NEW YORK – As New York City Mayor Eric Adams prepared to hold a lengthy press conference at City Hall, a potential witness in one of the investigations sprawling around the administration wraps up his own press conference just steps away, saying that he had been the victim of a corrupt “harassment.”
Brooklyn juice bar owner and late night Shamel Kelly held his own press conference Tuesday saying he was the victim of a corrupt scheme involving an aide to the mayor and the police department.
Along with his lawyers, Kelly said he opposed aggressive policing of noise complaints. Seeking help dealing with them all, Kelly said City Hall employee Ray Martin called the owner of a security business overnight, who told him he could make him the complaints go for price.
Kelly said he later learned that the security consulting firm was run by James Caban, the twin brother of former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who resigned in September.
“I felt like I was blackmailed,” Kelly told reporters.
His lawyers said it was extortion.
“He is cooperating in this federal investigation to find out how extensive, how long and how many people are involved,” said attorney Bernarda Villalona.
Kelly provided a video showing dozens of officers right outside the door of his Coney Island business for one of the alleged noise complaints, which Kelly’s lawyers said has been turned over to federal prosecutors. . There had been dozens of noise complaints to 311 about loud music, but the state liquor authority said they had no history of crime.
Kelly also showed NBC New York text messages with Martin and the police commissioner’s brother. He said James Caban asked for $2,500 to start, with possible ongoing payments from now on. Kelly claims that after he refused to pay, compliance issues escalated and he closed business in February.
“I started losing a lot of funding because of too much harassment. No one really wanted to come to my center like that,” said Kelly.
“If there’s a noise complaint, you do your job properly. What you don’t do is go in, investigate, go through cabinets, harass,” said attorney Harry Daniels.
Federal investigators and the city’s Bureau of Investigation have been looking into the allegations.
Eddie and James Caban’s phones were confiscated by federal agents. A lawyer for James Caban, Sean Hecker, said that his client “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing” and that his engagement was completely legal, saying that when the” investigation completed, it will be clear that these allegations are baseless and have no merit. .” “. Eddie Caban has also denied any wrongdoing.
Martin was fired for false accusations after NBC New York first raised Kelly’s allegations in September. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The New York Police Department declined to comment, citing ongoing federal criminal investigations into City Hall and the police department.
Adams said he was not aware of the allegations, which were first reported a few weeks ago, but that “nobody should treat a business owner unfairly in any way.”
2024-10-02 03:57:09
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