BAD BET!

Firefighter among those indicted in $2M sports betting ring

BRONX, NEW YORK, Mar. 1- Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the arrest and indictment of eight reputed members or associates of an organized crime family, including a New York City firefighter, for allegedly operating a sports betting and loan-sharking operation that generated profits in excess of $2 million a year.

A grand jury indicted seven of the eight defendants on a top count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment. Those seven defendants are: Joseph Sarcinella, 77, of Scarsdale, New York, Frank Mastracchio, 56, of the Bronx, Dominick Totino, 44, of the Bronx, Dominick Pietranico, 81, of Mahopac, New York, Bruno Travostino, 81, of Manhattan, John D’Ambrosio, 54, of Bronxville,  New York, and Thomas McMahon, 29, of City Island, the Bronx.

In addition to the Enterprise Corruption charge, those seven people have also been charged with multiple counts of Promoting Gambling in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, Criminal Usury in the Second Degree, a Class E Felony, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. Frank Mastracchio was also charged with illegal gun possession stemming from the recovery of an illegal hand gun and a sawed-off shotgun during the execution of a search warrant at his home.

An eighth defendant, William Cali, 58, of Bellrose, New York has been indicted on one count of Criminal Usury in the second degree, a Class E Felony offense, and one count of Conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

The crimes alleged in the indictments occurred between December 1, 2009 and June 23, 2011.

The charges in the indictments are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

All of the defendants were arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. 

It is alleged that the defendants, acting in concert with each other and others, ran an illegal sports betting operation utilizing two gambling wire-rooms at 1500 Mace Avenue and 709 East 189^TH Street. The wire-rooms were staffed by workers who manned telephone lines for the purpose of taking bets, managing betting activity, and setting betting lines and spreads. Additionally, a social club at 1480 Mace Avenue was used to pay out on winning bets and  collect on losing bets.

Several defendants also allegedly engaged in loan-sharking by charging at least one debtor hundreds of dollars a week in interest and fines which amounted to a 100 percent interest rate over a one year period.                                

Information gathered during the course of the investigation indicated various ties between most of the defendants and the Genovese Crime Family. It was also learned that one of the defendants, Thomas McMahon, is currently employed as a firefighter with the FDNY.

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Violent week in Bronx

Police Blotter 

By David Greene

MAN SHOT IN BELMONT... 

Responding to a call of gunfire, police discovered a man shot at E. 184 Street and Hoffman Street, at 9 p.m., on February 28. 

The unidentified victim was reportedly shot as he walked with his pregnant wife when he was shot in his leg an abdomen. He was rushed to nearby St. Barnabas Hospital and was expected to recover. No arrests have been made in the case.

PELHAM BAY HOMICIDE... 

Officers from the 45th Precinct, responding to a call of shots fired, discovered the body of a man in his 40s. He had been shot to death at 2825 Wellman Avenue. 

The incident was reported at just after 8:30 a.m., on February 27. The victim was reportedly found inside the doorway of a two-family home. One unconfirmed report stated that the victim's hands and feet were bound.

Police have not yet released the name of the deceased.

TAXI HITS HOUSE IN PARKCHESTER... 

Rescue crews were called to 1403 Taylor Avenue after a car struck a home.

The incident was reported at 8:25 a.m., on Monday, February 27. Members of the FDNY removed the driver who had been pinned in the auto. According to a surveillance video of the crash, the livery taxi driver appears to have gone through a red light, when he swerved to avoid an approaching vehicle.

The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police say no charges would be filed.

DOUBLE STABBING IN WAKEFIELD... 

Police and EMS were called to the scene of a double stabbing in Wakefield. 

The incident was reported at 8:20 a.m., on February 26. Two victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were expected to recover. No other details were available at this time.

BEDFORD PARK FIRE INJURES FOUR... 

Members of Battalion 27 were called to a house fire at 2746 Decatur Avenue at E. 197 Street, at 11:45 p.m., on February 25. The blaze was reported on the first-floor of the five-story building. EMS reported four victims, one reported in serious condition, the other three were said to have only minor injuries. The fire was declared under control after about 30 minutes.

POLICE OFFICER INJURED... 

Rescue crews responded to a police car crash in Soundview. 

The incident was reported at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Olmstead Avenue. One officer was briefly pinned in the crash, which took place at just after 4 a.m., on Saturday, February 25. The officer was removed to a local hospital with neck and back injuries and expected to recover.

ARMED ROBBERY IN FORDHAM... 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to Jerome Avenue and W. Fordham Road for a call of an armed robbery at the location. The incident was reported at 4:10 a.m., on Friday, February 24. Police were reportedly looking for three male Hispanics who fled in a mini van taxi that traveled eastbound on

Fordham Road. Officers at the scene requested the services of the Emergency Service Unit, at 5:25 a.m., to search the rooftop of 49 W. Fordham Road. No arrests have been made and police continue to investigate.

WESTCHESTER SQUARE ROBBERY... 

Police were called to the Westchester Square subway station, where a victim stated they had been robbed in the subway. 

The incident took place at 10:30 p.m., on February 23. Police were reported to be looking for three male Blacks and one male Hispanic, all said to be in their late teens.

BURGLAR NABBED IN NORWOOD.... 

Police arrested on suspect after a reported break in. 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to 3536 Hull Avenue, on February 22. A search conducted by members of the Emergency Services Unit netted the alleged suspect, who

was quickly taken into police custody shortly after the 4 p.m.

incident.

MECHANIC INJURED IN MT. HOPE... 

Police and rescue personnel were called to a garage after a mechanic was injured by a vehicle. 

The accident took place at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, February 21. The victim was conscious  when removed by EMS, but the victim's condition was listed as serious. No other details were available at this time.

LADDER 51 CRASHES IN BRONXWOOD... 

Responding to a two-alarm fire at 957 E. 217 Street, Ladder 51 collided with a mini van at the intersection of Bronxwood Avenue and E. 217 Street. The crash was reported at 1:25 p.m., on Monday, February 20, nearly an hour after the fire had broken out. EMS reported several injuries but could not say if those injuries included any firefighters.

If you have witnessed or have information on a violent crime, you may give your information anonymously by calling 1 (800) 577-TIPS or TEXT: Crimes. ENTER: TIPS577. 

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Violent week in Bronx

Police Blotter 

By David Greene

MAN SHOT IN BELMONT... 

Responding to a call of gunfire, police discovered a man shot at E. 184 Street and Hoffman Street, at 9 p.m., on February 28. 

The unidentified victim was reportedly shot as he walked with his pregnant wife when he was shot in his leg an abdomen. He was rushed to nearby St. Barnabas Hospital and was expected to recover. No arrests have been made in the case.

PELHAM BAY HOMICIDE... 

Officers from the 45th Precinct, responding to a call of shots fired, discovered the body of a man in his 40s. He had been shot to death at 2825 Wellman Avenue. 

The incident was reported at just after 8:30 a.m., on February 27. The victim was reportedly found inside the doorway of a two-family home. One unconfirmed report stated that the victim's hands and feet were bound.

Police have not yet released the name of the deceased.

TAXI HITS HOUSE IN PARKCHESTER... 

Rescue crews were called to 1403 Taylor Avenue after a car struck a home.

The incident was reported at 8:25 a.m., on Monday, February 27. Members of the FDNY removed the driver who had been pinned in the auto. According to a surveillance video of the crash, the livery taxi driver appears to have gone through a red light, when he swerved to avoid an approaching vehicle.

The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police say no charges would be filed.

DOUBLE STABBING IN WAKEFIELD... 

Police and EMS were called to the scene of a double stabbing in Wakefield. 

The incident was reported at 8:20 a.m., on February 26. Two victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were expected to recover. No other details were available at this time.

BEDFORD PARK FIRE INJURES FOUR... 

Members of Battalion 27 were called to a house fire at 2746 Decatur Avenue at E. 197 Street, at 11:45 p.m., on February 25. The blaze was reported on the first-floor of the five-story building. EMS reported four victims, one reported in serious condition, the other three were said to have only minor injuries. The fire was declared under control after about 30 minutes.

POLICE OFFICER INJURED... 

Rescue crews responded to a police car crash in Soundview. 

The incident was reported at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Olmstead Avenue. One officer was briefly pinned in the crash, which took place at just after 4 a.m., on Saturday, February 25. The officer was removed to a local hospital with neck and back injuries and expected to recover.

ARMED ROBBERY IN FORDHAM... 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to Jerome Avenue and W. Fordham Road for a call of an armed robbery at the location. The incident was reported at 4:10 a.m., on Friday, February 24. Police were reportedly looking for three male Hispanics who fled in a mini van taxi that traveled eastbound on

Fordham Road. Officers at the scene requested the services of the Emergency Service Unit, at 5:25 a.m., to search the rooftop of 49 W. Fordham Road. No arrests have been made and police continue to investigate.

WESTCHESTER SQUARE ROBBERY... 

Police were called to the Westchester Square subway station, where a victim stated they had been robbed in the subway. 

The incident took place at 10:30 p.m., on February 23. Police were reported to be looking for three male Blacks and one male Hispanic, all said to be in their late teens.

BURGLAR NABBED IN NORWOOD.... 

Police arrested on suspect after a reported break in. 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to 3536 Hull Avenue, on February 22. A search conducted by members of the Emergency Services Unit netted the alleged suspect, who

was quickly taken into police custody shortly after the 4 p.m.

incident.

MECHANIC INJURED IN MT. HOPE... 

Police and rescue personnel were called to a garage after a mechanic was injured by a vehicle. 

The accident took place at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, February 21. The victim was conscious  when removed by EMS, but the victim's condition was listed as serious. No other details were available at this time.

LADDER 51 CRASHES IN BRONXWOOD... 

Responding to a two-alarm fire at 957 E. 217 Street, Ladder 51 collided with a mini van at the intersection of Bronxwood Avenue and E. 217 Street. The crash was reported at 1:25 p.m., on Monday, February 20, nearly an hour after the fire had broken out. EMS reported several injuries but could not say if those injuries included any firefighters.

If you have witnessed or have information on a violent crime, you may give your information anonymously by calling 1 (800) 577-TIPS or TEXT: Crimes. ENTER: TIPS577. 

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Continuing to Heal

COMMUNITY BOARD

NEWS N’ VIEWS

By

Father Richard F. Gorman

Chairman

Community Board #12 (The Bronx)

I missed you, dear friends and neighbors, these two Tuesdays past.

As many of you are already aware, I had the deep privilege and the distinct pleasure of accompanying New York’s Cardinal-Archbishop, His Eminence Timothy Michael Dolan, Ph.D., D.D., to Rome for the Consistory. A Consistory is an assembly of the Sacred College of Cardinals called and presided over by our Holy Father, the Pope, for the solemn promulgation of an important Papal act, such as the canonization of a new Saint or the elevation of new Cardinals. The Consistory this past week in Rome included in its Agenda both of these purposes. Six new Saints were put forward for formal canonization, two of whom are New Yorkers  --  viz., Blessed Maria Anna Cope (née Barbara), a German woman religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Syracuse, New York and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American laywoman popularly known as “The Lily of the Mohawks.”

Additionally, 22 prelates were created Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, who advise the Pope on essential matters pertaining to ecclesiastical dogma, practice, and governance as well as elect his Successor upon the death of the Successor of Saint Peter. Two Americans figured prominently in this select group of Churchmen  --viz., our own Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, and His Eminence Edwin Frederick Cardinal O’Brien, the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, who was ordained a Priest of the Archdiocese of New York and is a native-born Bronxite. Among his many ecclesial responsibilities throughout his ministry, Cardinal O’Brien, until present the Archbishop of Baltimore, Maryland, was a military Chaplain who served in Vietnam as a Chaplain during the war, a Priest Secretary to the late Archbishop of New York, the Servant of God Terence Cardinal Cooke, and the Rector of Saint Joseph’s Seminary in the Dunwoodie section of the City of Yonkers, New York. He now heads the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, an institution of the Vatican City State comprised of Catholic laypeople throughout the world charged with the task of providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and for all the activities and initiatives that are necessary to support the presence of Christianity in general, and of the Roman Catholic Church in particular, in the Holy Land. In a future column, I hope to share some of the excitement of my experiences in THE ETERNAL CITY and, perhaps, even a picture or two from my trip.

Returning to our beloved Borough of The Bronx and Community Board #12 (The Bronx) last week, I was reminded that the elation and the enjoyment of Rome notwithstanding, there are still more serious and distressing issues that require ongoing attention closer to home. At the regularly-scheduled Stated Meeting of Community Board #12 for the month of February convened Thursday evening last at Town Hall, several

family members and friends of the late Ramarley Graham were present. They were accompanied by a number of members of the New Black Panther Party and individuals who obviously were neither local residents nor Bronxites. With the agreement of my colleagues on the Community Board, I invited all the individuals in this group to address the Community Board and our area residents present for the meeting. As a courtesy to them, I permitted all of those in this delegation to speak absent the customary and standard protocols of signing-in to do so and of limiting their remarks to a maximum of three minutes. It goes without saying that a tremendous amount of grief and anger were articulated and conveyed. Even while this process took no small amount of time and substantially prolonged the meeting, I believe that it was appropriate and constructive to afford Ramarley’s Father and those with him the opportunity to be heard. 

The loss of a child is of unfathomable anguish and unimaginable agony to the surviving parents who must bury their offspring. I have no words that can either adequately comfort parents in such a predicament or even remotely dispel their heartache. Regardless of surrounding circumstances, it is out of the natural order of life that parents should be placed in the position of having to bury a son or a daughter. Ordinarily, the aforesaid sequence is reversed. There is not much that a compassionate person can do in such an instance than to listen to the pained voice of the aggrieved. That, I am so proud to say, the members of your Community Board did sympathetically, empathetically, kindheartedly, and very well. On occasion criticized --  and, I believe, inaccurately and unjustly so  --  by only a few for not being sufficient to the responsibilities confronting them, my colleagues on Community Board #12 (The Bronx) by their deportment last Thursday brought a large measure of calm and sensitivity to a difficult and tender situation. They were right on point and up to the task. I repeat what I said to them at the Stated Meeting of a week ago  --  viz., that I am truly honored to be one of them and of their company.  

From the applause that resounded in the wake of my statement, it is plausible to aver that our neighborhood residents readily concur. The investigation of the circumstances attending the shooting of Ramarley Graham continues as of the date of the composition of this column. It is both my hope and firm conviction that it proves to be thorough, fair, and transparent. I believe this with a great deal of confidence because I have faith and trust in our venerable District Attorney of Bronx County, The Honorable Robert T. Johnson. He is well-known to and by so many of us in Bronx Community District #12, having been the very first African-American District Attorney  --  not only in Bronx County, but in the entire State of New York  --  as well

as the longest serving District Attorney in the history of The Bronx. He is a native New Yorker educated wholly at New York City schools institutions of higher learning who served as a criminal defense attorney for the Legal Aid Society and as a Judge of the Criminal Court of the City of New York and subsequently as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York prior to assuming the Office of District Attorney of Bronx County on 1 January 1989. District Attorney Johnson has dealt with controversial and complicated cases on any number of occasions throughout his exemplary tenure and is not reticent or fearful of exposing the facts that need to come to

light. He will bring forth an indictment if warranted or conclude that one is not justified without regard to criticism and to consequences, political or otherwise. He is an ethical and dedicated public servant who has rightfully earned our trust and I believe that we can all “bet the farm” that he will do what is right in this tragic matter.

In the meantime, let us deliberately and without violence resolve to bring good out of this misfortune and healing out of this heartbreak. Let us ignore incendiary invitations to conflict along with divisive agendas that appeal to our lesser inclinations. It will be a demanding, and perhaps, at times frustrating and exasperating, endeavor to do so, but we can and  --  with God’s help and grace  --

WE SHALL!

Until next time, that is it for this time!

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Pressure or no Pressure?

DA denies statement regarding fatal police shooting

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, Feb. 29- Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson has denied making a statement attributed to him by New York 1 News, that claimed he had said that his office would not be pressured into an investigation regarding the fatal police shooting of an unarmed teen.

The quote was attributed to Johnson during an exclusive interview that was aired and continued to run on the station's web site for almost two weeks.

Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx District Attorney, stated, "He never said that. If you look at the full interview... he never said that, that's the issue."

During the piece the reporter interjected the alleged misquote and it was also written in a headline of an on-line article regarding the fatal shooting of Ramarley Graham, 18, who was shot dead inside his Wakefield home on February 2.

Reed continued, "We have been a part of this investigation from day one, it's all in that interview. It's an active, on-going investigation... our assistants were at the scene. The matter is under active investigation... he never said what was written."

"I don't know if our headline said he won't be pressured, but he did say, 'I won't be pressured by anybody,' any of the sides involved... He said it in essence, obviously I can't give you a verbatim on something that was done two or three weeks ago." said NY 1 reporter  Dean Meminger.  

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Reality check II

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Reality check II: Wakefield Area News By Mary V. Lauro  BRONX, NEW YORK, Feb. 27- Last week we listed a few of our accomplishments, not so much to slap t...

Reality check II

Wakefield Area News

By Mary V. Lauro 

BRONX, NEW YORK, Feb. 27- Last week we listed a few of our accomplishments, not so much to slap the League on its back but to point out that, too often, when we could have used help from our elected officials or the community board, they did nothing more than make speeches or write a letter. Some, for obscure reasons even opposed us. Even so, whatever we did was not for personal gain nor elections, but to benefit the Wakefield and neighboring communities. This was work done gratis, no pension, no time off. We continue now with more of our work this past quarter century.

The League was instrumental in changing regulations for newsstands. They were beginning to crowd our streets. CB 12 did not understand. It opposed our work. We had to travel back and forth into Manhattan and face judges. But, we not only won our case, the regulations were changed.

When it became obvious that real estate agents were participating in block busting Wakefield and other Bronx communities, we went along with Jimmy Vacca to the many meetings he arranged to gain the non-solicitation order from the Secretary of State which prohibited real estate agents from soliciting those who signed up on the non-solicitation order. Vacca was not then a Councilman. There was only lip service from our representatives.

The League was a stakeholder in forming the DA's satellite office of the Crime Victims Bureau at 4101 White Plains Road which handles crime victims and abusive relationships. While that committee has dissolved, the work of the Crime Victims Bureau continues to assist many residents of Wakefield and surrounding neighborhoods.

The League is currently involved with the Bronx Business Alliance to help better the commercial atmosphere on White Plains Rd. It is also involved in Montefiore North's Advisory Board.

Nor, can we omit, the gigantic struggle to establish the current 47^th Precinct Community Council. It was in political hands. The president was Democratic District Leader in our community. It took time and courage to unseat him. No politician would help us and CB 12 was hostile to our effort. We won. Today the 47^th PCC is the best in the City. The League is proud of its involvement.

The Wakefield Civilian Patrol merged with the league in 1988. Though it no longer exists as a car patrol, during its life it stopped crimes in progress, alerted the fire department on a number of occasions and saved lives by bringing medical assistance to those involved in accidents and other emergencies. Today its function is different but, nonetheless, benefits the Wakefield community.

Nor can we end without mentioning the award winning child safety program the League developed during the 80's and 90's. Most of the program was signed into law by Governor Mario Cuomo. Eventually, by fighting with the then NYS Attorney General the League managed to get the Department of Criminal Justice Services to make the McGruff Dog the state's official symbol for Child Safety. Portions of the program are still in operations.

We will explain further and continue our point next week. 



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