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Dean Skelos, former New York State Senate Majority Leader is in court for a retrial from appealed bribery and fraud charges. Charlie Dorego, a social tie to Adam and Dean Skelos, received a no-prosecution deal
Matthew Stephen Shepler
June 27, 2018
New York, NY—Statements and documents revealed the social activity of Adam and Dean Skelos. Adam Skelos was a business professional experienced within the field of sales and management. On December 12, 2012 Adam desired a salary of $75,000.00 (USD) for a position that he applied for through the firm of Administra for the Professionals, Inc. Adam’s experience contained previous employment within Liberty Title and East Coast Power and Gas from 2006-11 with salaries ranging from 65-75k. Eventually, Adam Skelos developed his own strategic firm, Rockville Strategies. There, Adam networked with other companies and established public and private partnerships.
Adam was able to develop social ties with professionals who attained knowledge about policies relating toward the field of medical. As an employee of PRI, Adam Skelos earned an annual salary of $78,000.00 (USD). Adam’s interpersonal relationships were difficult. He didn’t generate any business for the firm, and his timesheets were filled out incorrectly. In 2013, Adam received a Certificate of Course Completion from Pohs Training Center with a passing grade of 72percent—during a NY Property and Casualty Insurance Agent & Broker exam, he missed four days of class and tested six times with failed results.
Skelos didn’t take responsibilities seriously—Adam was only required to show up for work two days out of the normal workweek, and wasn’t even meeting company expectations. After suspicions developed, Adam Skelos was investigated by a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who had over seven years of experience—some of that time was spent on the public corrections squad and police corruptions unit. Affidavits for wiretaps and email search warrants were approved by the Federal Judge which granted her authority to monitor telephone calls that took place between Adam and Dean Skelos. The “special agent” was able to attain enough evidence from wiretaps to continue monitoring for a two-to-five month period. Some of that evidence includes recorded statements such as, “I heard you left a hand print on someone’s ass today,” and “… coalition—in control of everything. I’m going to be in control of everything!” At this time, Dean Skelos was a public official serving within the New York State Senate.
Anthony Avella, Jr. a member of the New York State Senate for the 11th District explained Thursday, June 21 that he spent time running for Senate from 2010-11 after he served approximately eight years as a NYC Councilman for the 19th District. Avella explained more that the process is tough, and seeking support and signatures is only part of the job! Senate holds office in two-year terms with re-election possibilities for candidates—every two years, members of the Senate are required to sign a state oath and affirmation documents filed through the Department of State.
Avella explained more that Albany provides a focus on legislation, and drafting of suggested bills that are sent to the Senate floor. The S 5856 bill draft was a suggested bill sponsored by Skelos which passed a floor vote of 57-5. Some bills such as the 421-A pass the assembly, and are sent to the governor. Glenwood Management lobbied the Senate in favor of the 421-A bill.
According to documents disclosed Friday, June 22 the U.S. Department of Justice chose not to prosecute Charles Dorego who had close ties to Dean Skelos. Dorego stated that he was “pressured by Skelos to find Adam a job, and would sometimes feel threatened because of the reputation of the former New York State Senate Majority Leader.” Documents affirmed that Dorego received payments for title referrals that were made on behalf of Adam Skelos.
On June 25, Dorego stated more that he offered Adam title work through AbTech for $20,000.00 (USD) referred. Other referrals were provided for American Abstract Company. When Adam was referred to do title work Dorego expected him to complete the work. Dorego admitted that “Adam made a good impression as a salesman” when he briefed with him in May 2011 with Mark Lieberman—Adam’s father was the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate. Dorego believed that his father’s contacts throughout the state would provide essential aid toward producing an increased number of sales. Dorego became upset with AbTech, as he thought that some of the positions were insulting and didn’t reflect a sales agreement.
Adam Skelos approached the field of sales with statements such as “I look forward to implementing products to every county in New York,” and “New York government works way slower than other state governments.” Some deals relating to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in April 2013, offered a one-percent commission with AbTech. Dorego received $20,000.00 (USD) annual stock options over a two-year period. According to Dorego, Adam made statements such as “if you don’t pay me one-thousand dollars, I’m going to break your legs!” AbTech used marketing strategies and public figures to increase the company’s strategy and potential. For example, “Robert and Bobby Kennedy both had relations with AbTech, as Bobby Kennedy sat on the advisory board.”
Steven Swarzman looked to do business with Adam through Dorego. Glen R. Rink, President of AbTech Industries looked forward to the opportunity if he would accept. Adam was a NYS/NJ representative. Adam began marketing his own brochures to Dorego through email—even though that is the case, Dorego failed to respond. Documents disclosed that 1385 York Avenue (“The Stratford”) produced $675,850.00 (USD) in profits. Andrew Cuomo received $20,000.00 (USD) in contributions on the date of May 08, 2012 and another $25,000.00 (USD) in contributions on the date of January 01, 2014. Other recipients were Schneiderman and Senator Caesar Trunzo—Caesar Trunzo received a contribution of $9,500.00 (USD) on the date September 05, 2008.
Glenwood Management contributed $1million to a three-person law firm, making payments every six months. Title insurance ensures that the insured will have a clean title—loans and purchases were part of the work performed. Premiums required about 15percent for the actual insurance, and another 85percent was retained by the abstract company for sales and underwriting costs. A $357,000.00 (USD) figure produced in December 2010 increased to $1.5million worth of premiums in abstract work. At this time, Inland Abstract began receiving all of Glenwood Managent’s titlework. It was common for Dorego to receive an annual bonus of $50-100k.
Graduate Workers of Columbia (GWC) workers rights forum, September 20, 2017
Matthew Stephen Shepler
September 22, 2017
Upper West Side, Manhattan—Jerrold Lewis Nadler, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and congressman for the 10th congressional district of New York thanked students during a public hearing that focused toward the direction of collective bargaining protections in regards to research and teaching. There, Nadler explained that educational institutions are essential to the economic development of our economy. Most universities are designed to protect the democratic rights of students and researchers.
A decision in August 2016 related toward the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Columbia University—assistants within the fields of research and teaching were provided with legal protection from the NLRB. Research and teaching assistants (commonly referred to as RAs and TAs within the field of academia) have the right to negotiate his or her wage, hours, and working conditions. In similarity, private universities are able to “freely associate and bargain collectively to representatives of their own choosing.” In most cases, RAs and TAs are students and workers that provide a service under the educational institution. According to Nadler, students and workers who are classified as a RA, or TA, are compensated and protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Universities produce millions of dollars for funding and investments, as well as “the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors, creators, academics, and more.” When the democratic rights of a student are protected, technological and scientific innovations begin to develop. Collective bargaining may require university administrators who are trained to improve (i) the working hours of a RA or TA, and (ii) the working conditions of a RA or TA—naturally, employment disputes should become resolved. RAs and TAs should negotiate his or her case with the union representative.
Nadler has petitioned in favor of unionization—even though this is the case, universities such as Columbia, Yale, and the University of Chicago denied unionization to graduate workers. The NLRB could only provide information—public speakers and panelists use terms such as “sexual harassment” and “stronger protection for international students” during public hearings to persuade students to petition toward a direction that supports unionization. Congressman Nadler urged students to contact his congressional office without providing information to other “alternatives” such as (i) a university administrative office, or (ii) the office of Lee C. Bollinger, president of Columbia University. Robin, a female who claimed that she was a graduate worker at Yale, laughed while petitioning toward issues that related to sexual harassment—Robin claimed that students are disrespected, and made a comment that she “fasted for ten days with no food.” Even though this is the case, additional congressional support was provided by Congresswoman Grace Meng, D-NY 6th District.
Congresswoman Meng explained that RAs and TAs are important to the field of academia. As a previous student of the University of Michigan, Meng petitioned toward the direction of bargaining rights for RAs and TAs, freedom of association, and support for current Columbia University president Lee C. Bollinger. Meng explained that she sits on the alumni board, and suggested that Columbia University provides “positive working and research conditions”—Congresswoman Meng stated more that “Columbia can do better!”
Human rights and democratic rights are important, in all cases. According to Nadler, countervailing power will provide aid toward a direction that supports workers, as well as the common public—in this case, RAs and TAs! Congressman Nadler explained more that people in power will most likely abuse power—“the stories that occurred here this morning, and some of them unbelievable … a university of the size and wealth of Columbia...” Labor disputes at a democratic convention? That's almost old news, lets go one day longer!
Manhattan Community Board 8, Landmarks Committee, June 19, 2017
Marymount Manhattan College
Matthew Stephen Shepler
June 22, 2017
On the date of June 19, 2017, the New York City Manhattan Community Board 8, Landmarks Committee considered a proposal for the renovation of an elevator shaft within the 90th to 96th Streets area of the Upper East Side. The requestor argued that the idea was to increase the potential of the elevator services within the building—increasing the height and making the roof accessible to tenants. This idea developed problems that related to removing a water tank that was currently placed over the elevator shaft. The board came to a resolution and a motion that disapproved the proposed renovation.
In similarity, the New York City Manhattan Community Board 8, Landmarks Committee considered proposed work for the Cosmopolitan Club which is located on 122 East 66th Street. The proposal request related toward the direction of a heating and cooling unit—during winter months, the current air unit produced exhaust during heating. Ideally, the new unit would eliminate the need for air conditioning units located on the first and second floors of the building.
Some arguments against innovating the air units of the building related toward an increased size of the unit, as well as noise. The board came to a resolution and a motion that approved the renovation. The new unit will provide better kitchen exhaust and air into the grill area. The requestor was well known for landmarks.
A proposal application for a small, one-story renovation to 144 East End, Henderson Place Historic District was considered as well. The requestor provided a presentation and 30 years of restoration and preservation experience. His reports included previous additions that developed over time and photographs from the 1920s-30s. The proposal for a one-story addition provided a focus toward the direction of roof line railing, a spare room, and bathroom—the idea was to set the addition fourteen feet and ten inches behind the railing.
This solution was disagreeable. Arguments seemed to favor the preservation of the Henderson Place Historic District, as similar additions recreated “the wild west.” Another person commented, saying that he “assumed responsibility of not only a homeowner but a custodian of a beautiful peace of architecture. And I think that people who live in these buildings should respect that tradition!” Afterward, the board came to a resolution and a motion that disapproved the renovation.