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🌱 Patch AM: How a fraud case upended public defense services across Queens neighborhoods

Coming up on the Queens Patch calendar: Herbert Holler's Annual 80s Night + 50th Birthday!

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Tuesday December 30th Patch AM
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Cheers Queens! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a fraud case upended public defense services across Queens neighborhoods
  • How Queens riders must adjust as MetroCards disappear this week
  • How 2026’s new laws will hit Queens wallets and commutes

Also on today's calendar: Herbert Holler's Annual 80s Night + 50th Birthday! and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Queensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Queensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Very windy; colder, with a high of 36 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Breezy with morning flurries, temps: high: 37, low: 25.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high of 30 and low of 21 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Feds expand fraud case against former Queens Defenders boss (queenseagle.com) — Federal prosecutors have dramatically expanded fraud charges against the former head of Queens Defenders and her husband, alleging hundreds of thousands in misspent funds that helped support a penthouse in Astoria and luxury travel. The case has already led the city to pull a major Queens criminal defense contract and shift services and staff to Brooklyn Defender Services, reshaping legal aid for local residents.
   

2. New York subway ends its MetroCard era and switches fully to tap-and-go fares (nbcnewyork.com) — Queens riders need to switch from MetroCards to OMNY, as the MTA will stop selling and refilling MetroCards after December 31, 2025, though existing cards work into 2026. A Queens-filed NBC report highlights how the change affects everyday subway and bus commutes, including seniors worried about new machines and riders adjusting to tap-and-go fares and weekly fare caps.
   

3. New laws for 2026 hit taxes, minimum wage in New York, New Jersey (nbcnewyork.com) — Queens residents should prepare for higher subway, bus, bridge, and tunnel costs in 2026, though existing toll discounts for Queens drivers stay in place. The piece also details statewide changes to minimum wage, child tax credits, new baby benefits, consumer protections, and rules for delivery workers and new all‑electric buildings that will affect many local households.
   

4. NYPD employee accused of choking brother-in-law in Queens home: DA (pix11.com) — An NYPD auto body worker is charged after prosecutors say he choked his brother-in-law during a dispute inside a Queens home near 128th Avenue and 161st Street. He pleaded not guilty and was released without bail, while a separate recent case involves an NYPD sergeant accused of choking his girlfriend at his Queens apartment.
   

5. Samuel King joins New York public media's Capitol News Bureau (wamc.org) — A Queens-born journalist, Samuel King, is taking a key statehouse reporting role with New York Public News Network, based in Albany. With two decades of experience, he plans to explain complex legislative and budget issues in ways that matter to everyday New Yorkers, including listeners back home in Queens.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • New cat at my window alert !!
    Seems the underground cat railroad sent another my way to my filthy window .cat food ready to go for all in need ! This one seems sweet n gentle but… (Nextdoor Hillcrest)
  • Happy holidays everyone.
    My wife and I had our vehicle stolen at 3am this morning. Toyota Grand Highlander. We live in the glen oaks garden apartments on 77th Crescent in… (Nextdoor Bellerose - East)
  • Bango Bowls posted a job opening for Shift Manager in New Hyde Park. Apply here.

Ok Queens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
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