Results tagged “fine”

Spotted on Mott between Spring and Prince: a passive-aggressive note to a mysterious anti-pooper scooper! We just can't help but think this note could have been written better, though. It currently reads: "To person whose dog has taken a shit twice this week and you didn't pick it up. I'll be watching. If I catch you it won't go well for you." The threatening tone is there, but it doesn't seem to have that certain... je ne sais quoi. Next time maybe just try to sick the Sanitation Department on the Pooper-trator.

The crane accident that went down at 775 Columbus Avenue yesterday afternoon is going to cost a pretty penny for some involved. The Real Deal reports that "the general contractor, crane owner and operator at Columbus Square face fines of up to $25,000 after a piece of a crane crushed a sidewalk covering."

If you're pregnant, and your baby daddy is being deployed to Afghanistan, and besides, you were totally going to pick up your dog's poop in a minute... should you still be fined $250 for not doing so quickly enough? The Daily News reports that 19-year-old, 9-days-overdue Alicia Fernbacker of Maspeth was slapped with such a fine last week by a sanitation department agent.

Serena Williams will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium this afternoon for the US Open Women's Doubles finals, less than 48 hours after the outburst that eliminated her from the singles draw and gave a whole new meaning to the Kanye West line "an ass like Serena." The USTA gave Williams a slap on the wrist yesterday—a $10,500 fine for misconduct—but said they are still reviewing tapes to see if a stiffer penalty will ensue. Some were calling for Williams to be kept out of today's match or at the very least stripped of her $350,000 singles prize money.

Back in July 21-year-old singer Rihanna was spotted inking up some others at East Side Ink tattoo parlor in the East Village. The problem is that's not so legal when you aren't licensed, so now the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has cited the shop for "operating with an unlicensed tattoo artist on site." Her longtime tattoo artist, BangBang, was the first to get marked by the singer, getting an "R" on his leg. Two other resident artists got the same; the owner says, "She hadn't done that before. We had a blast. It was so funny and cute." The fine could go up to around $2,000—but we're guessing that's pocket change for the singer, and maybe she'll help out her friends—though with all this publicity she's probably already done her part.

A cigar and a cup of coffee go together like tasers and bros, so naturally the Health Department wants to put a stop to it. In June, inspectors investigated Barclay Rex Cigars to check out a complaint that cigar odor was infiltrating the building's upper floors. Though they found no evidence of second-hand smoke trespassing, they were shocked to discover that the owner of Barclay Rex, which has been in business since 1910, was letting smoking customers prepare their own coffee with a $9,000 espresso machine. It's legal for the establishment to permit smoking, but since it lacks a food-service permit, the inspectors issued owner Vince Nastri III a citation, which can lead to fines ranging from $200 to $2,000. Nastri tells the Post, "We didn't survive in business for 99 years by breaking laws. But this is just petty. It's like the city has nothing better to do than worry about me providing my customers with coffee?" And Bill Flynn, a customer who saw the first citation being issued, said, "The government thinks it knows better than everybody; that's the problem." Yeah, next they're going to tell us we can't drink soda, either!

Wednesday night a few Russian women were ticketed $250 a piece for swimming past 6 p.m. at Brighton Beach. The Parks security allegedly threatened to jail them and check up on their immigration statuses. While the Parks Dept. told us that "New York State law does not allow you to swim at your own risk," the swimmers (and eyewitnesses) say that the lifeguards never alerted them that the beach was closing, and simply clocked out without getting anyone out of the water.

Move over, Clementine Lee, the Parks Department has a new Public Enemy #1: The older Russian women enjoying a swim at Brighton Beach—and yesterday a few of them were handed $250 tickets for cooling off in the water. A tipster writes in: "I guess there's a sign somewhere on the boardwalk that says swimming is not allowed 6 p.m. to 10 a.m., but I never noticed it. It's hot, it's August, and some people have to work during official swim hours."

An underage gambler has cost the Atlantic City Hilton Casino over $115,000—the second-largest fine for underage gambling in the city's 31-year history of casino gaming. (Last year Bally's Atlantic City was slapped with a record-setting $157,500 fine for letting an underage customer gamble; the legal age there is 21.) The Hilton's teenage gambler, identified only as "M.R." by the gaming commission, was granted a player's account at the Hilton in 2007 and even given a free room. He was 19 at the time, but gave fake identification indicating he was 24. During the next 16 months, "M.R." traveled repeatedly to A.C. from Brooklyn, and in February 2008, he was arrested at a different casino for underage gambling. Still, the Hilton didn't know his real age until April 2008, when the Gaming Enforcement Division found a record for "M.R." at the Hilton, and notified the casino. But the next day, the casino permitted him to gamble some more, for nearly three hours. Linda Kassekert, chairwoman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, tells the AP, "We have a big concern about it because kids can make themselves look older, and that's problematic." Especially if they get lucky.

Incorrigible State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. owes some $61,000 in fines to the city Campaign Finance Board for his failure to file legally-required disclosure documents when he ran for Bronx Borough President in 2001. Espada previously promised to pay his debt to society (part of it, anyway) on Monday. Today is now Wednesday, and they did not receive the money. When the Daily News dared pester him about it, Espada—presumably speaking through a cloud of cigar smoke while trimming his nose hair—had this to say: "They'll get their money." Espada also owes the state Board of Elections $10,309 in fines for failing to file routine financial disclosure reports. And there's 23 more disclosure reports the state board still wants from the Westchester Bronx representative. Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group calls Espada's behavior "mind-boggling... He should be operating at the highest standards." While we're at it, dogs should stop chasing squirrels, the subway should connect directly to LaGuardia, and donut ice cream sandwiches should be delivered to our offices at once.

Residents of a co-op near Astor Place are fuming over a Buildings Department crackdown on a billboard that brings in $5,000 a month for upkeep on their building. Since 2007, DOB inspectors have issued more than 70 violations, totaling $955,000, against the co-op board, OTR Media and two sign hanging companies for billboards advertising King of the Hill, the Turner Cartoon Network, and now Boost Mobile. The offenses include not having a permit, hanging an ad exceeding 500 square feet and placing the sign more than 40 feet above the curb. Patrick Curley, a member of the co-op board who has lived there since 1978, says a vintage sign from the '30s advertising men's suits used to be painted there, so he thinks the billboard permit should be grandfathered in. But department spokesman Tony Sclafani tells the Daily News it doesn't really work that way: "We will not tolerate any individuals or companies who disregard the law to make a profit."

Remember back when (almost) everyone was in the holiday spirit and poor 'ol Saint Nick got a ticket for double parking? And then he fought that ticket because everyone knows there really is no Santa Claus? Well, he lost the fight. Santa, real-life retired school teacher Chip Cafiero, says he got word of the crushing defeat on Friday. Last November the 60-year-old had double parked to hand out gifts from a horse-drawn carriage (uh oh) at a Marty Markowitz-sponsored event. He says the city can take his $115, but they'll never take his Christmas spirit (and they're totally going on the Naughty List).

The double-parking Santa who got a big 'ol ticket as an early Christmas present is speaking out! The Daily News reports that "he appreciates the outpouring of support, but he won't accept any charity to pay the $115 fine." He doesn't, however, want to pay it himself either. Commonly known as Chip Cafiero, he says he is "very appreciative to hear that so many people want to help him out, but as a matter of principle, we have to fight this ticket." Allegedly he'd like to prove a point about parking in the area; "These meter maids are harassing our small businesses in Bay Ridge, and it is time that we make a stand and fight for what's right. All those people who wanted to help Santa may be getting something a little extra special under the tree this year." Cafiero was dressed as Claus to hand out gifts to children when he was ticketed—so many, including Marty Markowitz, have rallied to support him.

In February of this year, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo crashed Fashion Week and announced an indictment against the former superintendent of the 26th Street Armory who solicited bribes from designer Marc Jacobs. Now TMZ reports that Cuomo has brought his wrath upon Jacobs himself, you know, "for bribing a State official so he could get a desirable venue for his fashion show." Marc Jacobs International has now admitted their guilt and agreed to pay a $1 million fine. The Observer points out that a company spokesperson noted they are “pleased that this matter has been resolved. We have already taken and will continue to take steps to avoid incidents of this nature in the future.” Looks like the designer will have to come up with a thrifty idea for his next showing!

Since September 10th, when blocking the box was changed from a moving violation to a parking violation, the NYPD has issued over 1,000 citations to the tune of $150 each. But some traffic cops have come out against the change because they say they're ill-equipped to deal with traffic stops, which are "one of the most dangerous interactions even police officers engage in," according to Anthony Miranda of the National Latino Officers Association. He tells WNYC that NYPD officers "have specialized training specifically for the purposes of car stops. Traffic enforcement agents do not. They do not even have training in non-lethal weapons." In response, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne released a statement wondering, "Where's he been? Traffic enforcement has always been a difficult and often dangerous job for TEAs and police officers alike, particularly at busy intersections." And with the return of the squeegee men, it's only going to get worse!

The confusion about public drinking continues! It's illegal, but Bloomberg created a huge gray area when in 2003 he declared that wine consumption at Central Park concerts was a-okay. Now Brownstoner focuses in on stoop drinking after a Park Slope man received a $25 open container violation ticket for enjoying a brewskie "after Biden's speech" when a patrol car with an observant cop came by. The officer "explained that if I was behind a fence or gate I would be ok. Since we don't have a gate, the set-back from the sidewalk didn't matter." The NYPD press office hasn't responded to our question about whether stoop drinking is okay yet, so we'll take that as a yes. Besides, in 2005 the NY Times all but encouraged stoop parties.

Drinking in New York has long been reserved for private homes or establishments with liquor licenses (or speakeasys!), but how well is the law enforced when it comes to drinking on a stoop or in a public park? Apparently, and unfortunately, the law is still being upheld very well. A few years back the tabloids wondered why cops looked the other way when it came to Chardonnay swilling audiences listening to the symphony in Central Park, while the beer-drinking crowd at a 9/11 memorial in Rockaway incurred plenty of fines.

Fellow vendors and loyal customers are rallying to the defense of Antonios Dragonas, the 50-year-old pushcart food vendor who may soon be put out of business. For the past 25 years, Vendy runner-up Antonios Dragonas, has been serving his famous lamb shish kebab from the corner of Madison Avenue and East 62nd Street, but now the Department of Health is refusing to renew his license and permit.

Is Luna Lounge the latest casualty of the Department of Health? Eater reports that the venue "was shuttered on Friday and has yet to re-open." Recently another Williamsburg fixture, Sound Fix, was forced to close its doors after being harassed by the DoH -- they told us the irony of being "shut down for not having a food permit - and WE DON'T SELL FOOD! Ice is considered food in the health dept's eyes, I kid you not."

Citing the unsightly damage that pigeon poop does to the city, City Council Member Simcha Felder announced a bill proposal to fine people $1000 for feeding pigeons. Some of Felder's key remarks and findings: "Stop feeding pigeons!" "If people like pigeons... feed [them] in your house and let them crap all over the place in your living room." A pigeon creates about 25 pounds of poop annually. "[The pigeons] may go elsewhere. Let them...