Four years ago, then-City Council Member Melinda Katz was on the cover of the NY Post for announcing that she was pregnant via in-vitro fertilization—making her a single mom. Katz, who was also running for City Comptroller at the time, kept the father's identity a secret, "I did this purely through modern technology. It was done in a doctor's office. It was done at my wish and my desire." Now, Katz has revealed the donor was Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa—and now the pair are getting married! more ›

Dirty water dogs, once the stalwart of street dining in this fine city, are being pushed out by hordes of fussy, health-conscious eaters who wrinkle their noses at the prospect of a mysterious tube of emulsified meat. What's taking their place? Organic, grass-fed, sustainably raised, locally sourced, non-genetically modified, nitrate-free, free range tubes of emulsified meat, of course! more ›

The best part of waking up is Rudy in your cup: Mayor of 9/11 Town Rudy Giuliani joined Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa on his radio show earlier this morning. Giuliani was there to chit-chat and lend support to Sliwa, who is taking a hiatus from his many jobs in order to undergo prostate surgery. Giuliani, who has been on a bit of a storytelling kick of late, ripped into two of his favorite targets during the visit: Eliot Spitzer and the Gambinos. "This is like having Hitler as a hero," he said of the upcoming Gotti movie. more ›

18 years ago Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa was allegedly shot by one of John Gotti Jr.'s crew members as payback for trashing the don on his radio show [pdf]. To mark the anniversary, Sliwa will be appearing in Gotti Jr.s' old stomping grounds in Little Italy on Father's Day as "King Cuomo II," to parody the Attorney General's gubernatorial bid and mock Cuomo's girlfriend Sandra Lee's controversial lasagna. more ›

Adding some fun to the expected activities—like nominating Andrew Cuomo for Governor— at the NY State Democratic Convention in Rye was Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa, but as his alter-ego "King Cuomo." According to City Room, "Mr. Sliwa derided Mr. Cuomo for the political advantages he has enjoyed as the son of Mario M. Cuomo and satirized Mr. Cuomo’s aversion for extended dealings with the press... Mr. Sliwa said, 'From now on, scribes, understand this: I will make myself available on a random basis for those of you who choose to be sycophants, toadies and lackeys.'" And when he was hauled out by security, he said, "Get your hands off--do you not know I am your king?" more ›

He came for our cigarettes, he came for our sugar, but Bloomberg's new National Salt Reduction Initiative has got New Yorkers pissed. During NY1's "Political Rundown" last night, Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa and co-host Gerson Borrero locked horns over the issue, which resulted in Sliwa pouring Morton's down his throat and declaring "You're gonna have to pry this salt out of my cold, dead hand." He keeps it in his mouth for at least a minute before most likely spitting it out, but either way, he's still alive. Watch the full video here. The salt clip starts around 9:10, complete with "nazi" accusations and Sliwa confusing Borrero for a Mexican. more ›

John Gotti Jr. pleaded not guilty once again to two new murder charges. Though the feds could have opted for the death penalty, they won't be. Gotti Jr. has been tried on other murder and racketeering charges many times before without a conviction. Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder who was allegedly targeted by Gotti Jr.'s henchman, told NY1 that he hopes the Gambino family scion finally stays behind bars, "I've got the target on my back, but you know something, I still walk those neighborhoods. I still deal with those cafones. Those guys, they threaten to bend my leg and stuff it in my pocket but I'm going to continue to talk what has been the truth for years." more ›

Despite his claim that he had kidney stones that were more painful than going into labor, John Gotti Jr. was denied bail yesterday as he awaits his racketeering trial to start this September. A judge in Manhattan federal court yesterday said that there was no amount he could set bail at that "can reasonably assure the presence of the defendant and the safety of persons in the community." The Daily News said that Gotti showed up in court "in greenish prison garb that resembled hospital scrubs" and the paper agreed with Junior's claim that stones were more painful than childbirth. Also taking Gotti's side was arch-nemesis Curtis Sliwa, who nonetheless seemed to take glee in knowing how much pain the mob boss was in. Sliwa said, "I'm hoping they come at a prolific rate ... He can't have enough pain." Gotti's lawyer said that they do not plan to appeal the bail denial and that he believes his client has now fully passed the stones while he's been behind bars. more ›

Guardian Angels founder and NY1 personality Curtis Sliwa claims that Junior Gotti threatened to kill him while the two were in Manhattan federal court yesterday. Right as Gotti's pre-trial hearing for racketeering conspiracy was breaking, Sliwa claims Gotti turned to the radio host who was in attendance and said, "You're going down." Sliwa shot back, "F*ck you!" But Gotti's lawyer told reporters that his client was saying, "He's going down" to a nearby friend that he was meeting downstairs. Capice? Sliwa may have been a little on edge (even for him) as he mentioned that Friday is the anniversary of the 1992 incident where he was shot twice and kidnapped, only to escape out of a speeding cab. He thinks it was set up by Gotti due to Sliwa's AM onslaughts against the Gambino crime family. Gotti might really be smirking widely now since a judge told prosecutors they need to present some new evidence to dispute Gotti's claim that he gave up a life of crime in 1999. more ›

If your actions helped lead to what many called the biggest mob bust in two decades, would you be showing your face in the five boroughs for the Five Families to see? Well, Joseph Vollaro, who is supposed to be in witness protection, seems to live life to its very edge, as the Post reports he "brashly strolled into a Staten Island sushi restaurant Saturday night," picking up take-out. more ›

After a video of a man being harassed and beaten by a group of teens was publicized by The Smoking Gun, some wonder if the tape is real. The main reason why most people suspect it could be staged is because the teen who filmed the incident is an aspiring filmmaker. Seventeen-year-old Kadejra Holmes told The Smoking Gun she didn't have anything to do with the attack and then took the video off YouTube. Her... more ›

Ha! Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa wants to take John Gotti Jr. on his offer. Gotti Jr., who was unsucccessfully tried three times for allegedly shooting and kidnapping Sliwa, told reporters on Tuesday that he'd take a polygraph test "on national TV" if the FBI agent who spread rumors that Gotti was becoming a government informant was charged. Last night, Sliwa said on NY1's Inside City Hall - holding a bunch of cash, "John Gotti,... more ›

John Gotti Jr. interrupted his lawyer and spoke with reporters after appearing at Federal Court in White Plains yesterday. Gotti, reacting to a 2006 story in the NY Post which claimed he was becoming a government informant, became angry and said that his family was scared of a possible mob hit:My family lives in fear as a result of this. What happens next? Tell me, what happens next? Does it make it all better if... more ›

Now that WABC-AM has announced the return of Don Imus to radio airwaves starting December 3, their morning programming is shifting. In fact, Ron Kuby, who with Curtis Sliwa, co-hosted the station's morning drive program, was asked not to come to work starting today in anticipation of Imus' arrival! more ›

Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro placed a full page ad in the Staten Island Advance blasting Staten Island D.A. Daniel Donovan. Molinaro called the trial and the sentencing of his 18-year-old grandson Steven to 5 years in jail a "miscarriage of justice." more ›

A look at some noteworthy television this week: more ›

The Post updates the story about the kid whose mom wants him held back a year! Anthony Hassell's father Victor Raimo called Post reporter Chuck Bennett to complain about his estranged wife's tactics discussing their son's 60.53 seventh grade average. more ›

John Gotti Jr., son of Gambino mob boss John Gotti and long suspected of still being in the mob (even though his last trial ended in a mistrial) tells the Post he's moving out of New York because he's a bit cash-strapped. The Post touts his "don-sizing" of his Oyster Bay mansion - we wonder if any mob lore fans will want to buy Gotti's 1.96 acre home. Gotti Jr. said, "We're going to move out east at first [within Long Island so his son can finish high school], and then, in a year, to Florida or South Carolina, where it's cheaper." Watch out, Dirty South! more ›

In 1979, Curtis Sliwa founded The Guardian Angels with the goal of making the streets and subways of New York safe. Now, 28 years later The Guardian Angels have 86 chapters worldwide in 9 different countries, are providing schools with anti-bully, anti-violence, anti-gang, and anti-drug programs, and educating people about the Internet. Gothamist sat down with Curtis to learn more about what the Guardian Angels have been up to... more ›

Police in NJ have released images of tattoos from one of four murdered women in hopes that someone can identify her. Last week, the women's bodies were found in a ditch behind a motel in Atlantic City, and investigators believe they were killed at different times in the past month and a half. All women had blond or dyed-blond hair and were positioned similarly; two of the women were prostitutes. more ›

Squad 18 Firehouse, by NewYorkDailyPhoto. more ›

Should John Gotti Jr.'s nickname be "Teflon Jr."? Because, for the third time in a year, a mistrial has been declared in the federal government's racketeering case against the infamous mob family figure. The jury sent Judge Shira Sheindlin a note saying, "We have been unable to come to a unanimous decision on all counts." From the NY Times:

The hung jury represents a significant loss for the government, which had been intent on convicting Mr. Gotti, not just for his crimes — but because of his notoriety — which has increased after he avoided conviction in the first two trials, which ended in September 2005 and March 2006. The first jury to hear the Gotti case deliberated for eight days and the second for one and a half days. more ›

- Protests today over the World Trade Center Memorial more ›

the way it is in the movies! Here's testimony from Michael DiLeonardo, Gambino loan sharker and star government witness, via the NY Times:

He went to an apartment on Mulberry Street in Little Italy, a few blocks from the Ravenite Social Club, home base of the Gambino family. There he waited in a room with four other men, including John A. Gotti, the son of the family boss, to be inducted as "made men" into the family. more ›

- Derek Jeter, the product of an interracial marriage, gets hate mail for his interracial dating habits more ›

After being told to keep working through their impasse, the jury for the trial of John Gotti Jr. told the judge they reached a deadlock, and Judge Shira Scheindlin declared a mistrial. Gotti, son of the infamous John Gotti, was acquitted of racketerring charges but jurors didn't know what to make of kidnapping charges - the kidnapping in question being of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa (when jurors heard testimony of the kidnapping, they were laughing); Gotti and his lawyer were stunned and cried - who says mob men don't show their emotions? Sliwa, who testified against Gotti, says, "I am a dead man walking." Probably, but Gothamist imagines the feds will try to half-heartedly protect him. And Gotti can't be so stupid as to try to put out another hit on him...can he? more ›

- And the Metropolitan Museum of Art will be open on Labor Day - send your parents/ friends/ out-of-town visitors there when you need a break! Or go yourself, as you've been putting it off all summer! [Thanks, Newyorkology] more ›

- New Yorkers have more diseased hearts than we should. Is it the stress, dirty water dogs, and sloth-like existence or are doctors misattributing the problem. more ›