Like Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, Inwood Hill Park has long been known as a popular spot for Santeria animal sacrifices. Joggers have reported seeing mutilated chickens tied to trees, and one assistant Parks Department gardener recently came forward to share her fun story about picking up animal remains in the park. These include decapitated turtles and roosters, plus a cow’s heart with magnets and a picture of a boy and a girl tied around it. Awww. Here's a slideshow of some of what she's found; it's really not as gross as it sounds, but probably not the best lunch accompaniment: more ›

On the heels of former City Councilman Miguel Martinez pleading guilty to stealing over $100,000 from taxpayers via slush funds, word is that investigators are eying the records of other local legislators with the possibility of more busts to come. The News says that "Martinez's scheme has offered probers a blueprint for how corrupt pols have tapped into secret slush funds." Yesterday on his radio show, Mayor Bloomberg discussed Martinez's fraud case saying, "It's an outrage. I've always thought if you steal from the public, it's worse than stealing from an individual because you're stealing from everybody. Hopefully, the judge will [sentence] as a punishment and as a disincentive to others to not steal from the public trough." While Martinez is currently out on a $250,000 bond, other nearby politicians at the epicenter of the investigation are keeping a watchful eye. At a dinner for Bronx Democrats this week, the Post says elected officials were (half-) joking that their conversations were possibly being recorded. more ›

The first City Council member to resign as a result of a slush fund scandal wasted no time settling matters with the US Attorney's office. Today former Councilman Miguel Martinez pleaded guilty to money laundering and mail fraud, stealing in total over $100,000 intended for non-profit groups. In court today, Martinez said, "I received the money as a direct result of the conspiracy. I engaged in this scheme as a New York City Council member. I was able to engage in these schemes because I was a New York City councilman." Martinez copped a plea deal with prosecutors who recommended he be sentenced to around 4 to 6 years for charges that usually warrant up to 20, but the federal judge today noted that the court did not have to comply with that advice. The Times says Martinez had a "once-promising political career" while representing Washington Heights and Inwood, a seat that NY1 says will not have a special election because it would fall too close to September primaries. more ›

City Councilman Miguel Martinez, who represents 10th Council District which includes parts of Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, has issued his resignation; CityRoom reports that his letter read, "Dear Speaker Quinn, Effective today, July 14, 2009, I am submitting my resignation to the New York City Council." Martinez has been under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office for funding to a non-profit group; in March, the NY Times wrote, "The Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors, [which helps] small businesses and underserved Latino, immigrant and low-income people [in upper Manhattan]...received little city money until 2006, after Mr. Martinez’s sister, Maria Martinez, joined the board. Since then, the group has received more than $1.4 million in City Council funds including more than $400,000 sponsored directly by Mr. Martinez." Martinez has reportedly cut a deal with the feds to avoid prison time; the Post notes he is "the first elected official to be done in by the Council's slush fund scandal." more ›

The NY Times doled out a few endorsements for Albany-related primaries. The Times endorsed former Schumer aide and "enthusiastic new outsider" Daniel Squadron for incumbent State Senator Martin Connor's 25th District seat and endorsed incumbent Assemblyman Adriano Esapaillat for his 72nd Assembly District over challenger City Councilman Miguel Martinez. more ›