TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014 • 18 Former LIC Business Leader Pays For Bank Fraud Scheme The former chief investment officer of a Long Island Citybased construction supply company was sentenced to spend more than three decades in federal prison for his role in a bank fraud scheme. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said Rodney Watts, 42, of Bronxville—who previously worked for GDC Acquisitions LLC—was sentenced last Thursday, Apr. 24, in federal court in Brooklyn to 37 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. As part of the sentence, Watts was ordered to pay more than $15 million in restitution and $18 million in forfeiture. In May 2013, Watts was convicted following three weeks of trial by a federal jury on charges of bank, mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank, mail and wire fraud, and false statements. Watts also served as the chief financial officer of GDC at one time. According to Lynch, these charges arose out of the defendant’s scheme to defraud Amalgamated Bank, GDC’s asset-based lender, of $21 million in fraudulent loans. Watts’ co-defendant, Courtney Dupree, the former chief executive -SEE FRAUD ON PG. 54- Alleged Ridgewood Mugger Collared Helped Group Rough Up Male In Robbery Bid and stopped Sanchez; the unidentified suspects fled from the scene. The victim was treated for numerous cuts and other minor injuries, prosecutors noted. P.O. Jeffrey Rogers of the 104th Precinct took Sanchez into custody on charges of second- and thirddegree attempted robbery, third-degree assault and harassment. According to court records, the suspect was arraigned later that day in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Erica Koenderman, who released him without bail. Sanchez is scheduled to return to court on June 10. by Robert Pozarycki Police collared a Bushwick teenager who allegedly worked with several unidentified muggers to attack a male victim on a Ridgewood street early on Sunday morning, Apr. 27, it was reported. Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as 18-year-old Eduardo Sanchez of Menahan Street. According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the mugging occurred at about 2:30 a.m. at the corner of Seneca and Gates avenues. Reportedly, the victim was walking through the area when Sanchez and a group of unidentified male suspects approached him. Police said they demanded property from the victim and ordered him to empty his pockets. Seconds later, according to authorities, Sanchez and his cohorts allegedly went on the attack, punching and kicking the victim about his body. During the mugging, Sanchez reportedly searched the victim’s pockets for property. Members of the 104th Precinct arrived at the scene within seconds TRANSIT NEWS and Updates Metropolitan Transportation Authority The information in this column is current as of Wednesday, Apr. 30. Last minute changes to service and operating schedules may be made at any time after publication. Check www.mta.info for schedule changes. More Disruptions Affect The 7 Line Flushing-bound 7 trains will run express service between Queensboro Plaza and Mets-Willets Point today, Thursday, May 1, from 10:15 a.m. until 3 p.m. These trains will continue to stop at Woodside-61st Street and Junction Boulevard. For service to the 33rd Street, 40th Street, 46th Street, 52nd Street, 69th Street, 74th Street, 82nd Street, 90th Street, 103rd Street and 111th Street stations, take the 7 train to Woodside- 61st Street, Junction Boulevard or Mets-Willets Point, then transfer to a Manhattan-bound 7 train. For service from these stations, take the 7 train to Junction Boulevard, Woodside-61st Street or Queensboro Plaza, then transfer to a Flushing-bound 7 train. Additionally, due to scheduled maintenance, 7 train service between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square- 42nd Street will be suspended this weekend, from 2 a.m. Saturday, May 3, until 5 a.m. Monday, May 5. During these periods, 7 trains will only operate between Queensboro Plaza and Main Street-Flushing. As alternate service this weekend, For service to these stations, take the 7 train to Junction Boulevard or 74th Street, then transfer to a Flushing-bound 7 train. For service from these stations, take the 7 train to Junction Boulevard or Mets-Willets Point, then transfer to a Manhattanbound 7 train. Weekday J, M Trains Skip Wmbg. Stations Jamaica Center-bound J trains and Middle Village-bound M trains will skip the Hewes Street, Lorimer Street and Flushing Avenue stations on Wednesdays through Fridays from 9:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Friday, May 9. For service to these stations, take the J or M train to Myrtle Avenue, then transfer to a Manhattan-bound J or M train. For service from these stations, take the J or M train to Marcy Avenue (only for riders with Unlimited MetroCards) or Essex Street, then transfer to a Jamaica Center-bound J train or a Middle Village-bound M train. It was noted that Manhattan-bound J trains will end quickstop service at 9:45 a.m. Wednesdays through Fridays until May 9. All Manhattanbound J trains will stop at Flushing Avenue, Lorimer Street and Hewes Street after that time. More Split Service On L Line In Bklyn. L trains will operate in two sections—between Eighth Avenue and Broadway Junction and between Broadway Junction and Rockaway Parkway—on Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9, from 11 a.m. -SEE TRANSIT ON PG. 54- the Q train will operate between 57th Street in Manhattan and Astoria- Ditmars Boulevard on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. For service between Queens and Manhattan, transfer to the N or Q trains at Queensboro Plaza or Times Square-42nd Street or the E or F trains at 74th Street-Roosevelt Avenue. Free shuttle buses will replace 7 trains in Long Island City between Queensboro Plaza and Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue. These buses will stop at Queens Plaza for elevator access to the E or R trains. The shuttle buses will stop at 7 train stations as follows: • Queensboro Plaza—on 27th Street at Queens Plaza South; • Queens Plaza—on Jackson Avenue at Orchard Avenue; • Court Square-23rd Street—on Jackson Avenue at 45th Avenue (to Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue) or at Thomson Avenue (to Queensboro Plaza); • Hunters Point Avenue—on 21st Street at 49th Avenue; • Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue—on Vernon Boulevard at 50th Avenue. Finally, Manhattan-bound 7 trains will skip the 111th Street, 103rd Street, 90th Street and 82nd Street stations on Monday, May 5, through Thursday, May 8, from 10:15 a.m. until 3 p.m. NEW LIEUTENANTS AT W. QUEENS KIWANIS TRAFFIC NEWS and Updates New York City Department Of Transportation Because of ongoing construction work at several locations throughout Queens and Brooklyn, the city DOT has announced numerous street closures in local neighborhoods for the upcoming week. The announced diversions are current as of Wednesday, Apr. 30. The DOT may shut down other roads should the need for emergency repairs arise. Streets and highways that are affected by closures during this week include the following: Lane Closures On Van Wyck Expwy. One of three lanes in each direction of the Van Wyck Expressway between Jewel Avenue and Union Turnpike may be closed on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. due to construction work related to the Kew Gardens rehabilitation project. Additionally, up to two lanes in either direction of the expressway in the same section may be closed on overnights from 1 to 5 a.m. Kew Gdns. Project Affects Union Tpke. Long-term construction related to the state Department of Transportation’s Kew Gardens Interchange project will require the right lane of Union Turnpike eastbound to be closed at all times between 128th and 134th streets. All existing traffic lanes will remain open and are shifted to the left. Lane Closures On Grand Central Pkwy. One lane of the Grand Central Parkway in each direction will be closed between 82nd and 111th streets on weekdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on weekdays. Lane closures will also take place from 10 p.m. Fridays to 7 a.m. Saturdays and from 10 p.m. Saturdays to 3 p.m. Sundays. Two lanes of traffic in each direction may be closed on weeknights from 12:01 until 5 a.m., Saturdays from 1 to 6 a.m. and Sundays from 1 to 9 a.m. Additionally, the left lane in both directions on the Grand Central Parkway may be closed at 44th Street for two nights through Friday, May 2, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow DOT crews to conduct bridge maintenance. Exit Ramp Closed Near Whitestone Br. The Third Avenue exit on the northbound approach to the Whitestone Bridge is closed to all traffic as part of a $109 million reconstruction project. Separate car and truck detours will be in place while the exit ramp is closed. Signs will be in place and -SEE TRAFFIC ON PG. 54- He Doctored Documents To Get Bank Loans JP Di Troia was voted in last Monday, Apr. 21 as lieutenant governor for the Kiwanis Queens West Division, a collection that covers 15 Kiwanis Clubs. The Division has clubs in Astoria, Glendale, Corona, East Elmhurst, Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Forest Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, Woodside and Lefrak City. Clubs in this division have assisted communities in the Rockaway's after Hurricane Sandy and also donated time to many organizations, such as the Ronald McDonald House and Hour Children, and worked on several causes to raise awareness about autism and juvenile diabetes. Pictured from (left to right) are N.Y. State Kiwanis Governor Joe Aiello, Lieutenant Governor-Elect Bob Kueber, Lieutenant Governor-Designate J.P. Di Troia and Current Lieutenant Governor Steve Sirgiovanni.
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