June 18, 2005

A.G. BLAMES BUSH ; SPITZER CALLS FED BANK SUIT 'UNCONSCIONABLE'

This didn't take long to turn into a street fight. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer lashed out at the Bush administration and a federal bank regulator yesterday, saying the lawsuit filed...

WALL ST. BIG CAUGHT WITH HIS PANTS DOWN

The entire trading desk at a Greenwich Village trading firm quit en masse to protest the tyrannical reign of their CEO - accusing him of blowing company cash on hookers...

DONALDSON POT: GRASSO'S KETTLE

Outgoing Securities and Exchange Commission chief Bill Donaldson got a rap on the knuckles yesterday for always calling Dick Grasso greedy. The hitch is that Donaldson's also taking a similar...

GIMME SHELTER

Seagrams by the sea ENTERTAINMENT mogul Edgar Bronfman Jr. is a motivated Hamptons seller after buying a larger, pricier place down the block from his Amagansett home for $12.5 million....

THEY JUST DO IT - CONCIERGE: PART SUPERHERO, PART BABYSITTER

THE phone rang at 9 p.m. When he answered, Eddie, a concierge at 2 Gold St., heard a panicked tenant on the other end of the line. "She said she...

HOME SHOPPING CLUB

Orange crush The Conran Shop 407 E. 59th St., First Avenue (212) 755-9079 Sale: June 24-26 Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Discontinued lines, floor-display merchandise and buyer's samples are up to...

GREEN 'N' GOLDEN

WAY before Wallace and Grommit, there was Gumby: the green, googly-eyed guy who inspired a Claymation nation. Now Gumby's 50 - and instead of a full-blown midlife crisis ("Bye, Pokey...

IRON MEN ; RAY AND KEVIN TEE UP LINKS LAUGHS

THE funniest moment of HBO's "Making the Cut" (tonight at 9) is when Kevin James does a dead-on impression of Ray Romano. It's a masterful impersonation encompassing all of Ray's...

WACKILY EVER AFTER - WHEN KATIE AND TOM SAY 'I DO' THE SCIENTOLOGY WAY

Forget the breaking of the glass, floral offerings to the Virgin Mary, and invocations to Lord Ganesha. When Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes tie the knot, they'll probably do it...

WE'VE GOT GAME

BATMAN BEGINS Formats: Xbox, PS2, GameCube Multiplayer: No. Rated: Teen (language, violence) What's it about: It's a lot like the new film (see Movie Guide). You play the Dark Knight,...

CHILLIN' ON THE SET OF ANTARCTICA

Kids watching coming attractions for "The March of the Penguins" had a question: Those hundreds of emperor penguins waddling across the ice were computer-generated, right? Absolutely not, says Luc Jacquet,...

WHAT'S UP? YOUR BEST BETS THIS WEEKEND AND AFTER

TODAY ANGELINA ON STAGE: If you're looking for little kid-friendly culture, look no further than American Ballet Theatre. ABTKids, a special hourlong program developed with families in mind, is featuring...

LEO IN STITCHES AFTER BOTTLE TOSS

Hunky actor Leonardo DiCaprio had a beer bottled chucked at his head while he was at a party hosted by Rick Solomon - famed co-star of the notorious Paris Hilton...

SPANISH TEST FOR SCHUMER

WASHINGTON - Sen. Charles Schumer is following in the footsteps of Mayor Bloomberg and showing off his Spanish on the airwaves. "El senador Chuck Schumer" delivers the weekly Spanish-language Democratic...

U.S. TALIBAN GUY ADMITS TO FRAUD

A former Taliban spokesman has admitted lying on a loan application and hiding income from Uncle Sam. Noorullah Zadran, 53, once the second-highest ranking Afghan official in the United States,...

'I'LL TAKE QUEEN'S PLACE' ; ANGUISH OF KILLER KID'S MOM

The mother of the 9-year-old girl accused of stabbing little Queen Washington to death has sadly told the 11-year- old's family that she "wishes she could take Queen's place," the...

THINGS NOT FINE WITH 'NO-CLASS' POL JENNINGS

Two months after City Councilman Allan Jennings was fined $5,000 and censured for abusing female staffers, he has yet to pay up or enroll in anger-management classes, The Post has...

NARCS TAKE ON SHARKS; FLOOD B'KLYN & BX.

Thugs in Brooklyn and The Bronx beware: There are more sheriffs in town. The NYPD flooded the two boroughs with all of Manhattan and Staten Island's narcotics cops yesterday due...

WEIRD BUT TRUE

An elderly man in Glen Burnie, Md., was hospitalized with burns covering 20 percent of his body after he tried to siphon gas from his car with a vacuum cleaner...

HOSP ETHICS CLOUD; AIDS PROBE WIDENING

WASHINGTON - The feds are now scrutinizing the ethics of all medical research on humans at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center because drug experiments were done on AIDS-stricken foster kids without proper...

PARTY TIME FOR TEAM JACKO AND DEVOTEES

BURBANK, Calif. - Devoted Michael Jackson fans will celebrate their idol's acquittal on child-molestation charges today with a bash at a nearby Indian reservation, according to published reports. Fans are...

2ND HOSP DEATH WAS LEGIONNAIRES

Legionnaires disease was a factor in the death of a second man at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, the city Medical Examiner's Office said yesterday. Richard Montesano, 63, had been awaiting heart surgery...

PROSECUTOR CLEARED IN TIT-FOR-TAT VOTE-FRAUD RAP

Authorities have opted not to bring charges against a high-ranking Brooklyn prosecutor accused of committing voter fraud. The Queens District Attorney's Office said it has completed and closed its investigation...

WED AND MISLED; BIGAMIST'S LATEST WIFE A 'WRECK'

Estranged for five years from family who were convinced her husband was a con man and bigamist, Joyce Reynolds yesterday began reassembling the tattered pieces of her life after learning...

NYPD DAILY BLOTTER

BROOKLYN *** Cops are asking for the public's assistance in finding a teenager who has been missing from Brookdale Hospital for nearly two weeks. Jessica Williams (above) was last seen...

MARRY ME, KATIE; SHE SAYS OUI TO CRUISE ATOP EIFFEL TOWER

Tom Cruise and his actress-girlfriend, Katie Holmes, interrupted their respective publicity tours yesterday to get engaged in Paris, the City of Love. "Today is a wonderful day for me," Cruise,...

SARGE KILLED GIS BY REMOTE; PLANTED MINE OUTSIDE IRAQ COMPOUND AS REVENGE FOR BEING PUNISHED: COLONEL

Disgruntled National Guard soldier Alberto Martinez used a powerful remote-control Claymore mine to murder his two superior officers in a plot to make the slaying resemble an Iraqi terrorist attack,...

LIFE'S A PITCH AS BLOOMBERG TAKES GAMES CASE TO AFRICA

New York got to pitch its Olympic bid yesterday directly to organizers of the 2012 Games gathered in Ghana, promising to welcome fans from Africa "like no other city can."...

TOURIST MUGGED IN CENTRAL PARK

A French tourist was robbed at knifepoint yesterday morning in Central Park, police said. Jacqueline Attias, 59, was accosted by the brazen thief in a public bathroom along the park's...

TRAGIC KIN RIP 'TRAITOR'; WIDOW: SHOW HIM 'NO MERCY'

The grieving widow of a National Guard officer allegedly murdered by one of his own men called the accused soldier yesterday a "traitor and a coward." In an emotional press...

PIG DUE FOR THE PEN AS JURY POUNDS TYCO THIEF KOZLOWSKI

Former Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski - the ruddy-faced robber baron whose $6,000 shower curtain and $15,000 umbrella stand became emblems of Enron-era executive excess - was convicted in Manhattan yesterday...

2ND CHOPPER CRASH-LANDS ; * 8 RESCUED FROM E. RIVER HORROR * EXECS GO DOWN AFTER TAKEOFF

Eight men were miraculously plucked from the East River alive after their corporate helicopter crashed tail-first into the water yesterday - the second chopper accident off Manhatan in four days,...

LOVEBIRDS JUST LEAVE ME COOING

LET me be the first one, and maybe the only one, to congratulate Mr. and Mrs.-to-be Tom Cruise. This is a genuine Hollywood fairy-tale romance: An aging, unglued hunk teams...

EX-COP IS ARRESTED IN EXTORTION RING: POLICE

A team of loan-sharks - including a retired NYPD cop - were busted yesterday for using threats to fleece at least $1 million from a group of frightened businessmen, authorities...

JACKO WAS A STARVING, SLEEPLESS MESS

BURBANK, Calif. - Michael Jackson could barely eat and sleep throughout a gut-wrenching kiddie-sex trial that emotionally drained the tree-climbing singer, his lawyer said yesterday. During an unusually serious "Tonight...

TRAGIC YANKEL'S KIN IN $1.25M DEAL WITH CITY

The family of Crown Heights stabbing victim Yankel Rosenbaum reached a settlement with the city yesterday - finally closing one of the darkest chapters in the city's history. The Rosenbaums...

2ND CHOPPER RIVER WRECK ; * FISHERMEN & CIVILIANS HEROES * BANK BIGS AMONG 8 RESCUED

Eight men were miraculously plucked from the East River alive yesterday after their corporate helicopter crashed tail-first into the water - the second chopper accident off Manhattan in four days,...

LOST AT SEA. ; MARINERS SINK METS' BATS

Mariners 5Mets 0 SEATTLE - The Mets still can't hit. And Kaz Ishii still has not proven he deserves to stay in the rotation. After temporarily shedding their slump by...

DAUBACH IN; DUG BACK ON BENCH

MET NOTES SEATTLE - For the second straight game, Brian Daubach was at first base and Doug Mientkiewicz was on the Mets' bench. "I don't know how long it's going...

KEV MAY DODGE DL, BUT ...

YANKEE NOTES Before last night's game, manager Joe Torre and GM Brian Cashman sounded as if Kevin Brown were a lock to go on the DL with a balky back....

PROGRESS AT NHL TALKS

The long slog continues, but the end of the NHL lockout is now more "when" than "if." A host of meat-and-potatoes issues, things like free agency, arbitration and benefits -...

LALAS LAND ; NEW GM FIRES UP METROS

The MetroStars' tilt against the visiting Columbus Crew tonight will have more subplots than a Tom Clancy novel. On Monday the Metros replaced President and GM Nick Sakiewicz with Alexi...

LOUISVILLE'S GARCIA IMPRESSES NETS

When Louisville guard Francisco Garcia worked out for the Nets yesterday, his eyes were on an NBA career. But his mind was on his family. Garcia's younger brother, Hector, was...

'SELECTION,' ASHADO SET TO SQUARE OFF

They're not exactly Affirmed and Alydar, but the 4-year-old fillies Ashado and Society Selection continue a rivalry dating back to when they were 2-year-olds in today's Grade 1, $300,000 Ogden...

DISMAL DUNCAN: 'I HAVE TO BE A LEADER'

AUBURN HILLS - Tim Duncan put it all on his shoulders yesterday. After stinking out the Palace for two straight games, Duncan knows he must be The Man tomorrow when...

JASPERS' GONZO EASES UP

Manhattan coach Bobby Gonzalez hasn't exactly mellowed, but the players chosen for the USA under-22 team might find a more receptive coach this summer. After three straight 20-win seasons, the...

TIGER'S CLAWS COME OUT

U.S. OPEN NOTEBOOK PINEHURST, N.C. - There was much question around the U.S. Open grounds yesterday about whether Tiger Woods should have been assessed a two-stroke penalty for an angry...

BAT'S MORE LIKE IT ; METS HOPING TO KEEP HITS COMING

SEATTLE - In the visiting manager's office in Oakland after the Mets' 9-6 win over the A's on Thursday, Willie Randolph was asked a question. The Mets had scored seven...

HENN MAY GET START

YANKEE NOTES Get ready for Sean Henn II. With Kevin Brown's balky back carrying the veteran right-hander to the disabled list very soon, the Yankees are making plans to have...

LONG DAY FOR PAVIN

PINEHURST, N.C. - Corey Pavin surely slept well last night. Pavin, playing in his final U.S. Open using the 10-year exemption he received after his 1995 Open victory, flew via...

AMAZIN'S HAVE SEEN BOTH SIDES OF GRAVES

MET NOTES SEATTLE - If Danny Graves was the bright spot in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the A's, he was also the bad spot in Thursday's 9-6 victory. Graves' first...

LEE COULD WEAR CROWN

When the Cubs lost sluggers Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou this offseason, Derrek Lee said he understood what kind of an impact that would have on the team. "I knew...

POWERFUL BATTERY - FLAHERTY HELPS UNIT IMPROVE FOR YANKEES

If pairing John Flaherty with Randy Johnson is the reason Johnson has returned to his dominant self, Joe Torre isn't going to muck it up. So, when Johnson takes the...

THREE'S A CROWD - TRIO TIED AT TOP AS PINEHURST HURTS FIELD

PINEHURST, N.C. - All day, we waited for one of the stars to emerge from the struggling pack and make a move -any move - to seize this 105th U.S....

VICKIE GOES FOR 3,000 - LIBERTY VETERAN LOOKINGTO JOIN ELITE WNBA CLUB

Vickie Johnson scored 27 points in her college debut at Louisiana Tech. And even though she led her team to a victory against a Texas Tech team that had Sheryl...

BROWN WINDS DOWN

NBA FINALS NOTEBOOK AUBURN HILLS - Larry Brown is getting nostalgic again, giving strong indications yesterday his coaching days are down to their last few because of health issues. During...

FINLANDIA CAPTURES OPENER

First, sixth and ninth races taken off turf; only fourth remained on lawn. 1ST RACE - Stag Dancer went to early lead, was overtaken down backside by High Rise Pro,...

NEW GM FIRES UP METROS

The MetroStars' game against the visiting Crew tonight will have more subplots than a Tom Clancy novel. On Monday, the Metros replaced president and GM Nick Sakiewicz with Alexi Lalas,...

THIS BITES! USGA'S MONSTER COURSE EATING UP GOLF'S ELITE

PINEHURST, N.C. - Wake me up when they reach the back nine tomorrow. Maybe then the 2005 U.S. Open will be worth watching. So far, golf's second major championship of...

IT'S GONE-ZILLA ; MATSUI MADNESS CONTINUES AS YANKS CLUB CUBS

Yankees 9Cubs 6 Twice Dusty Baker went by the book that preaches bringing in a lefty reliever to face a lefty hitter. Then the Cubs' manager watched Hideki Matsui tear...

BOMBERS IN CHASE FOR METS' CAMERON

The Yankees are one of three teams that have talked to the Mets concerning outfielder Mike Cameron, The Post has learned. Poised to improve their up-and-down club, the Yankees are...

HENN COULD START OVER

YANKEE NOTES Get ready for Sean Henn II. With Kevin Brown's balky back carrying the veteran right-hander to the disabled list very soon, the Yankees are making plans to have...

GORE SAVORS SURPRISE LEAD

PINEHURST, N.C. - Jason Gore, the Nationwide Tour player who shot a 67 yesterday to grab a share of the U.S. Open lead with Retief Goosen and Olin Browne, hasn't...

BOSS: I'M IN CARL'S CORNER

Carl Pavano appears to be turning into a player who has trouble pitching in New York. After last night's subpar performance in which he surrendered six runs and 10 hits...

LOOKING AT DEAL FOR CAMERON

The Yankees are one of three teams that have talked to the Mets concerning outfielder Mike Cameron, The Post has learned. Poised to improve their up-and-down club, the Yankees are...

THIS ROUND JUST AW-PHIL

PINEHURST - The expression on Phil Mickelson's face - a forced smile - masked what was churning inside of him yesterday. After posting a brutal 7-over-par 77 in yesterday's U.S....