| Homeless of New Haven |
[23 Jun 2006|09:16am] |
A Vanishing Species: The Street People of New Haven
Hartford Post: June 18, 2006 front top of Sunday edition
A Special Investigative Report – Part Three
By special correspondent Robin K. Sloane
[Photo of Life Haven Homeless Shelter]
The street people and the once vibrant street life continue to vanish in most urban areas of the state. This report in a continuing series explores the situation in New Haven.
As in Hartford, the focus of our first report, the dwindling services for the homeless and downtrodden testifies to the decreasing population of these individuals.
“We have noticed that several regulars have gone missing and the disappearances seem to be getting worse”’ stated Meredith Wallace, President of Life Haven.
“It’s gotten to the point where the board has contacted the police and the office of the Mayor about this”, added Wallace.
The only comment provided by police is that they are looking into it, but with no bodies it is generally assumed that the missing individuals have moved to another locale.
The Mayor’s office supported the position of the police.
The city officials appear little concerned with the disappearance of street people in Hartford and Waterbury After all with their disappearance city resources can be spent elsewhere.
“And most street people don’t vote or matter in the scheme of things”, ruefully stated Angela Delacroix a volunteer at Columbus House, the other principle homeless shelter in New Haven.
As with the situation in Hartford and Waterbury, rumors abound on the disappearances. After abduction by aliens the most popular refer to denizens of the night. These denizens may be roving street gangs or those of a more supernatural nature. Blood suckers is commonly heard from the few remaining street residents.
“I saw four fiends drag Martha into a black van and they had fangs”, insisted Walkin’ Talkin’ Job of the streets.
WT added that the few remaining have banded together for protection insisting that if that doesn’t pan out they will all go south.
“New Orleans may be in need of more street people for their rebuilding”, mused WT with a smile.
Off the record health personnel, beat cops and night workers have verified some of the bizarre tales. Many relate stories of violent kidnappings and even brutal attacks.
But for some inexplicable reason bodies rarely show up.
“At one time bodies of the unfortunate commonly showed up at the medical centers or the state morgue, but not any more”, said Vanessa Matthews of Yale New Haven Hospital, adding”This is most peculiar but we are unable to offer a rational explanation for this phenomena”.
Once again it seems something is reducing the street population and once again government officials are turning a blind eye to it.
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[26 May 2006|08:58am] |
News of the Community of Faith
May 26, 2006
Fallout of Katrina!
Hartford Post front page of community section
By Witness Faith House
“It is a pity that I step down from the priesthood in this great time of need”, stated Catholic priest Nathaniel David Aubrey. In a statement Aubery ceased his short career within the Church.
Nathaniel Aubrey, 25, was ordained in New Orleans in 2005. He moved here after Katrina struck the City. Recently Father Patrick O’Malley was brutally murdered in St Mary’s Church in Hartford and this apparently leads to the decision to depart the ministry.
“Truly, what made me decide to leave was the last gruesome killing of Father O’Malley. I should hope the occult killings stop soon”, stated a distraught Aubrey.
Aubrey added he will still support the church but as a lay person.
[Picture of Aubrey kneeling before a cross in full regalia holding a rosary]
The killing of Fr. O’Malley as well as known persons within the occult community remains unsolved. Indeed, the police refuse to connect the killings and continue to treat the investigations separately.
Rumors that a special team from the Vatican is looking into the murder of O’Malley can not be confirmed. However, sources have told this reporter that certain religious scholars have been consulted by unnamed persons within the last month.
Indeed, one claimed a psychic has visited the site and provided descriptions of those responsible for the O’Malley murder.
The spokesperson for the church declined comment on these rumors.
“The Church hopes Aubrey finds solace and fulfillment in his new chosen path”, is the only official statement on the Aubrey resignation.
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| Art Exhibit |
[24 May 2006|10:41am] |
Social News
May 24, 2006
New Art Show Stirs Controversy
Hartford Post front page of entertainment section
By Social Diva Dolce Vita
Real Art Works, located in the Parkville neighborhood of Hartford, opens a new exhibit of photos by on the edge photographer, Hoyt B. Sorroll. It is already causing a buzz among art critics, the blasé elite and city shakers and movers.
Hoyt is a Hartford native who spends his time wandering around taking pictures of the less then attractive side of the city and neighboring communities. He first gained notice with his Corpse Bride series. Now he presents his Withered Flowers series.
City fathers [and mothers] generally consider the photography too grim and negative. Few wanted to be quoted but the consensus behind the scene is that the photos paint a bleak picture of life in the City.
However, most art critics consider Hoyt’s use of contrast and shadow in his latest exhibit his best work yet.
“His first while well done was too in your face and in some instances garish”, opined art critic Jerome Pittsford, who appears regularly in the New Haven Register, adding,” his current exhibit is more subtle, but in many ways darker as it leaves much to the viewer’s imagination.”
“His use of crows is most effective”’ enthused social diva Marian Gould, a member of the RAW Board of Directors.
Indeed, crows play a significant part of the exhibit albeit in the background for the most part. In one the carrion black bird is center piece. It stands near a hand of a shooting victim. Blood is drying in splattered drops. A gun is partially glimpsed. The crow appears to be eying the viewer with one eye that reflects the body. Finally, under the hand is a crushed flower. It is downright creepy.
Dead and decaying flowers and plants are sprinkled throughout the pictures as well. A sense of a community dying prevails and carrion creatures await their turn to feed upon the carcass.
In one photo, titled “Street Jackal”, one can just make out a canine slinking off to the side. It looks like a jackal, but is more likely a fox. Also in the photo are Hispanic gang members who openly sport weapons. The viewer is left to wonder who the jackal actually is. Again, dying flowers are seen abandoned on the sidewalk as if a bouquet tossed away by a rejected lover.
One called “Repugnant Shadow” shows one who is likely a street person. The shadow of the person stretches out on the nearby wall giving the person a grotesque image as if the person is some kind of monster stalking the night. A hunched back can be clearly seen. The shadow even intimates a flower in the hair or behind the ear of the person.
In another a prosaic scene takes on a foreboding sense the longer one stares at it. The photo is ostensibly of an elderly resident holding a flowering cactus. It first all looks idyllic. However, one starts to wonder if the old woman with the deep wrinkles is alive. The eyes are open, but have a glassy stare to them as that of a doll’s glass eyes. Even the flowering cactus adds to the dark atmosphere of the photo. It is clearly alive as it is flowering, but a cactus grows in arid and forsaken areas. Does it portray the city as such a place?
In the exhibit are several from the celebration of Cinque de Mayo earlier this month. These are the most crowded of his photographs. The people appear wild and out of control. These are the most erotic, but in a disturbing way. There is no sense of romance or even human sexuality in these photos. Rather the revelers appear almost bestial, as if possessed of animal spirits. Those photographed are often in disarray, in mocking animal like positions with feral expressions. A few are sexually explicit and are roped off and behind black velvet curtains for viewing only at the behest of the usher.
Probably the most normal appearing photo is that of roses at Elizabeth Park taken during the winter. The photos chronicle the strange occurrence of roses appearing during winter which lead to pilgrimages of believers who came to pray and worship at this site of divine intervention. Even there a lost pair of kid gloves gives it pathos.
Finally, there is the photo of the flower girl, which given the dearth of street people in Hartford adds to its impact. The waif is holding a bouquet of flowers to sell to theater goers attending a night show. The nearby street light casts an elongated shadow down the sidewalk and a twisted shadow of a bird [a crow?] intersects with the shadow of the girl. The girl appears pale as if anemic and on the verge of death. It is unnerving.
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| Dead Priest Identified |
[11 Apr 2006|03:17pm] |
Catholic Priest Slaughtered!
Hartford Post: April 13, 2006 local section front page
By crime correspondent Grace E. Watkins
[Photo of St Mary’s Church]
Police finally identified the body discovered in St Mary’ Church last month. He is Father Patrick Sean O’Malley. Although found dead there he is not assigned to that church. Indeed, it could be determined what church he was assigned to as the Diocese remained tight-lipped about Fr. O’Malley.
The police believe several killers were involved. The body was literally torn apart. This was the reason it took so long to identify the victim.
Police are refusing to comment on whether or not this death is connected to the occult murders that are driving underground those involved in that field. This reporter found only one willing to comment about the incident.
Christopher Rogers is the owner of the Hartford Occult Emporium, located near Trinity. He stated that O’Malley was not known within the occult community. He also lamented that business was slow.
“Occultist are concerned about showing themselves in public”, explained Rogers. He no longer keeps night hours due to the danger.
Confidential sources within the police say they have some clues and are following up on them. Details were not forthcoming however.
A ceremony to purify the church after the horrific murder will take place this Sunday announced Diocese officials.
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| Heart's Desire |
[11 Apr 2006|11:11am] |
Business News
A Bleeding Heart’s Desire
Hartford Post: April 11, 2006 business section front page
By business correspondent Artemus G. Scribe
[Photo of property on Berlin Turnpike]
Months ago the hotel complex known as Heart’s Desire opened with a gala event attended by the social elite of the area. Now it titters on the verge of bankruptcy. Although, management refuses to comment about the fiscal problems plaguing the enterprise there are signs of the difficulties.
Vendors of the Company have filed law suits for non-payment of outstanding bills. In some cases services are no longer being provided.
Several employees have confirmed that layoffs have occurred. For instance, valet service is no longer offered. The concierge position is now vacant. The complimentary pick-up from area airports is no longer offered; although such a service is still listed on Heart’s Desire web page.
General Manager Caleb V. Staunton refused to comment on any of these issues, saying only the place was still in business. A tour of the facility was denied.
Employees have told this reporter that rooms that are unfilled are not serviced and that a few floors have been closed. The place is always cold as heat has been cut back to conserve limited resources. The pool has been closed.
[Photo of sign on door stating closed by Department of Health and door is pad-locked]
Further, the café is no longer operational. There is notice of this on the web page. It states the café is closed for renovation.
Local business leaders confirm that rumors abound about the plight of Heart’s Desire. None would go on the record. Sources mostly cite the management, which they contend seems inexperienced and the lack of leadership at the top. Indeed, it appears the principle investors have taken no interest in the continuing decline of the business.
The staff cutbacks can be seen in the untrimmed lawns and bushes. Also, there is a pile-up of garbage bags hidden out of sight behind the maintenance sheds.
[Photo of pile of plastic garbage bags]
Perhaps someone in authority will wake up to take matters in hand. If not the complex may join other boarded-up and abandoned properties in the greater Hartford area.
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[23 Feb 2006|11:41am] |
Arson at the Institute of Living
Hartford Post: February 13, 2006 front top of Friday edition
A Special Investigative Report
By correspondent Robin K. Sloane
[Photo of the destroyed Donnelly Building]
A midnight inferno that destroyed the Institute of Living Donnelly Building located on the 35 acre campus in the center of Hartford has been determined to be arson.
“The fire was without a doubt purposely set. The reason remains unknown, but the arson unit continues to investigate”, announced HFD Captain Clifford Watkins.
“The fire was deliberately set by two night nurses. They did so in a very amateurish way indicating no experience in what they were doing”, stated HPD Lieutenant Michael Malone, who is heading the investigation.
The two night nurses died in the conflagration. The two are Janice Whitney, 26, and Heather Moore, 28, who roomed together in an apartment. Police have sealed the apartment and are seeking a motive for their actions.
“There appears no rational reason for their actions and we are looking into the possibility that they did this at the behest of another”, said arson investigator Hugh Bryant.
Unnamed sources within the HPD have informed this reporter that a few leads have been discovered.
The HPD has also confirmed that a psychiatrist, Dr. Adam Lockwood, was working in the building that night and his body has been identified by the State Coroner’s office. In addition five bodies of patients have been recovered and identified.
One who has not been found is Jacob Hoggs. The search continues for his body, but police believe the body may have been consumed in the blaze.
Until a new building is built or an existing one converted the Institute will not house patients announced Dr. James Ringgold. Patients in need of in-house care will be sent to Whiting Forensic in Middletown.
This reporter will file reports on the continuing investigation into the arson and multiple murders.
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| Occult Killings 3 |
[10 Feb 2006|12:30pm] |
Occultists Want protection
Hartford Post: February 10, 2006 local section front page
By crime correspondent Grace E. Watkins
“We in the Wicca community and those involved in occult studies demand a full and coordinated effort by police authorities to apprehend the so called occult killer.” demanded the, president emeritus of the CWPN.
Her reference is to the recent brutal slayings of persons with connections to the occult community within the Hartford area. The latest victim was Benjamin Colster who served as a trustee at the Temple Beth Israel in West Hartford.
That investigation along with others believed related is ongoing. Police have stated that they are not convinced the killings are related.
“Although there are some similarities there are other indications that the killer in each case may have different motivations. The HPD does not want to hastily call in the Feds or form a task force.” explained Assistant Chief Daryl K. Roberts, who commands the Detectives Bureau.
The spokesperson for the Wiccan and Pagan community, said she has written to the F.B.I. to request that they investigate these murders. The agency has a special unit that investigates occult related crimes. The unit is informally called the X-Unit in reference and homage to the late show titled The X-files. The actual unit is the Special Occult Crime Unit [SOCU].
Sgt. Hawley Scrubbs from the Major Crimes Division is in charge of the Colster investigation. He would not speak on the record, but indicated he had promising leads. He would not comment about rumors linking the occult killings to the animal killings.
Currently the animal killer has been inactive, but they may be due to injuries sustained in his last attempt to kill a dog.
“Unfortunately, some of those within the target group are arming themselves for protection. Given the generally non-violent nature of Wiccans this is tragic.” stated the president providing the last word for this report.
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| Electric Boat |
[09 Feb 2006|11:20am] |
New London Day
Electric Boat maintenance contract goes south
February 1, 2006
GROTON, Conn. --The U.S. Navy has awarded a $34.7 million submarine maintenance contract to the Northrop Grumman shipyard in Newport News, Va., dealing another blow to the Electric Boat shipyard, which had been competing for the work.
The contract, for work on the U.S.S. Toledo, would have provided work for nearly 800 employees in 2007, union officials said.
EB has already announced plans to lay off up to 2,400 workers by the end of the year. On Monday, the shipyard announced it would lay off 222 workers at the end of March because of a continuing lack of future submarine design work and maintenance and repair jobs.
"It's a nightmare," said Metal Trades Council President Ken DelaCruz, whose union members would have performed the work on the Toledo. "It just adds injury to insult. That would have been 10 months of work. Now we've got to scramble and hope we can pick up smaller jobs."
The Navy said last month that future depot-level maintenance work would be given to Navy-owned shipyards, because there isn't enough to keep two East Coast shipyards busy.
"Today's announcement will accelerate our exit from the business," EB spokesman Robert Hamilton said Tuesday.
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| Vanished Homeless |
[09 Feb 2006|09:58am] |
The Vanished Street People of Waterbury
Hartford Post: February 12, 2006 front top of Sunday edition
A Special Investigative Report – Part Two
By correspondent Robin K. Sloane
St. Vincent DePaul Society
Homeless Shelter
[Photo of St. Vincent DePaul Society Homeless Shelter]
The street people and the once vibrant street life have vanished in most urban areas of the state. This report in a continuing series explores the situation in Waterbury.
As in Hartford, the focus of our first report, the dwindling services for the homeless and downtrodden testifies to the decreasing population of these individuals.
“We no longer work with the homeless to provide them shelter, because they just are not around”, Mary Mauriello told this reporter while shaking her head.
The manager of the St. Vincent DePaul Society Homeless Shelter continued stating, “Some moved to other places, but too many just disappeared. There is ample evidence that many met unfortunate demises.”
There are indeed ample reasons to support this explanation of the disappearance of the street people in the Brass City. This reporter was told many stories about bodies being discovered over the years and especially within recent months. The tales come from health providers, such as ambulance personnel, and members of the Waterbury Police Department. Oddly, these deaths are rarely investigated. Most are put down to inclimate weather even during months with mild conditions.
Although requested for comment most city officials declined to speak on the record. Several spoke off the record and confirmed that there is little interest in spending time and money to look in dept into this deadly phenomenon.
“We believe the number of dead is exaggerated with many of the so called street people just moving on to places with better climates and sunny beaches”, stated Deputy Mayor Dennis Sandiford.
Random interviews with residents on Main Street out for a stroll and lunch one recent sunny day showed little concern for the problem. Indeed many disputed the problem.
“I’m glad these homeless and dead-beats are gone. Let them go elsewhere and leech off someone else”, snarled elderly resident Seymour Glass.
“They smell and look frightful in their dilapidated clothing”, sniffed one well dressed lady in disdain. She requested her name not be printed.
“The underbelly of society has always met indifference, apathy, and downright hostility.” lamented Carroll Brown, executive director of the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries, continuing “The poor, ill and weak are easy prey to those who haunt their world.”
Thus the unasked question stands out starkly. Who haunts the world of the destitute in Connecticut? It is an elephant in the room that very few will discuss on the record if they even acknowledge exists.
One who speaks on the record is Kenneth Osgood a staff reporter for the Waterbury Republican American newspaper. He has seen things that can not be explained by what is normally considered to be true.
“There are too many exsanguinated bodies found with odd injuries. There are too many strange disappearances of hikers, hunters and people going off to commune with nature in our area woods. And certainly there is too much effort put into ignoring these events.” stated Osgood with intense conviction. He writes a column called the Osgood Observations and has a show on local radio station WATR 1320 AM that deals with bizarre happenings in the area called Osgood On the Odd.
“There are things out there that have killed many of the street people and that is the principle reason you no longer find them about. This is true for Waterbury, Hartford, New Haven and New Britain.” emphatically proclaimed Osgood.
Many scuff at his notions, but offer no credible explanation for the absence of street people in the urban centers of this state.
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| Meth Lab Bust! |
[08 Feb 2006|08:57am] |
Meth Lab Busted!
Hartford Post: February 05, 2006 front of city section
By crime correspondent Grace E. Watkins
The HPD last evening busted a recently established meth lab striking a blow against drug traffic in the city. Based upon a tip obtained by Detective Wu Wei the drug unit raided the lab at about 8:00 P.M. The site was a small condemned house in the Asylum Hill neighborhood.
The raid was led personally by Lieutenant John Betz, commander of the vice and narcotics division within the HPD.
The gang members present refused to go down without a fight and gunfire broke out. One member was killed by gunfire. Three others died when the lab blew-up. Two police officers were injured in the confrontation. One took a bullet wound to his right side. The other was hurt in the lab explosion. As of press time the officers have not been identified.
The building was severely damaged by the blowup of the lab.
“This raid shows that the City will not abide meth labs within its borders”, exclaimed an exuberant HPD Police Chief Patrick J. Harnett.
Remaining members of the gang known on the street as The Sirs are being sought. Some are in custody. This reporter has been told the actual name was The Philosophers, but that the gang members took to calling themselves The Sirs because some did not like Philosophers.
Lt. John Betz vowed that the entire gang calling themselves The Sirs will be arrested. “There is nowhere these low-life scum can hide where we won’t flush them out”, vowed Betz.
“The special unit performed exemplarily and some very dangerous individuals have been removed from our streets”, emphasized Lt. Betz, standing before the press in his protective gear and holding his police assault rifle. Betz is known for his public relations stunts and bravado. Although he has denied it publicly it is well known within the police community that he wants to be Police Chief one day. In this case it can not be denied that the street gangs have been a blow.
The dead have been identified as Juan Delsuado, age 19, Jose Burres, age 18, Carlos Merate, age 22 and Tomes Verracruz, age 16. All four have the same address. It appears the entire gang lived in a small Farmington Avenue apartment complex in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. The HPD has secured the building. One unidentified gang member was found there and placed under arrest. This place was the crib of The Sirs.
On a curious note, the HPD is looking into whether or not this gang incited the riots of 2005. There is some evidence to support this and police hope that by the end of the month the mystery will be solved. It appears that this evidence is coming from the gang’s crib.
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| New Night Club |
[07 Feb 2006|03:02pm] |
Social News
February 9, 2006
New Night Club Stirs Controversy
Hartford Post front page of entertainment section
By Social Diva Dolce Vita
For all the adventurers out there do not miss the opening of a new night club in Waterbury. It is situated in the business district and it is stirring controversy before it even opens, which is 8:00 this Saturday.
It is called Gethsemane and if you don’t know the word look it up. Do I look like your English teacher?
It has nine levels of entertainment and has scheduled cutting edge, local bands, such as Black Burning Blight from neighboring Massachusetts and Say the F Word from Waterbury.
It is clearly designed for the Goth crowd and those who like a little danger to spice up their nights. The architecture is Gothic and the whole building both exterior and interior has been designed by Goth architect Maxwell Ace.
On entering one is met by hostess Lady Sadista appropriately dressed in leather. You immediately know you are not in Kansas anymore. There is more dance floor space then in your usual night club and there is a vertigo spiral effect with the ascending sit down area going up the sides. Clearly using a large spacious warehouse long abandoned by some bankrupt business ages ago is a brilliant idea.
What business you ask? Look it up! Am I the stick up his butt business reporter for this rag?
The music actually sounds great as the design avoids acoustical problems like some other clubs I could name. I’ll refrain from doing so which will be my good deed for today.
The manager is a tall, pale man by the name of James Garrigan, who clearly believes all the hype about the sun causing cancer. He is quite charming and instantly becomes one of Waterbury’s most eligible bachelors. Indeed, he is not and has never been married. Rev up your engines, girls!
OK, one sop to the Chamber of Commerce [my editor insists, the capitalist swine]; the night club is centered in an area of Waterbury designated as the entertainment district. It is a joint effort by the business community, the City of Waterbury and the State of Conecticut to revitalize this abandoned, dreary, armpit of Waterbury.
The DJs are the twins Picaro and Picara who have gained favor with the young of Waterbury and the outlying area. They’ve built up a following by hosting numerous raves through-out the region showcasing industrial music. When the bands are not playing they will be doing that thing they do so well.
Oh, yes the controversy I mentioned earlier is real. A group calling themselves the Waterbury Warriors for Family Values plan to picket the opening. I kid you not.
“This is an evil place that threatens the family by corrupting our youth”’ ranted the Reverend Henry T. Welles, further railing “This place is a den of inequity”.
One can only hope!
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| arson crime |
[07 Feb 2006|03:01pm] |
Inferno at The Institute of Living
Hartford Post: February 10, 2006 front top of Friday edition
A Special Investigative Report
By correspondent Robin K. Sloane
Donnelly Building
[Photo of the Donnelly Building]
A midnight inferno destroyed the Institute of Living Donnelly Building located on the 35 acre campus in the center of Hartford. The seven alarm fire was intense and there was no way to save the building according to fire fighters at the scene.
“The fire had totally engulfed the building by the time we arrived and our major effort was at safeguarding nearby buildings such as the Gengras Building”, asserted HFD Captain Clifford Watkins.
The Arson Unit is investigating the circumstances of the fire. Many at the scene openly speculated that the fire was not normal. Arson was suggested by several present.
“Given the lost of life and the adverse affect on health care within Hartford you can bet we’ll pull out the plug in investigating this tragedy”, pledged arson investigator Hugh Bryant.
The number of dead has not been confirmed. Sources have stated that several patients in the building and some staff have not been accounted for and are feared dead.
The building is used for evaluations and the housing of patients requiring in-patient treatment. One such patient is accused killer Jacob Brent Hoggs. He achieved additional notoriety when he confessed to being the animal killer. Police determined his confession to be false. Hoggs is accused with the brutal slaying of Charles “Lion” Duntweiler, a local member of the Blood Flag gang situated in the north end of Hartford.
Hoggs also confessed to masterminding the deadly riots in 2005. Again his confession, or perhaps bragging would be a better term, was proven to be false. Whether he is among the dead has not been ascertained.
“Our in-patient program is suspended until further notice”, announced Dr. James Ringgold adding, “We expect most of our services and programs to re-open within a few days”.
This reporter will file additional reports as the investigation into this suspected arson and multiple murders continues.
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| North End Scandal |
[07 Feb 2006|09:42am] |
Bribery Plot Alleged
State Says Four Took Money To Let Convicts Skip Community Service
By MATT BURGARD And OSHRAT CARMIEL
Courant Staff Writers
February 3 2006
Four community workers in Hartford, including a widely respected activist with long ties to the city's Democratic Party, were charged Thursday with accepting bribes in exchange for letting criminals get out of performing court-imposed community service.
"These charges are deeply troubling because they go to the heart of the criminal justice system," said Chief State's Attorney Christopher Morano, whose office conducted an 11-month investigation. "These people were giving judges the false impression that their orders were being carried out, when in fact they were not. That cannot be tolerated."
The four suspects, all of whom work for agencies hired to oversee community service programs for the state judicial system, appeared Thursday in Superior Court in Hartford after being arrested earlier in the day.
The suspects - Kevin Shannon, 46; Melvin Gray, 26; Shase Ricks, 37; and Mamie Bell, 50 - are accused of accepting bribes from criminals they were supervising as monitors in community service programs.
Although details of the charges remain sealed under judge's order, sources close to the investigation said the four suspects repeatedly accepted bribes of $200 or more from criminals who wanted to avoid performing court-mandated community service programs.
Sources said the four were caught on both video and audio surveillance agreeing to accept cash in exchange for forging court documents meant to assure judges that the criminals had met the community service requirements imposed on them.
While many expressed shock at the arrests, the charges against Bell sparked particular surprise because of her longtime ties to community improvement organizations, as well as her 20-year membership in the city's Democratic town committee.
A former judicial sheriff who was widely known for her work in helping rehabilitate repeat offenders in the court system, Bell's arrest left many in the city's legal community shaking their heads in sadness and disbelief Thursday.
"It's shocking," said Wesley Spears, a defense lawyer at Superior Court who ended up representing Bell during her arraignment Thursday.
Judge Bradford Ward ordered Bell held, with bail set at $200,000. At one point, Bell tried to address the judge to ask for a lower bail, but Spears shuttled her out of the courtroom before she could say anything.
Spears, who said he expects he will soon be hired to represent Bell as her case proceeds, said Bell was surprised when police officers showed up at her home early Thursday to take her into custody.
"She's not sure herself what this is all about," he said. "She maintains her innocence."
Spears also represented Ricks, a program director for the South Arsenal Neighborhood Development Corp., a well-regarded North End organization. Ricks, who has previous arrests on assault and robbery charges, was ordered held, with bail set at $350,000.
Bell, Shannon and Gray are employees of Community Partners in Action, one of the city's oldest and most influential nonprofit community outreach agencies.
It receives millions of dollars each year to provide various services for the courts, as well as other branches of state government.
Last year, state records show, the state paid Community Partners close to $10 million, more than half of which went to court-related programs.
One prominent service the agency provides is an alternative incarceration program, which offers options to judges who want to penalize offenders with something less severe, or other than, jail time. A Superior Court judge could, for example, sentence someone convicted of drug possession to perform a certain number of hours of community service.
Bell, Shannon and Gray all worked for alternative incarceration programs provided by Community Partners; Ricks worked for programs provided by SAND, according to officials close to the investigation.
Maureen Price-Boreland, executive director of Community Partners, said her agency was saddened to learn of the arrests Thursday.
"If the allegations are true, we are highly disappointed in these individuals," she said. "We do not condone this type of activity, and we intend to cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigation."
Morano said the investigation began almost a year ago when an attorney in Hartford learned that some convicted criminals had been able to avoid performing community service by offering bribes to their program monitors.
William Lavery, the chief court administrator for the state's judicial branch, said his agency continues to cooperate with investigators.
"The arrests that occurred today are the result of conscientious individuals who heard of something they believed was wrong and reported it to the proper authorities," he said.
Morano said the investigation is not over, adding that many of the people suspected of paying the bribes have also been identified and probably will face charges.
He urged those who paid the bribes to voluntarily contact his office.
"They should know that they will not be able to avoid prosecution," he said. "But at the same time, we are more interested in those who accepted the payments than those who paid them, because those who took the payments violated the public trust."
State Rep. Marie Kirkley-Bey, D-Hartford, a member of the North End's town committee, said she was distressed to hear about Bell, especially because the arrest came on the same day that former state Sen. Ernest Newton of Bridgeport was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to bribery charges.
Bell is running to keep her seat on the town committee.
"When you see people of color who have potential, who have been able to get to leadership roles and then something like this happens and you wonder how it happens," Kirkley-Bey said. "You wonder what makes them take that step."
But Abraham Giles, a veteran North End political boss who serves with Bell on the town committee, said he's known Bell for 30 years, and doesn't think she's capable of the charges leveled against her.
"If that's true, then I'm the most surprised man in the world," he said.
As to the town committee election, Giles said, "There's no reason why her name should come off the ballot unless she's convicted."
Bell is charged with one count each of bribe receiving; aiding in fabricating evidence; and conspiracy to fabricate evidence; and two counts of second-degree forgery.
Shannon is charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act; two counts of bribe receiving; and one count each of aiding bribe receiving, fabricating evidence and second-degree forgery.
Gray is charged with violating the RICO act; two counts of bribe receiving; and one count each of fabricating evidence and second-degree forgery.
Ricks is charged with two counts each of fabricating evidence and second-degree forgery; and one count each of conspiracy to fabricate evidence and conspiracy to commit second-degree forgery.
All four suspects are due back in court Feb. 24.
A discussion of this story with Courant Staff Writer Oshrat Carmiel is scheduled to be shown on New England Cable News each hour today between 9 a.m. and noon.
Copyright 2006, Hartford Courant
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| Winchester Disarmed! |
[07 Feb 2006|09:38am] |
Winchester takes a bullet
Factory that makes 'Gun that Won the West' to close in March
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AP) -- The traditional Winchester rifles carried by pioneers, movie stars and Wild West lawmen will be discontinued in March, its Belgian manufacturer said Wednesday, confirming the end of an American icon that became known as "The Gun that Won the West."
Once the U.S. Repeating Arms plant in New Haven, Connecticut, closes on March 31, the only new rifles carrying the famous Winchester name will be the modern, high-end models produced in Belgium, Japan and Portugal. The older models, including the famous Winchester Model 94, will be scrapped.
"The name will continue, but not with those traditional products," said Robert Sauvage, a spokesman for the Herstal Group, the Belgian company that owns U.S. Repeating Arms and the right to the Winchester name.
Herstal announced Tuesday that the U.S. Repeating Arms factory would soon close, capping 140 years of Winchester manufacturing in New Haven.
"Economically speaking, we cannot continue. We have lost a lot of money," Sauvage said.
More than 19,000 Winchester employees worked in New Haven during World War II, but after years of a softening firearms market, the plant now employs fewer than 200. All will lose their jobs when the plant closes.
Officials and union leaders said they hoped someone would buy the plant and continue building the traditional rifles, but the Winchester name wouldn't necessarily come with the factory. Such an arrangement would need to be worked out separately.
Missouri-based Olin Corp. owns the Winchester brand name. In the late 1970s, after a massive strike by its machinists, Olin sold the plant to U.S. Repeating Arms along with the right to use the Winchester name until next year.
Sauvage said the Herstal Group wants to extend that right past 2007 but Olin has not decided whether to allow it. Spokeswoman Ann Pipkin said Olin is disappointed with Herstal's decision to close the plant and may sell the Winchester naming rights to someone else.
"The legendary Winchester name, we want it to be on a great-quality firearm," she said.
The Winchester model 1873 lever action rifle, popular among American frontiersmen at the end of the 19th century for its reliability, inspired the 1950 James Stewart film "Winchester '73."
John Wayne made the Winchester a signature of his movies and Chuck Connors posed menacingly with his Winchester on advertisements for the television series "The Rifleman."
President Teddy Roosevelt also was a Winchester devotee, using the 1895 model on his famous 1909 African safari, which historians credited with boosting the sale of Winchester sporting rifles.
While collectors were drawn to Winchester's many commemorative or special-edition rifles, sportsmen often still hunt with rifles that are generations old, a longevity that historian R.L. Wilson said became both the hallmark of the Winchester brand and part of its demise.
"It's not unusual in my work, I'll talk to someone, they'll say, 'I've got my rifle that belonged to my grandfather. I'm still using it,"' Wilson said. "These things get recycled as long as you keep a gun clean and you look after it."
Sauvage said Herstal is proud to have manufactured Winchester rifles for so long. He said he thinks customers will continue buying the new line of weapons, which can be produced quickly and for less money, because Belgium, like America, has a reputation for quality manufacturing.
Others say it won't be the same.
"It would be like Chevrolet going out of business or Chevrolet being made in Japan or China," firearms historian Ned Schwing said. "Winchester is an American legend, whether you're a gun person or not."
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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| Bank Theft 03 |
[07 Feb 2006|09:37am] |
Guilty Plea in $7.5 Million Bank Theft
Hartford Post: February 07, 2006 front bottom page
By crime correspondent Grace E. Watkins
[Photos of Howard B. Gleason – one as publicity photo by bank and other as he is led back to jail]
Today, Howard B. Gleason, former manager of the New Park Avenue branch of People’s Bank entered a plea of guilty to grand theft and conspiracy in the notorious $7.5 million theft of bank funds. Sentencing is being held as he cooperates with the F.B.I. in the continuing and widening investigation in what is commonly being called among police the 800 theft case. The 800 is in reference to the 803 cashier checks used in the theft.
Sources have told this reporter that Gleason got none of the stolen money and it is puzzling why he so readily went along with the conspiracy. It is understood that part of the deal is that Gleason will be sent to a low level prison used for the likes of Martha Stewart.
“We are close to finding his two known accomplishes and are certain that neither has left the state”, announced Special Agent David Marks. He added, “We are certain that there is a mastermind behind this theft who seems to have set up Gleason to take the fall for this crime.”
The Federal agents are known to be rousting figures within organized crime in their efforts to get information on the mastermind and the hiding locations of the two known accomplishes, Jabbar Mazin and Ghazi Jibran.
It is not confirmed, but sources have indicated that Russian mobsters may be involved.
Also, unconfirmed is that Gleason has named the mastermind. If so the authorities are keeping the name close to their vest.
Homeland Security continues to monitor the case closely and have added the two accomplishes to their most wanted list. No one is saying whether or not agents from Homeland Security are more actively involved in this case.
People’s Bank recently announced changes in the handling of cashier checks to prevent a similar theft in the future.
Bail has been set at $7.5 million dollars. Presently, Gleason has not made bail and is not expected to given his limited resources. According to sources Gleason has a severe gambling problem and owes huge sums in debt.
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| bank crime |
[31 Jan 2006|11:28am] |
Accomplishes Wanted in $7.5 Million Bank Theft
Hartford Post: January 31, 2006 front top page
By crime correspondent Grace E. Watkins
[Photos of two men middle-east in appearance]
The F.B.I. today released the identity of two men wanted in the brazen theft of $7.5 million from People’s Bank. They are the two who cashed 803 cashier’s checks over ten days earlier this month.
One accomplish is Jabbar Mazin of Hartford. He recently worked as a bouncer at a local night club, Rampage.
“He was a good employee”’ stated Glenn Whately, manager of the club, adding,”He was well-mannered and very spiritual”.
He rented a room above the night club. Agents have checked his room for leads, but have not located him. Evidence indicates Mazin has left his abode.
Mazin is a native of Saudi Arabia who moved to the United States in 1998. It is believed he has no family here.
“We are requesting that anyone who knows Jabbar Mazin to call the FBI office in New Haven at 203-777-6311”, announced Special Agent David Marks. Special Agent Marks is in charge of the investigation.
Also being sought is Ghazi Jibran from Waterbury. Jibran recently arrived from Lebanon under sponsorship of the Ehden Lebamese American Club located in Wolcott.
“We will be very disappointed if it turns out that someone we sponsored was involved in this crime”, said Joseph Carrah, President of the club.
“We call upon Ghazi Jibran to turn himself into the authorities”, continued Carrah.
Jibran was working as a chauffeur for a local, wealthy Lebanese family involved in the export/import business. He lived on the estate. His room and possessions have been studied for cues by federal agents.
All ports of exit are being monitored by authorities who are concerned they may attempt to flee the country with the stolen cash.
Homeland Security has been notified and agents are on the case. There is some concern that the money is meant for terrorist activity in the United States. Local authorities are concerned that Connecticut may be a target and are taking actions which officials have declined to comment on.
Indeed, some officials are speculating that the riots in 2005 may have been sponsored by terrorist. No one has yet been arrested for the incident. As a result of the riot two HPD officers were killed.
The HPD has confirmed that they are policing the street gangs more heavily to curtail a rise in incidents since the 2005 riot.
The F.B.I. plans to look into the 2005 riot situation to ascertain if there is any connection with the bank theft case.
Sources have confirmed to this reporter that Gleason is cooperating. The source has stated that Gleason is an utterly broken man.
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| Occult Killings 2 |
[25 Jan 2006|03:36pm] |
Another Occult Killing!
Hartford Post: January 25, 2006 front bottom page
By crime correspondent Grace E. Watkins
[Photo of Temple Beth Israel synagogue in West Hartford]
The mysterious occult killer has struck again. At the Temple Beth Israel in West Hartford the killer murdered Benjamin Colster who served there as a trustee. Colster was 62 and a life-long member of the congregation.
“He was devoted to the congregation and spent many hours working in the archives”, said obviously shaken Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Harold S. Silver, adding “I was the senior rabbi in 1990 when he became a trustee.”
Colster handled many of the records and was in the vault area when he was killed. It is unknown if any records were stolen.
The police are still not confirming that a serial killer is on the loose in the Greater Hartford area.
Colster was apparently a local expert on Hebrew mythology and had delved within the subject extensively since the death of his wife, Ruth, in 1993.
“I had many delightful conversations with him about the differences and similarities between mythologies”, stated University of Connecticut Professor Delilah Kroust. “We were good friends”, she commented sadly.
Efforts to reach others within the occult community were unsuccessful. Many have apparently taken vacations to more hospitable locales.
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| Bank Theft |
[24 Jan 2006|03:16pm] |
Bank Theft of $7.5 Million
Hartford Post: January 20, 2006 front top page
By crime correspondent Grace E. Watkins
[Photo of a middle-aged man in cuffs hiding his face as he is led away]
Bank Manager Howard B. Gleason was arrested by the FBI today for a scheme that resulted in the theft of $7.5 million. Gleason served as manager at the New Park Avenue branch of People’s Bank.
Gleason is accused of a conspiracy to fraudulently cash approximately 800 cashier’s checks resulting in a lost of $7.5 million. Although he tried to cover his tracks the bank quickly concluded he was responsible for creating the 800 cashier checks that were cashed by his accomplishes.
“We wish to assure our depositors that the bank is not threatened by this sudden lost of funds. We have insurance to guard against such an egregious act”, assured spokesperson Gail First on behalf of People’s Bank.
On the day of his arrest Gleason was fired from his position by People’s Bank. He had served in that position for 8 years.
No motive has yet been given for such a reckless act by the former manager. Sources have informed this reporter that Gleason appears to have a gambling problem. He may have undertaken this action to clear gambling debts.
The FBI are vigorously seeking his accomplishes. The two men who cashed the fraudulent checks have been captured on security video at numerous area banks.
[Photos of the two men follow]
“We are confidant that these two will soon be in custody. We are requesting that anyone who recognizes either of these two men to call the FBI office in New Haven at 203-777-6311.
Authorities believe there is a mastermind behind this who is the fourth person in the conspiracy. Sources believe this person may be connected to an organized crime family.
Although unconfirmed sources have stated that Gleason is cooperating.
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[13 Jan 2006|10:26am] |
Master Criminal or Insane Patsy?
Hartford Post: January 13, 2006, front page below the fold
By special correspondent Godfrey L. Hutchinson
[Picture of Dr. Braxis D. Survanen and HPD Det. Wu Wei. Underneath it gives their names and further states picture taken at Institute of Living in Hartford]]
[Braxis is wearing a black shirt, crimson tie and black pants. He is sitting in a chair leaning back. Wu is standing behind Braxis with his hands on the Doctor’s shoulders.]
In December a man known only as Jacob was arrested by the HPD for murder. Later, Jacob was transferred into the custody of Dr Survanen and taken to the Institute of Living for a psychiatric evaluation.
Although the HPD is being tight-lipped about the arrest it is known Jacob was arrested for the murder of Charles “Lion” Duntweiler, a local member of the Blood Flag gang situated in the north end of Hartford.
He was known for his long massive tangle of hair, hence his street name of Lion. Details of the murder have not been given out. However, this reporter has uncovered that Lion was exsanguinated and died of massive shock due to the lost of blood.
It took awhile, but the HPD finally identified Jacob. He is from New Orleans and has a police record there. Indeed there are outstanding warrants for his arrest. The New Orleans police have been notified, but are allowing the State to pursue the more serious charge of murder ahead of the lesser felonies he is wanted on. His full name is Jacob Brent Hoggs and he is 32 years old. He is a native of New Orleans. It is rumored that he migrated to Hartford after the destruction of the city along with associates.
What is puzzling police are statements by Dr Survanen that Jacob has confessed to the animal killings and for the deadly riots in 2005.
“No one needs to worry, with him locked away in a nice padded cell, we won’t be seeing any more abnormal murders of animals or human beings.”, stated Dr Survanen earlier this month.
Given recent events this statement has proven too optimistic.
“Jacob has claimed that he also has had dabblings with the gang war in the upper end of Hartford. Finally we can put that to rest and sleep better at night.”, further claimed Dr Survanen.
This may be premature. The police are not convinced that Jacob Hoggs had the necessary connections or street smarts to have caused the riots.
“His statements to police lack credibility and seem rehearsed. His ability to have pulled off what he has confessed to is very questionable.” opined HPD Lieutenant Jeffrey W. Porter, who is in charge of investigating the riots of 2005.
Starting in December the HPD with support by neighboring police departments and State Police have been applying pressure to the gangs and associated individuals to learn the identities behind the deadly riots that resulted in severe criticisms of the police by many and varied public officials. The HPD will not publicly comment on this.
Given the recent depravations of the animal killer, the confession of Jason relating to that highly publicized killing spree is suspect.
“The interview conducted by myself and associates indicate a lack of detailed knowledge the actual killer would have, informed ACO Jerry Cloutier, adding “We do not believe he is the animal killer we seek”.
Indeed, the situation involving Hoggs has even led to criticism of Dr Survanen for hasty claims which appear contradicted. Dr. Henry P. Cox of the Institute of Living complained that Dr Survanen has been too quick to believe the confessions of Hoggs.
“It can be questioned as to whether Hoggs is really insane or faking it to avoid the murder charge”, said Dr. Cox, adding “I think it is likely Hoggs fooled Dr Survanen”.
Another associate, Dr. Leighton Huey, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the UConn School of Medicine in Farmington offered an explanation for Dr Survanen’s actions regarding Boggs. He pointed out that Survanen is relatively young. “He is after all twenty-three years old and barely out of college. I’m sure he’ll improve his skills in time”.
The associate of Dr Survanen, HPD Detective Wei recently transferred to Hartford from San Francisco where he served for 22 years as a detective. He and David Serotic of the HPD are credited with the arrest of Boggs. Neither was available for comment.
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