NYC NOW - May 23, 2024: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: May 23, 2024

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: A grand jury has indicted caterer, music producer, author, and landlord Ettore Mazzei on charges of running a massive drug-dealing network on Staten Island responsible for multiple overdose deaths. Plus, Newark police say they have arrested 19-year-old Antonio Ginestri of Queens, known for his viral videos speeding through traffic.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Thursday, May 23rd. Here's the morning headlines from David First. A grand jury is indicting a man for allegedly running a massive drug-dealing network on Staten Island, responsible for multiple overdose deaths. WNYC's Matt Katz reports. More than two dozen people have been arrested as part of a scheme selling

heroin and other drugs in the Stapleton neighborhood. Prosecutors say the operation was run by a caterer, music producer, author, and landlord named Atori Mazi, who just two years ago was honored with a leadership award by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Authorities say they used confidential informants, intercepted communications, and surveillance to identify Mazi, who was also accused of extortion and fraudulently obtaining COVID relief funds, food stamps, and rental assistance. Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon says,

Mazee built a labyrinth of crime. An attorney for Mazzi did not immediately return a call for comment. Newark police say a queen's teen known for viral video showing him driving through traffic at breakneck speeds has been arrested. WNYC's Ramsey Caliphay reports. In an April 11 video posted to YouTube, the driver of a black BMW does donuts around an occupied Newark Police Department SUV. Authorities now say this video helped identify the person behind a popular social media account, Squeeze Benz. 19-year-old Antonio Genestri from Flushing Queens was one of the most prolific street racers around Newark, according to the NYPD.

Videos allegedly show him driving as fast as 130 miles per hour through gridlock, evading police. He faces charges in Manhattan, Newark, and Fairfield, New Jersey. Genestri's attorney did not respond to request for comment. 68 degrees now, cloudy, a high evade. 82, a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Thanks for listening. This is NYC Now from WNYC. Be sure to catch us every weekday, three times a day, for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives.

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