8 The Queens Courier • february 21, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com politics s Cook’s books questioned BY MAGIE HAYES [email protected] Assemblymember Vivian Cook is reportedly under fire for dubious spending, according to the New York Post. The nonprofit group she headed, the Rockaway Boulevard Local D e v e l o p m e n t Corp., allegedly spent over $500,000 in 2006 to buy a plot of land in Jamaica to build a business resource center. However, the area on Rockaway Boulevard still remains vacant. The Post reported that the Port FILE PHOTO Vivian Cook is reportedly under fire for dubious spending. Authority funded the purchase, and agreed to pay the nonprofit $8 million. By 2010, it had paid $2.5 million, but cut off funding after the Post revealed irresponsible spending. After an investigation on the matter, the group shut down. Cook did not return calls for comment. Despite the nonprofit being shut down, they have not yet petitioned the state to dissolve, according to the Post, and therefore owe the city over $12,000 in property taxes for the land. FOLLOW THE MONEY Wills investigated for missing funds C o u n c i l m e m b e r Ruben Wills is under investigation for $32,000 that seems to have disappeared. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is looking at Wills for the missing state-funded money that former State Senator Shirley Huntley put towards a nonprofit group that he headed, New York 4 Life. Investigators are reportedly revving up their probe of Wills following Huntley’s guilty plea for embezzling taxpayer money and falsifying evidence. One insider told the New York Post that Wills is “definitely on everyone’s radar.” In August of 2010, the councilmember submitted a payment voucher to the state Office of Children and Family Services on behalf of New York 4 Life, seeking an advance of $33,000. The office followed suit and provided the funds, according to the AG office. The Councilmember Ruben Wills is under investigation for a missing $32,000. account was depleted, signed by Wills, who did not respond to questions regarding where the money went. Schneiderman’s office issued a subpoena looking for documentation of the spending, but less than PHOTO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK $1,000 was accounted for. Wills did not respond to calls for comment. CD 31 Special Election Richards, Osina both claim victory BY MAGIE HAYES [email protected] Two potential councilmembers, one district. Following the special election late Tuesday, February 19, candidates Donovan Richards and Pesach Osina both declared victory. “While we are still uncertain of the total numbers, when every vote is counted, we will be victorious,” said Osina, an aide to Assemblymember Phil Goldfeder, at his campaign headquarters. Similarly, Richards took to Twitter and Facebook, declaring, “Happy to announce I am the councilman!” As of midnight on election night with 97 percent of precincts reporting, a mere 26 votes separated Richards, former Councilmember James Sanders’ protégé, and Osina, according to unofficial Board of Elections (BOE) reports. The race to fill Sanders’ vacant seat was heated -- and crowded. Attorney Jacques Leandre came up short of Osina and Richards, followed by community activist Michael Duncan, Selvena Brooks, Community Board 8 District Manager Marie Adam-Ovide, Saywalah Kesselly and Allan Jennings. There is a potentially missing memory stick from a ballot scanner, and absentee and paper ballots still need to be counted. A recount could also be in the cards, according to Politicker. Despite the chaotic end, candidates still see a bright future for southeast Queens. Brooks, who conceded before counting ceased, said she believes that the district will emerge stronger and better because of what everyone had done in this campaign and because of the important community issues they highlighted and elevated. There was still no winner as of press time. For the latest results, please see QueensCourier.com. Pesach Osina Donovan Richards BY MAGIE HAYES [email protected]
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