UPDATE, June 25, 2001(corrected) City Hall Watch Apr26

TO: David Unger
NYS Division of Housing & Community Renewal
6th Floor, Statler Towers, 107 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14201
FROM: Richard Kern, MSW, Housing Advocate

RE: Fraud & WSNHS Vice Pres. Greg Fina, Esq.

I have still not had an explanation from WSNHS Dir. Linda Chiarenza or Board Pres. Mike Flynn of the role of WSNHS Vice Pres. Greg Fina, Esq. in launching the King brother's FHA scam from Fina's former Buffalo residence. He is also violating City residency law as a City hearing officer.

What has your investigation found? Please respond immediately. I am planning further action to address widespread ethics & accountability issues in city government.

COPY: April 26, 2001

RE: WSNHS ETHICS, ACCOUNTABILITY ISSUES

As we discussed on Tues., I am concerned about serious ethics issues involving West Side Neighbor-hood Housing Service Bd. Vice Pres. Gregory Fina, ESQ. which WSNHS has refused to address in any way.

WSNHS has long been perceived to be both ineffective & politically dominated by the West Side “Perla machine” of which Fina, a decade-long Kenmore resident is a ‘lieutenant’. My recent discovery of his possible role in the King brothers’ FHA scam has compounded my longtime concern about his lying about his residency both as a lawyer & city hearing officer, & Chair of WSNHS Nominating Committee. Fina’s former-Buffalo residence (296 Baynes) became Charles King’s official address as Fina held the mortgage, until King’s FHA-scam sale in 1996. Following HUD-foreclosure at $103,635 in 1/99, King’s $84,000 sale in 9/96 became a $8,001 HUD re-sale in 9/99, a net loss to HUD of well over $95,000 in 3 years. (corrected)

WSNHS has refused to take any action on housing scams, which are devastating low-income neighborhoods citywide. The King sentencing has been postponed 3x on a guilty plea now over a yr old. The WSNHS seems unconcerned that their vice pres. may have been involved in the scam . . . part of the problem, not part of the solution. Or, more charitably, they may fear to challenge him because he is “connected”.

WSNHS is unwilling to consider new strategies despite precipitous decline of the West Side. My being neither politically correct, nor a ‘hapless victim’ willing to be passively “serviced” by the human service model of the agency apparently justifies their ignoring my concerns. Indeed, most knowledgeable citizens have given up on the agency, viewing it as unwilling & unable (politically) to reform obviously failed housing policy & practices. That is both tragic & outrageous, as epidemic West Side middle class flight creates plummeting property values. I have attached communications to WSNHS & housing officials on April 2 & April 18. I have had no response of any kind.
Please help restore ethics & accountability to WSNHS.

Cc. HUD Inspector Gen; Housing Commissioner Ryan; WSNHS Board members

354 Baynes Buffalo, NY 14213 (716)882-2388 Kernwatch@AOL.com
www.kernwatch.com