April 1, 2005
The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board
2 Lafayette Street, Suite 1010
New York, New York 10007
(212)442-1400

Greetings:

Please be advised that this document is a complaint filed on my behalf with the Conflict of Interests Board concerning the actions of the Kings County District Attorney, Charles J. Hynes and his executive staff.

There are two (2) allegations of misconduct, the gravamen of each are:

1. Over 30% of Hynes prosecutors do not meet the residency requirements.
2. Hynes accepts campaign contributions from his subordinates.

Upon information and belief that of the 98 Assistant District Attorneys ("ADA's") who earn $100,000 or more, that over 30% of these ADAs do not reside in the City of New York as required by State law.

Statutes and case references:

• Public officers law section 3.
• County Law section 702 paragraph 6.
• Attorney General opinion 86; 15-22.
• NYC Criminal Code Act section 94.
• NYC Administrative Code section 12:20.
• Mileto v. Sleight, 1998, 178 Misc. 2d. 562, 681 NYS. 2d. 189
• Brindisi v. Donalty 171 A.D. 2d. 1039, 579 NYS. 2d 614 (NYAD 4th Dept. 1991).

ADA Amoroso does vote from an address in Queens County, which is not his principal and permanent residence. The Queens address Amoroso votes from is a mail drop at a relatives house; however, his voter registration constitutes a Class B felony.

ADA John O'Mara, the $136,000 a year Chief of Homicide has been employed as an ADA since 1978. However, in 1985 he moved to 112 Mount Hebron Road, Montclair, New Jersey 07043; (973)744-0551.

Amy Feinstein, who Hynes has designated as his Chief ADA to act in his place should he become incapacitated, is required to be a Brooklyn resident. (Attorney General Opinion 86:15-22). Ms Feinstein does not claim to be a Brooklyn resident instead she resides at 1641 Third Avenue, New York City 10128.

In sum, you have to understand the severity of an ADA prosecuting a crime without jurisdiction. The ADAs at that pay level are all handling serious crimes - murder, rape, robbery, illegal voting.

The numbers, 1 out of 3 ADAs in Brooklyn, violating residency requirements is serious.

1. Dino Amoroso
   164 Canterberry Gate
   Lynbrook, Long Island 11563
   (516)887-2799
2. Sheryl Hirsch Anania
   Scarsdale, New York
3. Michelle Armstrong
   2959 Western Blvd.
   Baldwin, NY 11510
4. Donald Berk
   15 Carnegie Avenue
   Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
5. Christopher Blank
   6 Webb Road
   Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
6. Harvey Casper
   60 Virginia Avenue
   Oceanside, NY 11572
7. Teresa K. Corrigan
   706 White Avenue
   New Hyde Park, NY 11040
8. Craig R. Esswein
   20 Eaton Road
   Syosset, NY 11791
9. Amy Feinstein
   Chief Assistant - must reside in Brooklyn.
   1641 Third Avenue
   New York, NY 10128
10. 1Edgar N. Fox
    New Jersey
11. Joan B. Gabbidon
    860 McKenna Avenue
    Baldwin, NY 11510
12. Paul Gliatta
    19 Hamilton Road
    Scarsdale, NY 10583
13. 
    Mark Hale
    Connecticut
14. John J. Holmes
    100 Pelham Road
    New Rochelle, NY 10805
15. Melissa C. Jackson
    7 Kennedy Lane
    Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
16. Rhonnie E. Jaus
    125 Garden Street
    Great Neck, NY 11021
    Bureau Chief Sex Crimes, skirts law by having husband contribute.
17. Eugene R. Kelley
    P.O. Box 367
    St. James, NY 11780
18. Steven H. Kessler
    80 Pineridge Road
    White Plains, NY 10603
19. Deborah A. Lashley
    33 James Street
    Newark, New Jersey
20. James K. M. Leeper
    10 Birch Close
    Sleepy Hollow, NY 10581
21. Jeffrey R. Levitt
    29 Chuck Lane
    Selden, NY 11784
22. Lauren E. Mack
    370 West Passaic Street
    Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
23. Jodi L. Mandel
    32 Rosalind Place
    Lawrence, NY 11559
24. Heide E. Mason
    75 East Broadway
    Long Beach, NY 11561
25. Gregory P. Mitchel
    47-40 Glenwood Street
    Little Neck, NY 11362
26. Hilda A. Mortensen
    37 Hillside Avenue
    Glen Head, NY 11545
27. Kin-Wang Ng
    509 Smith Court
    Edgewater, New Jersey 07020
    or
    54 Oak Street
    Amityville, NY 11701
28. John P. O'Mara
    112 Mount Hebron Road
    Montclair, NJ 07043
    (973)744-0551 (Essex County)
29. Jill Schenkel
    4 Clarence Avenue
    Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706
30. Ephraim W. Seaban
    86-23 249"' Street
    Bellrose, NY 11426
31. Jay Shapiro
    28 Kisco Park Drive
    Mount Kisco, NY 10549
32. Anne J. Swern
    856 Kilmer Lane
    North Woodmere, NY 11581
33. Kenneth M. Taub
    211 East Shore Road
    Great Neck, NY 11023
    (Chief of Grand Jury)

Allegation Two:

As you know the provisions governing political activities, City Charters Sections 2604 b-9 through b-12 and b-15, are presented in plain language to ensure compliance. It is impermissible for a public servant to ask or accept a contribution from a subordinate. Most of the offending ADAs, about 74%, would regularly contribute $300 on a semi-annual basis to Hynes' campaign committees, which has amounted to over $70,000 in contributions. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this complaint within ten (10) days.

The Conflict of Interests Board has jurisdiction over all current and former city employees.

John K. O'Hara