NY CRIME BRIEFS

Accountant admits to aiding al-Qaida

Sabirhan Hasanoff, a Brooklyn accountant, pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan on Monday to providing "financial support, equipment and technical advice" to al-Qaida.

Hasanoff, 36, a Baruch College graduate who held a high-paying job in Dubai at the time of his 2010 arrest, was charged along with associate Wasam el-Hanafi with trying to help "modernize" the terror group by providing computer and financial expertise.

El-Hanafi has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Hasanoff, who holds joint U.S. and Australian citizenship, will face up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing July 23.

-- JOHN RILEY

Judge orders new trial after citing juror

A judge described a juror as a "pathological liar" as he cited her for misconduct and ordered a new trial in Manhattan for three of four people convicted in the largest tax fraud prosecution in U.S. history.

Federal Judge William Pauley said Monday that a new trial was necessary despite the length of the three-month trial. The trial ended with convictions of two prominent lawyers, the former head of a major accounting firm and an accountant. He said one juror made a "calculated, criminal decision to get on the jury" and made "breathtaking" lies about her background to do so.

He did not allow a new trial for one defendant, saying his attorneys discovered problems with the juror and then failed to inform the judge, thus "toying with the court."

Two men indicted in drug trafficking

Two people have been indicted in a Queens drug trafficking case that authorities say involved some creative attempts to get around the law.

They said Monday about 18 pounds of cocaine and $70,000 in cash were recovered. Investigators say drugs were found in an oven and in a secret compartment of a dresser. They say the suspects also glued small towels and twisty-ties inside a tire to conceal drugs there and hid a half-pound of cocaine under an sport utility vehicle seat.

Wilmar Florez-Jimenez and Alvaro Montoya pleaded not guilty Monday to drug-sale and other charges. The top count carries the potential for up to 20 years in prison. Florez-Jimenez is 30. Montoya is 51.

The New York City special narcotics prosecutor and state police announced the case.

Murder conviction in bystander shooting

A man has been convicted of murder after admitting he fired into a crowd outside a Manhattan apartment building. A bystander -- a 17-year-old girl -- was killed.

Boris Brown faces up to life in prison after Monday's verdict.

Co-defendant Devon Coughman was acquitted of murder and other charges but convicted of weapon possession.

The prosecutor said the two were seeking revenge after being held up on Oct. 3, 2010.

The 22-year-old Brown told police he'd fired at the crowd but didn't mean to kill bystander Cheyenne Baez.

Brown's attorney argued the confession was coerced. The defense said even if it were valid, the shooting didn't meet legal standards for murder.

Coughman's attorney said his 24-year-old client didn't know Brown had a gun.

Falcon chicks hatch on three bridges

Peregrine parents are finding New York City's bridges to be the perfect roost for raising a family.

Seven falcon chicks have recently hatched at the Verrazano-Narrows, Throgs Neck, and Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial bridges.

The MTA Bridges and Tunnels agency has posted video on YouTube. It shows a wildlife specialist braving dizzying heights to band the fuzzy, white chubby birds. One chick is wrapped in a white towel. Several appear less than amused by the necessary procedure.

Peregrine falcons were nearly wiped out in the 1960s because of pesticides and remain on the state endangered birds list.

The names of the new residents are Leif (leef), Belle, Jake, Bennett, Gil, Skye and Baysie.

Compiled from wire services