Colamussi Cops Plea To Forced Labor Charge

The former owner of the Thatched Cottage Ralph Colamussi, inset photo, pled guilty last week to federal forced labor charges. The former catering hall remains vacant but a buyer plans to open a new catering facility at the site.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

The former owner of the Thatched Cottage catering hall in Centerport has pled guilty to federal charges of forced labor.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced last Wednesday that Ralph Colamussi, 64, of Huntington, admitted to forcing Filipino nationals to work at his catering venue under threat of deportation.

Colamussi entered the plea last week before United States District Judge Denis R. Hurley in federal court in Central Islip.

In a statement released last week, prosecutors said Colamussi admitted in the plea proceeding he staffed the Thatched Cottage with workers who were brought from the Philippines to the United States on H-2B visas that expired shortly after their arrival.

“Once their H-2B visas expired, Colamussi coached workers how to apply for student visas by fraudulently representing that they intended to attend school full-time and had sufficient resources to support themselves during school,” the statement said.

Colamussi also admitted in court that he deposited funds in bank accounts to allow the workers to fraudulently obtain student visas, and then withdrew the funds once the student visas were approved.

In his plea Colamussi said he used threats of deportation to intimidate the illegal workers. When the workers objected to performing certain jobs, working long hours or not being paid on time “he threatened to report them to immigration authorities.”

Hauppauge-based attorney Anthony LaPinta, who is representing Colamussi, confirmed Tuesday his client’s guilty plea.

“Mr. Colamussi has taken responsibility for his regretful conduct. Our priority at this time is to provide him with much needed medical care,” LaPinta said.

Colamussi operated the Thatched Cottage in Centerport for three decades before filing for bankruptcy in January 2014. Before the bankruptcy auction later that year, Colamussi was found unconscious and doused in gasoline in a van parked in a Huntington village parking lot. Officials at the time said it was an apparent suicide attempt, but Colamussi reportedly later denied that claim.

Hauppauge-based developer The Crest Group purchased the Thatched Cottage property in 2016, and plans call for a new venue, called Water’s Edge, to be up and running by early 2019.

Colamussi was indicted in December for the forced labor and fraud charges along with the Thatched Cottage’s former manager Roberto Villanueva, a citizen of the Philippines who lives in Glen Head. John Marzulli, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York, said the case against Villanueva is proceeding.

Mineola-based attorney Edward Jenks, who is representing Villanueva, said on Wednesday that his client is currently maintaining his not guilty position, but Colamussi’s guilty plea “could be a game changer.”

Colamussi is cooperating with the prosecution as part of his guilty plea and is alleging Villanueva “was the brains behind the operation,” according to Jenks.

Colamussi faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as restitution and a fine of up to $250,000, but LaPinta said he hoped for a “reasonable sentence.”

“At the time of sentencing, we will provide significant mitigation for his conduct, which will hopefully result in a reasonable sentence,” LaPinta said.

Villanueva is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday in Central Islip before Judge Hurley.

Bicycle Recycle Honors Late Biker

Deborah Porretto and Lisa Karrer, co-founders of Brett’s Bicycle Recycle, talked with Assemblymen Steve Stern, far right, about the non-profit during Huntington Awareness Day. Photo: Dana E. Richter, Dana Richter Photography

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Out of tragedy, something beautiful has come about.

After the death of her younger brother, Brett Rainey, in a motorcycle accident in 2015, Lisa Karrer and her wife, Deborah Porretto, of Huntington Station, were looking for a way to honor his memory and do some good. Rainey had worked in a bike shop before his death and always had a love for fixing things. Brett’s Bicycle Recycle was born as a way to recycle bikes by fixing them and donating them to those who don’t have the financial means to buy a bicycle. They’ve donated 180 bikes so far.

“Ever since Brett was four he would take apart everything and put it back together,” Karrer said. “If he didn’t like the way it worked he would make it work better.”

The organization held its first bike safety event in May 2017, giving away 75 bicycles to the Huntington community. The group has continued to donate bicycles throughout the year and held another event on Sept. 22 during Huntington Awareness Day.

People of all ages who needed bicycles were encouraged to come and test drive bikes of all sizes and styles. The organization gave out around 30 bikes, along with knee pads, reflectors, helmets, locks and, in some cases, training wheels.

“The training wheels are really great because they turn up,” Karrer said. “So when a kid wants to try without the training wheels they can just turn them up and if they’re too scared they can turn them back down so they don’t have to take them off.”

Once children outgrow their bikes, the organization is asking them to donate them back and they will be given another. They accept donations for transportation devices of all kinds from skateboards and scooters to bicycles and tricycles.

“A lot of these bikes actually have a story. One that we had gotten her brother had passed away from a fire. Or someone’s husband died and they used to ride bikes together or someone lost their child and it was their bicycle,” Karrer said. “They know someone would appreciate it even more.”

When a person donates to Brett’s Bicycle Recycle, they will get a picture of the person who is receiving the recycled bicycle, letting them know their contribution had an impact.

“We know how much it means when you give something because someone passed away and they’re giving it in their memory, letting go of something that’s so important,” Karrer said.

Jordan Gonzalez takes a test drive during Huntington Awareness Day. Photo: Dana E. Richter, Dana Richter Photography

From the bikes the organization receives, Karrer estimates half are in good condition while the rest need major repairs or will just be used for parts.

Karrer is still learning how to repair bicycles, but gets help from volunteers with more experience. Bill Gerow has raised money for Brett’s Bicycle Recycle, and has repaired more than 40 bikes.

“You’re surprised to see how many people are willing to help,” Karrer said. “And how many people are willing to donate their time and energy and their love.”

The organization has partnered with Huntington Community First Aid Squad. When Rainey’s motorcycle accident occurred, First Aid Squad Captain Kathy Castillo was on the scene. She would later become a board member for the organization, helping to teach bike safety.

“No one sees motorcyclists, no one sees bicyclists,” Karrer said. “We try to make everybody aware and teach kids that nobody really sees you, you gotta watch out for them. You gotta keep your eyes on them because nobody is gonna pay attention to you.”

Rainey was hit by a car turning left whose driver didn’t see him coming.

“You don’t see a motorcyclist. To them, it’s so tiny,” Karrer said. “One minute it’s not there and the next second it’s right in front of them and they don’t see it.”

The organization makes donations throughout the year in Brett’s memory. Those who know someone that is in need of a bicycle can contact Brett’s Bicycle Recycle through their website, brettsbicyclerecycle.com. This is also how people can sign up to volunteer and repair bikes or donate.

Rezone Of Former Tennis Club OKd

Once art of the Otto Herman Kahn Estate, the one-time tennis club on Woodbury Road will make way for a senior care facility.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

The Huntington Town Board approved last month a developer’s plan to construct an assisted living facility on the corner of Woodbury Road and East Gate Drive in Cold Spring Harbor.

The board approved the zone change application from Virginia-based Artis Senior Living, which currently operates 14 memory care facilities in nine states. Artis requested a R-20 to R-HS zone change for the 3.96-acre property to allow for the construction of a 30,882-square-foot, one-story building and 63 parking spaces, 19 of which would be landbanked stalls, according to plans received by the Huntington planning department in November.

The zone change resolution, which was sponsored by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and seconded by Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, was passed unanimously by the town board.

R-HS zoning allows for the construction of congregate-care, assisted-living, nursing home and life-care communities. The proposed 64-bed assisted living facility would be oriented towards “individuals with early to mid stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” according to Max Ferentinos, Artis’ Vice President of Development.

The property currently houses an abandoned tennis club with eight tennis courts and a clubhouse, which plans show are slated to be removed.

The town board approved the zone change subject to nine conditions, including limiting hours for deliveries and requiring the facility’s be from Woodbury Road. The town board also required that landscaped buffers of 45 feet in width must be provided along East Gate Drive and Woodbury Road.

The town board required Artis to ask state, county and town agencies to synchronize their traffic signals on Woodbury Road to address traffic concerns raised by neighbors at a public hearing in August.

The current zone change application also requires a building setback variance from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.