Judge Rules Bronx Political Hopeful Tapia Must Pay Severe Campaign Finance Penalties; City Campaign Funding Unaccounted For

Yudelka Tapia’s path to becoming an elected official hit a roadblock this week when a judge upheld the New York City Campaign Finance Board’s decision to hold her accountable for more than $100,000 in penalties and reimbursement payments, stemming from an unsuccessful City Council campaign in 2009.

Bronx Pols Start Picking Sides in Mayoral Race

With the crowded race for mayor beginning to pick up steam this spring, Bronx elected officials are starting to divide into separate Democratic camps. So far, mayoral hopefuls Christine Quinn, Bill de Blasio and Bill Thompson have each received public support from Bronx politicians.

‘Serious’ Vacca Protege Making Waves in Crowded Bronx Council Race

Ritchie Torres is so young that his mother named him after seeing “La Bamba,” a movie about Mexican-American pop singer Ritchie Valens who died in a plane crash in 1959. The movie, staring Lou Diamond Phillips, was released in 1987.

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Bangladeshi Group Gathers in Bronx To Support War Crimes Tribunal

Dozens of Bangladeshi New Yorkers congregated at a church in Norwood on a recent Sunday evening to demonstrate their support for a controversial war crimes tribunal that is prosecuting alleged crimes against humanity stemming from Bangladesh’s war for independence more than 40 years ago.

Under Indictment, Castro Helps Build Corruption Case

Nelson Castro’s career as a politician and undercover informant began with a lie. Ironically, the lie made him one of the most trustworthy lawmakers in New York. This is how the former Bronx assemblyman went from indicted to accomplished lawmaker to critical government informant.

Op-ed: Why NYPD Needs an Inspector General

In June of 2012, the City Council introduced a bill that would establish the office of Inspector General for the Police Department. The office would oversee the policies and practices of the NYPD and analyze the effect of those policies and practices on civil liberties, among other things. Mayor Bloomberg has expressed serious opposition to the bill, promising to veto the legislation and describing the creation of an Inspector General’s office as mere “politics” that tamper with public safety. The mayor could not be more wrong.

Underdog Candidate in 11th District Hypes Local Endorsement

While Andrew Cohen, the establishment favorite in the 11th District Council race, continues to trot out a cavalcade of endorsements, from the city’s most powerful labor unions to the Bronx borough president, his chief rival, Cliff Stanton, was thrilled to announce the backing of a small political club based in Norwood and Bedford Park.

25-Year-old Winning Money Game in 15th District Race (Corrected)

The race to replace Joel Rivera as City Council representative in District 15, which includes the Fordham-Bedford area, is shaping into the most unpredictable and interesting race in the Bronx this year.