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Manhattan Super Sentenced for Conning 101-Year-Old Tenant Out of $350,000

Manhattan Super Sentenced for Conning 101-Year-Old Tenant Out of $350,000

A Manhattan superintendent, Rosalind Hernandez, has been sentenced to up to three years in prison for defrauding a 101-year-old tenant, Antonio Ruas, out of $350,000. Hernandez, who had gained Ruas' trust and was given power of attorney, exploited his declining health and language barrier to orchestrate a scheme from July 2023 to June 2024. She promised to sell his Chelsea apartment and transfer his funds to Brazil, but instead, she used his credit cards for personal purchases. Ruas, a retired diamond cutter originally from Brazil, returned to New York to find his belongings missing and his mail redirected. The court ordered Hernandez to pay $265,000 in restitution, with the judge condemning her actions as 'heinous' and 'egregious.'
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Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Claus, authorities say

Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Claus, authorities say

Federal authorities say a SantaCon charity fundraiser that flooded New York City with inebriated young people in red and white Santa costumes every holiday season was a con
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Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Kris Kringle, authorities say

Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Kris Kringle, authorities say

Federal authorities say a SantaCon charity fundraiser that flooded New York City with inebriated young people in red and white Santa costumes every holiday season was a con
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Jury selection starts for Harvey Weinstein's latest retrial in a New York rape case

Jury selection starts for Harvey Weinstein's latest retrial in a New York rape case

Jury selection is underway in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial
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ISIS-Inspired Suspects Arraigned on Federal Charges for Gracie Mansion Bombing Attempt

ISIS-Inspired Suspects Arraigned on Federal Charges for Gracie Mansion Bombing Attempt

Two men, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, have been arraigned on federal charges related to an attempted bombing near Gracie Mansion in Manhattan. The suspects, who are self-professed ISIS supporters, face charges including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempted support for a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges stem from an incident in early March when the suspects allegedly tossed explosive devices near the mayor's residence. Both men have pleaded not guilty, and the case is proceeding in federal court.
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Financial Advisor Olof Olsson Accused of Embezzling Millions from Swedish Church in New York

Financial Advisor Olof Olsson Accused of Embezzling Millions from Swedish Church in New York

Olof Olsson, a financial advisor and baker, is accused of embezzling over $3.8 million from the Swedish Church of New York. According to Attorney General Letitia James, Olsson allegedly siphoned donations into a secret bank account over six years while serving as a board member. He reportedly used the funds for personal expenses and a failed business venture. To conceal the theft, Olsson is said to have falsified financial records, making it appear as though the church's investments were secure. The alleged fraud was uncovered by the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau in late 2025, leading to a 24-count indictment against Olsson, including charges of grand larceny and possession of forged instruments.
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SantaCon Charity Fundraiser Organizer Arrested for Fraud in New York City

SantaCon Charity Fundraiser Organizer Arrested for Fraud in New York City

Stefan Pildes, the organizer of the SantaCon charity fundraiser in New York City, has been arrested and charged with wire fraud. Federal authorities allege that Pildes donated only a small fraction of the $2.7 million raised from SantaCon events between 2019 and 2024 to charity. Instead, he is accused of siphoning more than half of the proceeds for personal use, including property renovations, luxury vacations, and extravagant purchases. Pildes is set to appear in Manhattan federal court, where the indictment was unsealed. The case raises questions about the transparency and accountability of charity events.
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SantaCon Founder Arrested for Misusing Charity Funds on Lavish Lifestyle

SantaCon Founder Arrested for Misusing Charity Funds on Lavish Lifestyle

Stefan Pildes, the founder of the SantaCon bar crawl, was arrested on charges of wire fraud for allegedly misappropriating funds intended for charity. According to a federal indictment, Pildes used the money raised from the event for personal expenses, including luxury vacations to Hawaii and Las Vegas, extravagant meals, and a high-end car. The indictment, unsealed in the Southern District of New York, revealed that Pildes spent approximately $124,000 on a luxury apartment in Manhattan and $100,000 on a boutique resort in Costa Rica. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated that Pildes exploited the charitable nature of SantaCon to finance his lifestyle, donating only a small fraction of the $2.7 million raised to charity.
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2 men plead not guilty in alleged Islamic State-inspired bomb attempt outside New York mayor’s home

2 men plead not guilty in alleged Islamic State-inspired bomb attempt outside New York mayor’s home

Two men have pleaded not guilty to charges they brought homemade bombs to an anti-Muslim protest outside New York City’s mayor's home in a failed attempt at a terror attack inspired by the Islamic State group
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New York Doormen Prepare for Strike Amid Contract Negotiations

New York Doormen Prepare for Strike Amid Contract Negotiations

New York City's doormen, along with other residential building workers, are preparing to strike as their union contract is set to expire on April 20. The union, 32BJ SEIU, is negotiating with the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations for wage increases, improved pension benefits, and the continuation of fully employer-paid health care. The potential strike could affect 34,000 workers and impact services for approximately 1.5 million residents across 3,300 residential buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Building management companies are advising tenants to prepare for disruptions, such as taking out their own trash and minimizing deliveries.
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Manhattan's Proposed Bike Lane Redesign Sparks Business Concerns

Manhattan's Proposed Bike Lane Redesign Sparks Business Concerns

The New York City Department of Transportation has proposed a redesign of 72nd Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side, which includes adding protected bike lanes and reconfiguring curb space. The plan aims to improve safety and create a cycling connection from Central Park to the Hudson River Parkway. While the proposal has received community board approval, some local businesses express concerns about potential impacts on deliveries and customer access. The redesign would reduce traffic lanes and install a two-way protected bike lane, along with bus boarding islands and designated parking areas.
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Harvey Weinstein is going on trial again in a New York rape case

Harvey Weinstein is going on trial again in a New York rape case

Harvey Weinstein is going on trial again on a rape charge in New York City, after years of #MeToo infamy, legal peril and prison