Courts Reporter

John Annese

John Annese covers federal and state courts in Brooklyn for the New York Daily News. Before coming to the News in 2015, he reported on crime, courts, and the Staten Island opioid epidemic for the Staten Island Advance. He is the recipient of several New York State Associated Press Association Awards. @johnannese.bsky.social on Bluesky and @john.annese on Threads

James (Jimmy) LaForte. (Government Evidence)

Gambino soldier admits to table-flipping rampage at Midtown restaurant, extortion racket

February 5, 2026 at 8:47 a.m.

James (Jimmy) LaForte, 49, is the 10th and final defendant to plead guilty in the scheme, which saw Gambino mobsters celebrating with champagne as they used violence and arson to...

Nechemya Weberman, left, a religious counselor in New York Citys ultra-orthodox Jewish community, confers with his lawyer, George Farkas, in Brooklyn state Supreme Court in New York Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013.

NY judge cuts sex abuser’s original 103-year-sentence to 18 as victim voices outrage, fear

January 29, 2026 at 8:38 a.m.

The victim read from a statement, quietly at first but more forcefully as she continued. She described Weberman's "smug smile" and his "need for control" as Weberman, who appeared from...

Theodore “Skinny Teddy” Persico Jr., the nephew of notorious Colombo boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico,” is pictured in an undated mugshot.

NY crime family heir apparent promised to steer clear, but feds say he’s running the family

January 24, 2026 at 11:53 a.m.

Theodore “Skinny Teddy” Persico Jr., the nephew of notorious Colombo boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico,” has officially taken the title once held by his late uncle, according to federal prosecutors.

Federal agents conduct an immigration sweep on Canal Street in Chinatown, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in New York.

Judge blasts ICE for defying court by holding Jamaican immigrant in ‘putrid’ NY cell

December 21, 2025 at 9:26 a.m.

A Long Island federal judge blasted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for ignoring court orders to release a Jamaican immigrant married to a U.S. citizen whom ICE detained for days...

Michael Chkhikvishvili, a citizen of Georgia, ran the Russian and Ukrainian “Maniac Murder Cult” hate group and went by the nickname "Commander Butcher." The neo-Nazi leader, who wrote a manifesto called the "Haters Handbook," pleaded guilty in Brooklyn to spearheading a bizarre murder plot to dress as Santa and give poison candy to minority children on New Year's Eve. (Shutterstock)

Neo-Nazi leader admits to NYC hate crime plots, including posing as Santa to poison minority kids

November 18, 2025 at 8:42 a.m.

Michael Chkhikvishvili, 22, a citizen of Georgia, ran the Russian and Ukrainian “Maniac Murder Cult” hate group and went by the nickname "Commander Butcher."

Jets Cornerback Kris Boyd is in critical condition after he was shot in the abdomen on West 38th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday Nov. 16, 2025.

NY Jets NFL cornerback Kris Boyd shot, critically hurt outside NYC restaurant

November 16, 2025 at 5:57 p.m.

The 29-year-old NFL player was shot in the abdomen on W. 38th St. near Seventh Ave. and is "clinging to life" at Bellevue Hospital, amNY reported.

Sex dungeon financier Howard Rubin’s doting grandpa plea falls flat; judge keeps him locked up

October 21, 2025 at 10:09 a.m.

"Sex dungeon" financier Howard Rubin apparently doesn't like it when he's the one locked up, but his pleas didn't convince a Brooklyn Federal Court judge who refused to release him...

Author Neil Gaiman sued by former nanny, alleging violent sexual abuse and rape

October 30, 2025 at 7:22 p.m.

The suits brought by Scarlett Pavlovich come after Gaiman, 64, was recently accused in a New York Magazine cover story of sexually assaulting, abusing, and forcing at least eight women...

Neil Gaiman attends the 2024 Writers Guild Awards New York Ceremony on April 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Writers Guild of America East)

Author Neil Gaiman sued by former nanny for violent sexual abuse and rape

February 4, 2025 at 9:52 a.m.

The suits brought by Scarlett Pavlovich come after Gaiman, 64, was recently accused in a New York Magazine cover story of sexually assaulting, abusing, and forcing at least eight women...

Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera, centre, speaks to the media

At least 10 people wounded in mass shooting outside Queens nightclub

January 2, 2025 at 1:14 p.m.

The explosion of violence outside the Amazura nightclub in Jamaica might involve gangs — but was not terrorism, NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera said.

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