     10,000
111 MARCUS AVE
LAKE SUCCESS, NY 11404

 

DECKER & DECKER 3 KERMIT AVE. STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305	1,000.00	09-MAR-16	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2016 July Periodic	A	State Committee	N/A
EDELMAN & EDELMAN , PC 61 BROADWAY NY, NY 10006	1,000.00	23-FEB-16	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2016 July Periodic	B	State Committee	N/A
EDELMAN &EDELMAN PC 61 BROADWAY NY, NY 10006	1,000.00	27-APR-15	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2015 July Periodic	B	State Committee	N/A

 

ELEFTERAKIS & ELEFTERAKIS, PC 111 JOHN ST NY, NY 10038	1,000.00	09-MAR-16	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2016 July Periodic	B	State Committee	N/A

 

ELEFTERAKIS & ELEFTERAKIS, PC 111 JOHN ST NY, NY 10038	1,000.00	09-MAR-16	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2016 July Periodic	B	State Committee	N/A

 

LONUZZI, JOHN 421 DEGRAW ST. BROOKLYN, NY 11217	2,400.00	08-OCT-14	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2015 January Periodic	A	State Committee	N/A

NAPOLETANO, DOMENICK 351 COURT STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11231	2,500.00	25-OCT-13	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2014 January Periodic	A	State Committee	N/A

YOSWEIN, JONI A 75 LIVINGSTON STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11201	1,500.00	25-JUL-14	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2014 32 Pre Primary	A	State Committee	N/A
YOSWEIN, JONI A 75 LIVINGSTON ST. BROOKLYN, NY 11201	500.00	09-MAR-16	FRIENDS OF FRANK SEDDIO	2016 July Periodic	A	State Committee	N/A

Brooklyn politicos call on county Democratic party to open its books  August 19th

Assemblyman Walter Mosley who thinks he has been waiting a long time to become county leader
demanded a more detailed accounting of how the Brooklyn Democratic Party spends its money just a day after the Daily News revealed the party’s leader is entangled in his own financial woes.  Mosley’s comments also came as several sources say he is maneuvering to become the next county chair – something that Seddio doesn’t see happening. Kings

Seddio Blasts Mosley, Calls County Dem Finances An Open Book  August 20, 2019

 Seddio’s comments follow a Daily News report alleging that Seddio has depleted the County Democratic Party Resources since taking over as county chair nearly seven years ago from disgraced former County Chair Vito Lopez.   Seddio said the party files a New York State financial report every six months with the state board of elections, and it is open for anybody to see.



$2.2 million a restaurant owner claims he owes Golden Corral franchises Kentucky-based Golden Resources LLC  a Kentucky judge ordered Seddio pay that amount, court records show.
Another defendant named in the initial lawsuit is Bartholomew Enterprise, Inc., a company that appears to be controlled by Djenane and Dexter Bartholomew. Djenane and Dexter Bartholomew filed for bankruptcy in 2015, according to federal court records, which show they owed Seddio $332,000 at the time.  

Brooklyn Dem boss Seddio owes big bucks in deal with ‘America’s #1 Buffet and Grill’ Aug 18

“An honest and properly functioning political party is how we ensure that our elected officials are those who hear the concerns of Brooklyn residents,” Mosley said


Since 2013, the year after Seddio took over the reins of the party, its cash reserves dwindled from $505,000 in 2013 to $32,800 by July 2019, state Board of Elections records show.
According to the Daily News story, and state filings, since Seddio took the reins of the party in 2013, the party account has been depleted from $505,000 in 2013 to $32,800 in its most recent filing.
The money paid out includes $300,000 to George Arzt Communications for public relations and more than $100,000 to Diana Carone, the wife Frank Carone, the party’s chief lawyer and Seddio’s former law partner.  Seddio said Diana Carone has long been the chair of fundraising, for which she has been paid $1,000 a month intermittently when heading fundraising events, which totals $100,000 over nearly seven years.  Seddio also noted that the party is actively involved in boroughwide events in which it spends lump sums of money such as the West Indian Day Parade and the LBGTQ parade. The party also holds annual county committee meetings that cost $18,000, he said.





Arzt, the party’s spokesman, countered that “there is no correlation between Frank Seddio’s personal finances and those of the party.” “Any inference to the contrary is simply unfair,” he said. “Furthermore, the party has been completely transparent about the individuals responsible for their well-being and has made it abundantly clear that they utilize consultants.”   The firm is currently being paid $1,000 a month, Seddio said. (Kings County) . . . George Artz worked wonders for Hynes.

“Neither of these county organizations spent five cents supporting county in any of our endeavors,” said Seddio, adding that the county has had to tighten their belt the past few years because the organization didn’t raise as much money as they had hoped.

I went over the numbers today and it looks like Frank gave Artz 80% of the money. Frank says its because Vito got bad press a decade ago. Makes sense.
But if a prosecutor ever gets around to looking at Artz bank accounts I think they’ll find a series of cash withdrawals. Large cash withdrawals. John 

NKD
 But the similarities between his and the party’s fiscal difficulties are raising eyebrows
Jessica Thurston, spokeswoman for the New Kings Democrats political club, demanded Seddio convene a meeting of the party’s finance committee to hash out the party’s finances.  “We’re also concerned that this financial malaise runs parallel with the party’s own fiscal irresponsibility, and he is, by default, the person responsible for the party’s solvency,” she said. “The party must be financially stable if it is to be a strong voice for the many Brooklynites struggling to make ends meet.”


Seddio also came out swinging at the two political clubs in the Daily News story that was also critical at the way Seddio is handling the county’s finances – the New Kings Democrats (NKD) and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats.


CBID

Asher Novek, president of the progressive Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, said the county party has been “lax” as far as disclosing the state of its financial health goes.


Brooklyn Assemblyman Robert Carroll said the county party needs to zero in on Diane Carone’s role, and questioned if the party should be paying so much money for public relations, asking “or should we spend more money registering people to vote?”

Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon said she’s not worried about Seddio’s personal financial situation, and Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte said he’d done a good job at uniting the party since the departure of the disgraced late Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

Brooklyn Dem boss Seddio owes big bucks in deal with ‘America’s #1 Buffet and Grill’

 

But Monday’s detailed takedown by Michael Gartland, exposing how lawyers on the judicial screening committee of the Brooklyn Democratic machine are cashing in on court appointments made by the very judges they okay for the ballot, reinforces every argument against an elected judiciary.

 

While Manhattan Democrats employ an independent screening panel, Brooklyn boss Frank Seddio, a former Surrogate judge that this page chased off the bench, names a third of the members in Brooklyn.

 

Without his rigged panel, no party blessing. No ballot line.

And as The News lays out, several of the panel members, including Seddio-tapped pals, have been receiving largess from the same Brooklyn judges that they okayed.

Judges 

Second, he’s sliding judges into open ballot slots, making further mockery of the small-d democratic process.

The shenanigans began last week when he moved three Civil Court judges who had just won primaries to state Supreme Court. Now, insiders will pick their replacements.

One seat is slated for Jill Epstein, who lost a Civil Court primary in 2016, having been censured by the courts in New Jersey and New York for violating money-handling rules. Another will go to Anne Swern, who was trounced in the district attorney’s primary last year. The third seat will be filled by Seddio’s fellow district leaders; contenders are Elaine Schack-Rodriguez (daughter of district leader Dilia Schack), Rupert Barry, who lost Civil Court races in 2017 and 2014, and David Pepper, who also lost last year.

Anti-Seddio reformers are hoping to have the numbers to block the badness. Good luck to them. If they manage to keep the ballot lines empty, the mayor can make merit selections and open primaries can be held next year.

Brooklyn lawyers deciding Democratic ballot line for judicial seats get guardian, referee jobs from judges they review, records show  June 10th

Brooklyn lawyers who decide who can get the crucial Democratic ballot line to run for prized judicial seats are getting jobs as legal guardians and referees from the very judges they’re charged with reviewing — and their law firms are appearing before those same judges in active cases.

 

Judicial screening panel members Helene Blank, Mark Longo, Betty Lugo, Melissa Bonaldes and Steven Finkelstein all took work in the last year from judges they’ve reviewed or could review in the future, an analysis of state court records shows.

 Since 2018, Finkelstein has received 20 court-appointed referee assignments from Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Mark Partnow and six from Judge Lawrence Knipel, court records show.  From 2008 to the present, Finkelstein has raked in at least $271,000 from those and similar appointments, records show. He joined the panel in 2016.

Veteran lawyer Martin Edelman has served as the judicial panel’s chairman since 2004. He noted that several bar associations appoint its members and about one-third of the panel’s members are selected by Democratic Party district leaders.

The panel’s judicial screenings take place the same year judges run for election or re-election. Partnow was re-elected to serve in Brooklyn Supreme Court in 2016, the same year Finkelstein joined the panel. Judge Noach Dear was elected in 2015, and Knipel was re-elected in 2012.

In the last two years, the three judges have directed 28 referee appointments to Lugo, 44 to Longo and 30 to Blank, records show. Blank and Longo have both served on the panel since around 2005, about 14 years, according to Edelman.

Lugo, who’s running for Queens district attorney, served on it in 2015 and 2017. She said she’s not serving on the panel this year, despite the fact that she’s listed on its roster. She said she’s “almost positive” she didn’t review Dear or Partnow as a member of the panel.

Longo, an ethics lawyer and former president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, acknowledged he could see how observers might perceive the potential for a conflict, but said, “In this situation, it’s not the case.”

For Finkelstein, referee appointments haven’t been the only source of court-directed largesse. He’s also received work in Brooklyn Surrogate’s Court as counsel to the Kings County Public Administrator, a post dedicated to dividing the assets of Brooklynites who’ve died without a will. Since getting the job in 2005, Finkelstein has earned more than $6.9 million, court records show.

He said he left the Brooklyn post in 2008 or 2009, but still handles cases in that role when there’s a conflict of interest with a current counsel. The screening panel he sits on also reviews surrogate’s court judges.

Jacobson

In Brooklyn, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for him in court. In 2013, then-city Comptroller John Liu found the Brooklyn public administrator approved “inappropriate” and “excessive” counsel fees — although he did not call out Finkelstein by name in his report. In 2017, former acting-Brooklyn Surrogate’s Court Judge Laura Jacobson slashed Finkelstein’s requests for fees, finding they were “inflated,” court records show.

In a rare move, Jacobson was later deemed “unqualified” to serve as a judge by the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s screening panel and retired rather than mount a re-election bid. She argued in a federal lawsuit against Finkelstein and the screening panel that the rating was “retaliation” for cutting Finkelstein’s fees and that it had a “chilling” effect on other Brooklyn Supreme Court judges.

Her lawsuit was dismissed, and she’s now seeking an appeal.

Judges’ interactions and connections with the Brooklyn Democratic party don’t end with the judicial screening panel and appointments — they continue into the courtroom. Judges Partnow and Knipel are both married to women who work as Democratic district leaders, with Partnow’s partner, Sue Ann Partnow, serving together with the party’s borough leader Frank Seddio as district leaders for the 59th Assembly District. Knipel’s spouse, Lori Citron Knipel, works as a district leader in the 44th AD.

Members of the screening panel, all of whom are lawyers, also belong to law firms that have dozens of cases before the judges they screen. Edelman is co-founder of the law firm Edelman & Edelman, which has at least 17 cases now pending in Brooklyn Supreme Court, records show. The law firm Abrams Fensterman, which employs screening panel member Ethan Gerber and the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s chief lawyer Frank Carone, has at least four dozen cases now pending in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Abrams Fensterman, which also once employed Seddio and has been a generous donor to political causes and judicial candidates, is regarded by many in the legal and political communities as the go-to firm in Brooklyn if you’re looking for an upper hand.

Often, said one Brooklyn courtroom veteran, the firm is brought on in addition to one or more law firms in an “of counsel” capacity.

“If [judges] are on the fence, Abrams Fensterman is certainly going to sway you to where you want to be,” said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of professional retribution. “They put so much money into every single judges’ war chest. They know where their bread is buttered.”

Since 2000, the firm itself has made at least $469,000 in contributions to political or judicial campaigns, state records show. That includes $23,000 to the Kings County Democratic Committee, $1,000 for Sue Ann Partnow’s Pals for Partnow account and nearly $10,000 to Friends of Frank Seddio.

Reinvent Albany is looking to change the way money is spent in political and judicial campaigns by publicly financing them. Camarda said judicial elections in particular are an area in need of reform. 

 

Brooklyn politicos call on county Democratic party to open its books

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-metro-mosley-seddio-brooklyn-golden-corral-20190819-mllzxazaefb4dfpadkc36ozyva-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1lsk6u76aKh4NdZrEpz9DhOrl3ZJuLQ5CjnV0IM1mqnSwEe1ZFPvvWy48

Brooklyn Dem boss Seddio owes big bucks in deal with ‘America’s #1 Buffet and Grill’

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-seddio-brooklyn-democrats-bankruptcy-debt-golden-corral-20190818-oescxynhlvhprpazuhipaetsoy-story.html

Seddio Blasts Mosley, Calls County Dem Finances An Open Book

 https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/seddio-blasts-mosley-calls-county-dem-finances-an-open-book/?utm_source=Kings+County+Politics&utm_campaign=ff72e34d4e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_21_11_45&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_466a6c86df-ff72e34d4e-324302829

judicial Administrators

Fiduciary


Gregory Laspina - Genovesi Partner - Borchert Genovesi Laspino

Judges Knipel  Partnow and Deer




Lopez Torres

(2) Adam Kalish     Partnow   Knipel
9308  Flatlands Ave   Seddio's Home


Maureen Fonti



Stuart Finkelstein - Partnow 

_____________________________________

Laspina
Partnow



(4) Joe Bova     Vaughan
Michael Benjamin

James Caffrey

Laspina



Partnow  - Sol Needle
Benjamin Michael


___________________________________

Betty Lugo  ---Partnow

Joseph R. Vasile (left) was installed as the new president of the Bay Lawyers Assoc
 

Who is Frank Carone

Boss of Bosses Frank Carone 
Chairman of Kings County Democratic County Committee 
Future President of the Brooklyn Bar Association 
Officer of the Columbian Lawyers Association 
Appointed to NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission 
Partner in the Abrams and Fensterman
Chair of the Newly Formed NYS Bar Assoc Committee on Transportation Law 
Board Member of Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council 
RiseBoro Executive Board Member
Founding Board Member of NY League of Independent Bankers
Seddio - Wall Street Mortgage Bankers Which Shares the Same Address With Carone Law Firm Abrams and Fensterman in Lake Success 

For almost a decade, Frank Carone has been counsel to the Chairman of the Kings County Democratic County Committee, where he regularly represents many members of the party and elected officials. Carone is a lawyer for lobbyists and also serves as an Officer at the Brooklyn Bar Association and the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn.  Carone is a founder of multi-state mortgage bank with over 200 employees.  Carone was appointed to the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission and he was also appointed a Chair to the newly formed New York State Bar Association Committee on Transportation Law.  Carone sits on the Board of Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council and he chairs their audit committee.  RBSCC was founded and run by the late Democratic County Boss Vito Lopez and serves 30,000 with  constituents with a budget of almost $100,000,000.  Carone is on the founding advisory Board of the New York League of Independent Bankers (www.nylib.org).  .  Mr. Carone graduated from The School of Mortgage Banking in 1999 and founded a multi-state mortgage bank with over 200 employees that he subsequently merged into a larger mortgage bank.  Mr. Carone has been a member of the New York State Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Brooklyn Bar Association (where he presently serves as First Vice President), The American Association of Bank Directors, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Kings County Criminal Bar Association and the Columbian Lawyers Association.  Mr. Carone joined the founding Advisory Board of the New York League of Independent Bankers and also serves on the Board at the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.  Mr. Carone has been designated a Super Lawyer in Government Relations since 2016, a distinction earned by only five percent of the lawyers in the New York metro area.

Taking over for Former Boss Vito Lopez
Mr. Carone serves on the Board and is Chair of the Audit Committee of the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council (“RBSCC”) (now Rise Boro).  RBSCC is a non-profit which serves 30,000 constituents and has a budget of almost $100 million.  

Arzt is Lobbyist for RiseBoro-an affordable housing non-profit which was originally formed by disgraced Vito Lopez & continues under this new name. RiseBoro is a recipient of the shameful Third Party Transfer foreclosure seizures of dozens of Brooklyn buildings. Frank Carone is an Officer on the Executive Board of RiseBoro as well as a Spokesman cited in the Times for slumlord Poldosky cluster housing building purchase for $173,000,000 by deBlasio.

Arzt is Lobbyist is also paid by the Kings County Democratic Party, Named in the Judge Jacobson lawsuit that that charges the Brooklyn screening panel blocked a sitting judge from reelection for refusing to close LICH Hospital.  Carone and Seddio were both paid by SUNY to close LICH Hospital and Carone's law firm Abrams and Fensterman represents the developer Fortis



Lobbyists Carone Got the Slum Landlords the Podoslky Brothers A Sweetheart Deal with de Blasio 

De Blasio pushes for $173M portfolio deal with controversial landlords. Their lawyer raises money for the mayor.Lawyer Frank Carone, who represents the Podoslky brothers, is a longtime de Blasio allyComptroller subpoenas de Blasio administration over $173M deal with ...https://ny.curbed.com/.../scott-stringer-subpoenas-bill-de-blasio-cluster-site-affordable...Lawyer’s influence with de Blasio’s City Hall evident in hundreds of emails (NYDN)What Frank Carone wants, Frank Carone gets — even if he’s asking the mayor of New York City.
The politically connected lawyer, who emerged this week as a central

Initially, the total value of the buildings was estimated at about $50 million, the New York Times reported. A private appraiser later estimated it at $143 million. City officials said the price rose during the course of negotiations with the Podolsky brothers, who run Amsterdam Hospitality Group.


Architect Behind the City’s $173 Million Real Estate Deal with the Notorious Podolsky Brothers, has enjoyed unfettered access to City Hall since Mayor de Blasio took office in 2014, the Daily News has learned.
He and the law firm he works for, Abrams Fensterman, have represented many other clients mired in controversy, or with business before the city — or both.

They include the Allure Group, which was at the center of the Rivington House scandal that plagued de Blasio’s first term; the Fortis Property Group, the buyer in the controversial Long Island College Hospital deal; and Haysha Deitsch, the developer who had to pay out a $3.4 million settlement for evicting seniors from a Brooklyn nursing home.


More on Carone and


Carone’s most well-known clients at the moment are the Podolsky brothers. They pleaded guilty to dozens of felonies in 1986 in relation to their treatment of tenants in their properties.
In 2016, Homeless Services Commissioner Steve Banks contacted Carone about the city’s intention "to take the steps necessary” to acquire 17 cluster-site buildings in Brooklyn and the Bronx through eminent domain. In 2018, the city made its intention to buy those properties public, but failed to mention who owned them — the Podolskys — and who represented the owners — Carone, who funneled $5,000 to de Blasio through his Fairness PAC.
In January, The News revealed the Podolskys were behind the deal, and in the subsequent weeks, broke the news that the city would shell out $173 million for the 17 buildings, despite two wildly divergent appraisals that listed the properties’ value alternately at $49 million and $143 million.

De Blasio's Latest Sleazy Deal for Well-Connected Landlords ... first term, he didn't pay a price for his massive giveaway to a downtown condo developer, ... Blas donor Frank Carone represents the sellers.

De Blasio's latest sleazy deal for well-connected landlords
https://nypost.com/2019/04/.../de-blasios-latest-sleazy-deal-for-well-connected-landlor...- In his first term, he didn't pay a price for his massive giveaway to a downtown ... brothers Jay and Stuart Podolsky to purchase 729 apartments in 21 buildings ... Two years ago, after a radiator explosion in a similar cluster-site ...
Who Contributes to the Fairness PAC


For years, hundreds of the apartments in the Podolskys’ buildings have been used by the city to house homeless families, as part of the porous and controversial cluster-site program. Under the deal, nonprofit groups will convert them to permanent affordable housing and own and operate them. [NYT] 

Money for de Blasio's Presidential PAC From Carone While He Was Making the Podoslky Deal

Lawyer Frank Carone, who represents the Podoslky brothers, is a longtime de Blasio ally Comptroller subpoenas de Blasio administration over $173M deal with ...
https://ny.curbed.com/.../scott-stringer-subpoenas-bill-de-blasio-cluster-site-affordable...

Amid the negotiations with the Podoslky Brothers, Carone donated the maximum $5,000 to the mayor’s federal political action committee, Fairness PAC, which he’s using to explore a presidential run. Heading in to the closing of the deal, Carone also solicited other donors. Both de Blasio and Carone said they had not discussed the real estate deal.

Carone & Seddio Make Judges and Breaks Judges Like Judge Jacobson
Judge Jacobson Ruled to Keep LICH Hospital Open When Seddio's and his Law Partner Carone Was Trying to Close the Hospital Working for SUNY
Carone Law Firm Abrams 

Nurses’ court order throws wrench into NYU’s LICH plans in Brooklyn (Daily Eagle, 2014)  SUNY attorney Frank Carone told Justice Jacobson that SUNY “tried to meet with NYU yesterday, but were unsuccessful.” He assured the judge that SUNY was “committed to the content and objectives of the RFP,” and supports the “full employment of the nurses.” “I’m sure the nurses in the courtroom are very happy to hear that,” Justice Jacobson said. 

Column: Smiling while stabbing LICH in the back, by George Fiala ...

Jul 30, 2016 - ... the defense lawyer for SUNY Downstate turned out to be Frank Carone, ... that would include a full service hospital in it's development plans.

lobbyists: Judge Jacobson Who Was Dumped By Boss Seddeo Files A ...

Sep 19, 2016 - The developer plans to demolish two buildings on the site and either .... wherein Mr. Carone insited that Judge Jacobson not enjoin SUNY, Judge ... LICH plans in Brooklyn (Daily Eagle, 2014) SUNY attorney Frank Carone ...

Senior Home

With $3.35 Million Deal, 5 Holdouts Will Leave a Brooklyn Seniors ... Jun 2, 2016 - Frank Carone, a lawyer representing the owner, the developer Haysha Deitsch, said the settlement would allow his client to move forward, ...

Scandal-plagued Park Slope senior center will become rentals ...

https://ny.curbed.com/2017/9/.../park-slope-senior-center-prospect-park-haysha-deitsc...

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Sep 13, 2017 - The long, complicated (and often very sad) saga concerning the Prospect ParkResidence nursing home looks to be coming to a close under ...

Controversial Developer Of 'Deplorable' Prospect Park Residence ...

https://bklyner.com/controversial-developer-of-deplorable-prospect-park-residence-de...

Jun 16, 2016 - The drama began in 2014 when the developer threatened to evict the ... Deitsch's attorney Frank Carone plans to fight the lawsuit, however he ...

Building in the Park

Settlement Reached Over Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park | Brownstone

     

May 28, 2015 - ... the community a full review consistent with law,” said Frank Carone, the ... Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pierhouse Developer Over Height, Views.

Housing Battle in Brooklyn Bridge Park - WSJ

Jul 17, 2014 - ... Court in Brooklyn on Friday, said Frank Carone, a lawyer for the neighbors ... a spokeswoman for Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp., ...



RiseBoro Vs Elizabeth St Gardens

RiseBoro as the Affordable Housing partner to the Elizabeth St Gardens that the community has been fighting. It's an HPD lot-enjoyed by the community as a neighborhood garden respite- now being handed over for 'affordable housing' to RiseBoro 

https://ny.curbed.com/2017/12/8/16751036/haven-green-elizabeth-street-garden-nolita

    "But the city remains undeterred; on Friday, HPD and HDC announced that it had selected Pennrose Properties, LLC, Habitat for Humanity New York City (Habitat NYC), and RiseBoro Community Partnerships, Inc to develop the project, known as Haven Green..." 

Third Party Transferres

https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/tpt-horror-stories-aired-at-packed-borough-hall

            “In Dec 2017, over 60 properties were bundled before Kings County Supreme Court Judge Mark Partnow who made a foreclosure judgement on them for the same date. 

Kelley also said that the favored non-profit, RiseBoro, which took over ownership of the property  in September 2018, has yet to do any repairs.

“We have a leak in our basement from the boiler  that began about 2 ½ months ago that RiseBoro caused and still has not  repaired, it is ruining the basement. The repair people that they send out are not licensed they are just repair people. Our boiler runs on manual which means we ourselves have to turn it on and off.  Every 21-25 days we are out of oil so we have no heat or hot water. If we do not inform them we need oil they would never know. I have called our property manager on several occasions and no one has called us back,” Kelley said.”

Partnow vacating his judgment for only 6 properties...was ‘shocked-shocked’ but these 6 were taken back from the non-profit Neighborhood Restore and not RiseBoro?!?-I see no evidence that the remaining seized properties that the Judge foreclosed on were vacated-some of which, though I don't know the number- HPD handed over to RiseBoro.

https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2019/03/29/stolen-brooklyn-homes-to-be-returned-after-judge-slams-city-housing-program

Bottom line...Carone is connected to deBlasio

                       Carone is connected to RiseBoro as an Officer/Director

                       Judge Partnow Wife is Seddio's Co District Leader for 59th Assembly District

                       Carone's law partner Fensterman has been the LI fund raiser for deBlasio

                       Partnow foreclosed on 60 buildings and homes-seized by the City

                       Some of them were handed over to RiseBoro via BDBs Housing Preservation & Development aka HPD

                       RiseBoro was Vito Lopez' non-profit -original name was but there was a name change after the Lopez scandal                      https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn-nonprofit-founded-pervy-ex-pol-article-1.3505083                                                

                       RiseBoro continues to be the recipient of HPD/City property in contravention of neighborhood self-determination-Elizabeth St Gardens, as well as the Brooklyn Triangle neighborhood fight, as well as the beneficiary of seized/foreclosed buildings in the case illustrated above-by Partnow.        

3)RE Third Party Transfer-TPT-

 https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/city-takes-property-from-working-class-latinos

‘Unbeknownst to all these tenants, while they were doing all this is that they no longer owned the building. That’s because 19 Kingsland Avenue was part of a bundled foreclosure judgement that also included about 60 other properties across the borough before Kings County Supreme Court Judge Mark Partnow on Dec. 14, 2017 – just two weeks before Christmas.’             

 History on RISEBORO

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn-nonprofit-founded-pervy-ex-pol-article-1.3505083   “Brooklyn nonprofit founded by disgraced ex-N.Y. Assemblyman Vito Lopez announces name change”

A) RISEBORO Homecare as par ProPublica Non-Profit website:

          #990 2017 Tax Exempt Form as a Non-Profit Carone is an Officer-$38,000,000 revenue

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/112521680/201841359349307799/IRS990

          Schedule R –Related Orgs & Unrelated Partnerships:

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/112521680/201841359349307799/IRS990ScheduleR

B) RISEBORO Community Partnership Inc

          #990 2017 Tax Exempt Form ‘under audit’

https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/112453853

          TPT/Third Party Transfer scandal-going on now

https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/court-cases-could-determine-third-party-transfer-programs-future

Attorney’s for the city stated in State Supreme Court that they are concerned if they lose upcoming litigations over a controversial city housing program, it may result in tens of millions of dollars of properties being returned to their owners.

The cases involve at least two and maybe more of the 63 properties the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) seized in 2017 with no equity given from mainly black and brown property owners and given to connected non-profit and for-profit developers under the ruse of keeping the buildings affordable.

All the cases involve HPD’s Third Party Transfer program as chronicled in an ongoing KCP series.

https://pix11.com/2018/12/11/new-yorkers-in-debt-losing-their-homes-as-part-of-program-designed-to-preserve-quality-affordable-housing

Scott Short is the CEO of RiseBoro Community Partnership, one of the community groups that gets the in-debt buildings back on track.

"In all cases we have been able to return tenants to apartments that have rents that are affordable to them through this program," Short said.

Since 1999, more than 500 buildings made up of more than 6,000 units have entered the TPT program. This year there were more than 60 properties. While many of the buildings are larger apartment buildings and co-ops, Adams says it's the two and three family homes that caused him to raise an eyebrow.

https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/tpt-horror-stories-aired-at-packed-borough-hall

Kelley also said that the favored non-profit, RiseBoro, which took over ownership of the property  in September 2018, has yet to do any repairs.

“We have a leak in our basement from the boiler  that began about 2 ½ months ago that RiseBoro caused and still has not  repaired, it is ruining the basement. The repair people that they send out are not licensed they are just repair people. Our boiler runs on manual which means we ourselves have to turn it on and off.  Every 21-25 days we are out of oil so we have no heat or hot water. If we do not inform them we need oil they would never know. I have called our property manager on several occasions and no one has called us back,” Kelley said.

https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/ball-is-in-partnows-court-on-crucial-tpt-decisions

“Kings County Supreme Court Judge Mark Partnow is in the process of making a ruling on the city’s taking of two black- and brown-owned properties, and giving them in sweetheart deals to connected non-profits that stand to make millions of dollars in redevelopment fees.”

https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/12/05/sue-ann-partnow-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-canarsie

 “By day, Partnow is the director of the senior center at the Jewish Association Serving the Ages (JASA), an organization devoted to keeping senior citizens important pieces to their neighborhoods. By night, she is one half of the district leaders for the 59th District, along with Hon. Frank Seddio as her male counterpart.

Partnow does a lot of work with the Brooklyn Democratic body as district leader. The job of a district leader includes choosing the Brooklyn Democratic Party leader, nominating the Democratic judicial candidates, endorsing candidates and representing Brooklyn at the New York State Democratic Convention. 

Partnow is also an executive member of the district leader’s own group, the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, which meets every Thursday night. Through the club, Partnow is able to listen to local concerns from neighbors.”

Partnow vacating his judgment for 6 properties...was ‘shocked-shocked’ but these 6 were taken back from the non-profit Neighborhood Restore

https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2019/03/29/stolen-brooklyn-homes-to-be-returned-after-judge-slams-city-housing-program

https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/courts-rules-against-city-millions-of-dollars-of-wealth-restored

What about the others seized?

https://www.bkreader.com/2018/09/28/its-highway-robbery-brooklyn-senior-residents-protest-as-city-seizes-their-homes

“And there are at least 60 other black senior homeowners in Brooklyn who have experienced similar scenarios, Caldwell stated.”

60 BUNDLED Foreclosures ruled on by Partnow:

https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/city-takes-property-from-working-class-latinos

Unbeknownst to all these tenants, while they were doing all this is that they no longer owned the building. That’s because 19 Kingsland Avenue was part of a bundled foreclosure judgement that also included about 60 other properties across the borough before Kings County Supreme Court Judge Mark Partnow on Dec. 14, 2017 – just two weeks before Christmas.

Seddio Refinanced Both of the Mayor's Homes in 2012 After They Both Joined Forces to Elect A Council Speaker

In 2011, Seddio and longtime law partner Frank Carone, who serves as counsel to the Brooklyn Democrats, joined the law firm Abrams Fensterman, which shares a Lake Success, LI, address with the mortgage company.  Seddio has since left law firm. NYP

De Blasio has refi ties to Dem boss key to Viverito bid (NYP)

Mayor de Blasio’s ties to the Brooklyn Democratic boss he teamed up with to anoint the next City Council speaker run all the way to Hizzoner’s doorstep, The Post has learned.

Since 2012, de Blasio has refinanced both homes he owns in Park Slope through the firm where Brooklyn Democratic leader Frank Seddio formerly served as vice president — Wall Street Mortgage Bankers.

Public records show that the most recent deal came just three days after de Blasio’s primary victory on Sept. 10, when he refinanced his 11th Street home with the firm for $625,000.

In June 2012, he had refinanced another home his family owns down the block with Wall Street Mortgage Bankers for $630,000.

Mayor de Blasio’s ties to the Brooklyn Democratic boss he teamed up with to anoint the next City Council speaker run all the way to Hizzoner’s doorstep, The Post has learned.

Since 2012, de Blasio has refinanced both homes he owns in Park Slope through the firm where Brooklyn Democratic leader Frank Seddio formerly served as vice president — Wall Street Mortgage Bankers.

Public records show that the most recent deal came just three days after de Blasio’s primary victory on Sept. 10, when he refinanced his 11th Street home with the firm for $625,000.

In June 2012, he had refinanced another home his family owns down the block with Wall Street Mortgage Bankers for $630,000.

n 2011, he and longtime law partner Frank Carone, who serves as counsel to the Brooklyn Democrats, joined the law firm Abrams Fensterman, which shares a Lake Success, LI, address with the mortgage company.

Seddio has since left law firm.

Asked about the refinancing deals, de Blasio aides said it was a coincidental case where de Blasio’s broker used Carone’s brother as the title guy and referred him to Wall Street Mortgage Brokers.

They declined to provide the rates of the loans.

Last month, de Blasio got Seddio to break from the Queens and Bronx Democratic leaders to back East Harlem City Council member Melissa Mark-Viverito for council speaker, according to multiple sources.

The fiercely liberal Mark-Viverito, a longtime ally of de Blasio, was the first member of the council to back his seemingly long-shot bid for mayor.

Seddio’s support is said to have swayed enough council members to give Mark-Viverito 30 votes — four more than the 26 needed to become speaker in Wednesday’s scheduled vote.

“It’s a good, working relationship,” de Blasio said when recently asked about his ties to Seddio.

In return, Seddio was promised powerful council chairmanships for his Brooklyn members, according to sources, and is expected to get a large say in who staffs back-office positions in the council.

Seddio and Carone did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Frank Seddio’s St. Joseph’s Day is a throwback to old Canarsie

Growing up in Canarsie meant that St. Joseph’s Day was always a big celebration for Hon. Frank Seddio. So when he and then-law partner Frank Carone started a law firm together in 2007, they wanted to recapture some of that old neighborhood spirit and started a tradition that has stretched for 11 years now.

Seddio Thanks Carone 

Every year Seddio, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, invites about 500 people from Brooklyn, Including Judges, politicians and neighbors, to his house on Flatlands Avenue to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day.

Frank Carone-lately in the news about the Poldosky slumlord sale of cluster house buildings-an overpriced purchased by pal deBlasio-just also happens to be an Officer/Director of Riseboro-the 'affordable housing' entity getting the contract for the Elizabeth St Gardens appropriation, facilitated by HPD. Please see the attachment.

Riseboro (formerly a Vito Lopez org. before their sanitized new name) as it turns out, is the recipient of the controversial Brooklyn Triangle rezoning...as well as the contractor for some of the scandalous TPT Brooklyn home foreclosures given to them in gangster-like theft...also via HPD.

So, I'm sending, as an fyi, my research-admittedly haphazardly laid out-but the essence of it is that as you well know, Carone & his Fensterman-Seddio law partners run the Brooklyn courts and have their tentacles in the city Administration as well as in Albany...i.e. LICH. The 'affordable housing' scam that actually has fast-tracked gentrification has been a Trojan Horse cover to reward deBlasio's pals-the "FairnessPAC" is yet again pay-to-play insurance money for the gangsters who call the shots.


Taxi Corner 

Federal Judge Hall and Carone were on the Taxi & Limousine commission at the same time.

At Gillibrand’s Recommendation, White House Formally Nominates Lashann DeArcy Hall For U.S. District Court Judge, Eastern District Of New York

Abrams Fensterman Partner Frank V. Carone and his fellow NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission Board Members preside over monthly public hearing

TLC Commissioners

Created in 1971 by Local Law No. 12, the Taxi and Limousine Commission is a Charter-mandated agency, the purpose of which is the continuance, further development and improvement of taxi and for-hire service in the City of New York. The Commission is also responsible for licensing and regulating for-hire vehicle, commuter van and wheelchair accessible van services as it relates to the overall public transportation network of the city; to establish taxicab rates, standards of service, standards of insurance and minimum coverage; standards for driver safety; standards for equipment safety and design; and standards and criteria for the licensing of vehicles, drivers and operators engaged in such services.
The Commission's Board consists of nine members, eight of whom are unsalaried Commissioners to be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the city council; five of said members, one resident from each of the five boroughs of New York City, shall be recommended for appointment by a majority vote of the councilmembers of each respective borough. The salaried Chair/Commissioner presides over regularly scheduled public Commission meetings, and is the head of the agency.

Deblasio Mortgages done by seddio and Carone

Since 2012, de Blasio has refinanced both homes he owns in Park Slope through the firm where Brooklyn Democratic leader Frank Seddio formerly served as vice president — Wall Street Mortgage Bankers.
Public records show that the most recent deal came just three days after de Blasio’s primary victory on Sept. 10, when he refinanced his 11th Street home with the firm for $625,000.
In June 2012, he had refinanced another home his family owns down the block with Wall Street Mortgage Bankers for $630,000.
Each home has been refinanced multiple times, according to public records.
Seddio, a former state assemblyman who briefly worked as surrogate court judge in Brooklyn, joined the mortgage firm in 2007.

In 2011, he and longtime law partner Frank Carone, who serves as counsel to the Brooklyn Democrats, joined the law firm Abrams Fensterman, which shares a Lake Success, LI, address with the mortgage company.
Seddio has since left law firm.

https://nypost.com/2014/01/07/de-blasio-has-refi-ties-to-dem-boss-key-to-viverito-bid/ 

UPDATED: TPT Protestors Decry Brooklyn Judicial System & CM Reynoso (2.2019)

Sherlivia Thomas-Murchinson, one of the leaders of the protest and who lost her family apartment at 248 Madison Street  under the program in 2012, contends the court is a major player in the issue and are making default judgements blindly.

“These judges are not well-versed in what TPT is and they blanketly give these developers and the City of New York, in-rem foreclosures, default foreclosures without even checking to see if the owners were ever properly served. We need to hold these judges accountable when these scam artists come into the courtrooms. I can understand one or two property owners missing their court dates, but it should raise a red flag for any justice when over 63 people miss a court date,” said Thomas-Murchinson.

James Caldwell, one of the organizer’s of the protest and longtime President of 77th Police Precinct Community Council also took the court system and the Brooklyn Democratic Party to task. 
“This protest is to send a message to the court system that what their doing  to black and brown people is totally wrong. There’s no justice for us. They’re just taking our homes and we don’t get an opportunity to represent ourselves. They always ask for us [blacks and Latinos] to vote for them and we assume they are going to do the right thing, but look at what they are doing. They don’t do this to any other communities,” said Caldwell.
Carone strongly defended the Brooklyn judicial system, the County Democratic Party organization and his law firm.
“Kings County is fortunate to have the most incredibly dedicated and talented judges preside over its cases. I would put them up against anyone anywhere. The Party takes its responsibility serious and as such is very proud of each Judge its has supported to election or re-election over the years,” said Carone in an email.
“As for my law firm, we zealously represents each and every client with every breath we collectively take. We do this without hesitation or reservation. While I sympathize, the protesters position is misguided,” he added.

Abrams Fensterman Partner Frank V. Carone and his fellow NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission Board Members preside over monthly public hearing

Last gasp for foes of mayor's taxi plan

 

TPT Horror Stories Aired At Packed Borough Hall

Prominent Brooklyn law firms merge

Boutique law firm Seddio and Carone PLLC merged with larger firmAbrams Fensterman in order to serve their clients better. It willoperate under the name Abrams Fensterman.
It’s exciting. We need a team and infrastructure to service theborough that we love, explained Frank Carone, who also works forthe city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission. He added that hispartner, Frank Seddio, is a retired judge and assemblymember whonow serves as a district leader. Both Seddio and Carone were bornand raised in Brooklyn.