The Daily Dirt: Carpenters’ union eyes freedom, 30 years after scandal

Three decades ago, federal prosecutors alleged that the Mob was calling the shots at the city’s carpenters union.

March 4 will mark exactly 30 years since a federal court approved an agreement that settled racketeering charges against the New York City District Council of Carpenters and installed a monitor to help root out corruption among its members.

The union is hoping this anniversary is marked by finally ditching its court-appointed monitor.

In July 2022, a federal court judge signed off on reducing the monitor’s authority and giving the union’s own inspector general more investigative duties. On Friday, the union filed a report noting that it is in talks to fully transfer the monitor’s responsibilities to the inspector general.

The monitor’s term is expected to be renewed through March, after which — if a deal is reached with the government and approved by the court — the inspector general would fully take over oversight.

This doesn’t mean the union is free and clear of potentially corrupting influences. In fact, the union’s court filing notes that an investigation by the inspector general led to the removal of member Thomas Ficarotta, described as a captain of the Genovese crime family, in September.

From the union’s perspective, however, that showed it is capable of dealing with these situations on its own.

The union has been moving toward self-governance for a few years, with the inspector general taking on more responsibility. Its recent report maintains that the union is capable of policing itself, of quickly identifying and removing corruption.

“The goal is to transition sooner rather than later to self-governance where the elected officers and appointed officials of the District Council … will be able to function without needing the oversight of the Independent Monitor and his team,” the report states.

This would be a new chapter for the union, which has become more vocal in major policy debates in recent years, including the fight over the property tax break 421a.

What we’re thinking about: Will former President Trump be forced to liquidate his New York businesses? Send a note to kathryn@therealdeal.com.

A thing we’ve learned: Pokémon Company International’s U.S. office is located in Bellevue, Washington. The firm just inked a lease for 374,000 square feet at Skanska’s new office development at 10666 NE Eighth Street.

Elsewhere in New York…

— Two brothers in Astoria face 130 counts of weapon possession and other charges after police found ghost guns, ammunition and homemade explosives in the apartment they shared with their mother and another brother, CBS New York reports. Andrew Hatziagelis, 39, and Angelo Hatziagelis, 51, allegedly had a “hit list” which named police officers, judges, politicians, celebrities, bankers and others.

— Democrats are homing in on shoplifting, potentially rivaling Republicans’ tough-on-crime messaging ahead of this year’s elections, Politico New York reports. Democrats are keen to flip five U.S. House seats in New York this year.

— To crack down on fare evasion, the MTA is reconfiguring emergency exits at three subway stations, Gothamist reports. The emergency doors at 138th Street-Third Avenue on the 6 line, Flushing Avenue on the J, M and Z lines, and 59th Street on the 4, 5 and 6 lines will take 15 seconds to open starting in mid-February. The agency estimates that fare evasion cost it $285 million in 2022.

Closing Time

Residential: The priciest residential closing Monday was $3.5 million for a condo at 1666 57th Street in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

Commercial: The most expensive commercial closing of the day was $30 million for the Roger Smith Hotel at 501-507 Lexington Avenue, Midtown.

New to the Market: The priciest residence to hit the market Monday was a condo at 56 Leonard Street in Tribeca asking $8.5 million. Sotheby’s International has the listing.

Breaking Ground: The largest new building filing of the day was for a 139,000-square-foot, nine-story commercial building at 37-18 138th Street, Queens. Angelo NG & Anthony NG Architects filed the permit application. — Jay Young