Greenwich, Connecticut real estate, politics, and more.
Greenwich, Connecticut real estate, politics, and more
25 Field Point Circle, new today and listed at $19 million. I won’t play the “what’s the most prestigious address in Greenwich?” game, but Field Point Circle does command a place in the hierarchy.
30 Park Avenue, guide price of $4.5 million and certainly selling for more. The house has been left much as it was since constructed in 2011, so its price history offers a good look at what’s been going on in our market in recent years.
2011: List price $2.945 million, selling price $2.500 Days on Market (DOM) 142
2019: List price $2.795 million, selling price $2.850 DOM 7
2021: List price $2.995 million, selling price $3.295 DOM 10
2026: List price $4.5 million, selling price ? DOM 15
California’s unfinished wildlife ‘bridge to nowhere’ tops $100M.
In 2022, California Gov. Gavin Newsom broke ground on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing (WAWC), a project featuring an overpass for animals atop ten lanes of the 101 Freeway in Southern California.
At the ceremony, Newsom boasted that the state had committed $54 million. He promised to “complete the job within another $10 million,” before seeming to hedge on whether that final sum would do the trick.
Officials projected a 2025 completion date for the overpass, and estimated that the entire project — which includes the bridge and other ancillary developments — would cost $92 million, some of it coming from private philanthropists.
Nearly four years after the ceremony, the bridge is past due and the project some $21 million over budget. What was supposed to be the world’s largest wildlife crossing has become a jobs program for environmentalists, with taxpayers on the hook for what WAWC leader Beth Pratt told us is an overpass “for everything from monarch butterflies to mountain lions.”
Pratt, a cougar-sweater-wearing environmental activist who serves on WAWC’s Partner Leadership Team, is the program’s public face. She is also a regional executive director of the national Wildlife Federation. In 2021, the group received a $25 million grant from “Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation” for the bridge that bears the late philanthropist’s name.
I found more on this, which just demonstrates, yet again, why these projects are so beloved.
Why has a project primarily consisting of a bridge for animals cost over $100 million? One reason is that Newsom and WAWC’s philanthropic supporters apparently don’t mind it becoming a patronage program. As the WAWC-endorsing Wildlife Crossing Fund notes, citing the California Department of Transportation’s estimate, “for every $1 billion spent” on wildlife crossings, “13,000 jobs are created.”
Some of these jobs are absurd. The National Wildlife Federation’s WAWC website claims that “[o]ur Native Plant Nursery”—apparently funded by the nonprofit SAMO Fund and other “partners”—“has prioritized hiring Indigenous team members to help steward the plants that will vegetate the bridge.” The nursery’s co-manager said she makes an “offering” after collecting seeds, sometimes including pieces of her hair.
Or consider the ways one of the nursery workers and her associates have spent their time. The nursery’s founding manager worked with “helpers and volunteers” to “seed scout[]” across the Santa Monica Mountains. Her associates on the “design team” received “feedback from all the various project partners”—including state and federal bureaucrats—for their plant list.
A group of experts apparently adds to the operation’s expense. A fungi whiz, Pratt says, worked as a WAWC habitat designer, periodically scrutinizing root samples under a microscope. A contracted soil scientist said his process involves assessing local dirt to “rebuild it . . . as close to nature as possible.”
One reason California supposedly needs this overpass is to ensure the safety and genetic diversity of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains, where only about a dozen non-kitten cougars live at any given time. While bridge proponents claim that the local mountain lion population could otherwise face extinction, researchers suggest the bridge is not the only solution to ensure their survival.
$100,000,000 is chump change for California’s socialists, who have, the the state accounting office, spent $37 billion dollars on “solving” the homeless situation — $160,000 per bum — since 2019, and accomplished nothing.
In New York City, the Second Avenue subway extension project is years behind schedule, already $2 billion over budget. and costing $2.6 billion per mile “which is 8 to 12 times higher than similar projects in Europe.” (This past Tuesday the city filed suit against the federal government for its withholding $60 million of the promised loot.)
The public makes a lot of noise about government waste, but love the individual pork barrel projects that come its way, so politicians; federal, state and local, keep getting reelected. I’ve mentioned before that I served on the RTM Cost Containment Committee back in the late 80s, a temporary committee created to examine the town’s spendimg and find things to cut: a mini-DOGE, if you will. We found dozens of wasteful programs and services, but each one had a small group of partisans who benefitted from it, and their voices were far louder than those taxpayers who might see a one or two dollar reduction in their taxes for each service that was terminated. We brought the final report back to the RTM, and not a single cut was made.
That’s government spending: everyone hates it in general, and fights tooth and claw to keep their share.
10 Lockwood Road, Riverside, $3.795 million, pending after 2 weeks. Sold for $3.350 in April 2024.
Off to the Land of Opportunity
Organized bands of criminals have been preying on shopkeepers (among others) for years; often illegals from China* and South and Central America, these particular crooks are Romanian gypsies.
Two people were arrested by Greenwich Police on March 11 after an incident in the area of Mason Street.
Police said they arrested Ionut Kenzo Stoiciu, 18, and Teodora A Miclescu, 19, both of Rosselle, New Jersey in relation to a shoplifting incident.
>>>>
Plainclothes officers observed suspects individuals matching the description of the suspects in the area of Greenwich Ave and detained them as they arrived at their parked vehicle. The investigation revealed that two co-conspirators acted as lookouts’ and positioned themselves to obstruct the view of the store clerk. Stolen merchandise was later located in the vehicle in plain view, with merchant tags still on the items.
Investigation also revealed that the arrestees are part of an Organized Retail Theft Group currently wanted in the state of Maryland. Police said that upon arrival in Greenwich the suspects entered a retail store and engaged in an effort to conceal merchandise totaling $1,640.
A check of their criminal history revealed Ms Miclescu had been arrested for burglary and larceny multiple times since 2022.
Greenwich Police charged Miclescu with one Court of Risk of Injury to Child, [Presumably, the third thief was a minor,learning the trade — Ed] Possession of Burglar Tools (3 counts), Larceny 4 and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 4.
She was unable to post her court set bond of $300,000 and given a court date of March 25, 2026 in Stamford Superior Court.
As for Mr. Stoiciu, he was also charged with Risk of Injury to Child, Possession of Burglar Tools (3 counts), Larceny 4 and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 4.
He was also charged with Interfering with Officer/Resisting.
His bond was set at $300,000 which he was unable to post and he also has a date in Stamford Superior Court on March 25, 202
As though our men in blue aren’t busy enough chasing Chimblos — why are any members of this busy gang still here?
U.S. Attorney's Office
Published Date
2025-05-16
HOUSTON ‐ A man and woman who illegally resided in Houston have admitted their roles in installing and removing ATM skimmers from machines at multiple banks in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Perla Miclescu, 26, and Rafael Rafaila, 21, both citizens of Romania, each entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
In April 2024, they installed skimmers designed to enable them and others to intercept debit/credit card information via magnetic strips. They would save the information onto a computer chip affixed to the device after unsuspecting victims used their cards at ATM terminals.
The first instance involved co-conspirators April 4, 2024. Security footage at a Houston bank showed Ana Maria Dirman, 30, and Mihai Alexandru Gaita, 38, both Romanian citizens, placing an ATM skimmer into the card reader. At the time, they were in a 2004 Ford Explorer.
** May 15, 2024
Police said four men conspired to distract store employees, act as lookouts and use their bodies to obstruct their actions of shoplifting.
On May 15 at around 3:45 p.m., plainclothes police officers working in the central Greenwich business district area noticed "suspicious activity" at a local retail store, police said. (Richard Kaufman/Patch)
GREENWICH, CT — Four members of an organized retail theft group were arrested in Greenwich last week after police say they conspired to shoplift over $2,000 worth of items from a store in downtown Greenwich.
Keyver Chirino, 27; Jesus Hueck-Escobar, 31; David Lopez-Flores, 18; and William Figueroa-Mendoza, 23 — all New York City residents — were charged with use of drug paraphernalia; possession of a controlled substance, first offense; organized retail theft less than $10,000; conspiracy; and third-degree larceny, according to the Greenwich Police Department.
"The investigation revealed that the arrestees are part of an organized retail theft group and arrived in a vehicle with a [misused], stolen plate, entered a retail store and all engaged in an effort to distract employees, act as lookouts and use their bodies to obstruct their actions to commit a larceny by shoplifting totaling $2,040," police said in arrest reports.
One of the problems we’re facing in that we have too many people like Greenwich resident and “personal chef: like Mr. Craig Kravitz. Here’s a story dated June 26, 2025, pulled from the Police Department’s Facebook page, followed by Kravitz’s reaction:
On June 26, 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM, Officers arrested Gentian Gjana (DOB: 04/18/1992), of Yonkers, NY, following a theft at a local store in central Greenwich.
An employee reported that a man and woman entered the store, concealed a pair of sunglasses valued at $548, and left without paying. Surveillance footage confirmed the theft. Officers located Gjana nearby and detained him. He denied involvement, but video evidence showed him with the female suspect during the incident.
During an inventory of Gjana’s vehicle, officers found:
- Two balaclava masks
-Large canister of pepper spray (illegal size)
-Tactical vest and fake DEA badges
-Knife over 4 inches
-Ten rounds of .44 Magnum ammunition
Gjana was arrested and charged with:
-CGS 53a-138 Forgery 1st Degree (3 counts)
-CGS 29-38 Illegal Possession of Weapons in a Motor Vehicle (2 counts)
-CGS 53a-48/53a-125 Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 5th Degree
-CGS 53a-127f Possession of a Shoplifting Device
-CGS 53a-217 Criminal Possession of Ammunition (10 counts)
Bond was set at $250,000.
UPDATE. Here’s another one:
On February 28, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m., multiple police units were dispatched to the central part of town following a report of two individuals observed on surveillance video inside an unoccupied residence.
Officers responded immediately; however, the suspects fled the area prior to police arrival. Additional resources were requested, including K-9 units and aerial drone support, to assist in locating the suspects. The Stamford Police Department deployed its drone unit, and our GPD K-9 unit responded to aid in the search.
Officers tracked the suspects on foot through the neighborhood which led officers to a second unoccupied residence, where fresh damage was observed to a second-story window. The second residence was located less than half a mile from the original burglary. The homeowners confirmed that no one was authorized to be inside the residence at that time.
Believing the suspects had entered the home while attempting to evade capture, officers made entry and conducted a systematic search of the residence. During the search, one suspect was located hiding within a stairwell that led to a small crawlspace. The individual was ordered to surrender and complied without incident.
The suspect was identified as Jonathan Rojas-Urriola. He was charged with the following offenses:
• Burglary in the First Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-101) – Two Counts
• Possession of Burglary Tools (C.G.S. § 53a-106) – One Count
• Larceny in the Sixth Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-125b) – One Count
Rojas-Urriola was held on a $200,000 bond, which he was unable to post. He is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court.
…. a humanoid robot working in a Haidilao hot pot restaurant in San Jose/Cupertino, Calif., lost control over itself, intimidating and scaring customers, and it had to be restrained by restaurant staffers. The robot had been tasked with performing a Disney-themed dance routine to entertain patrons.
A malfunctioning service robot dances uncontrollably at a Haidilao hotpot restaurant in San Jose, California, knocking over tableware as staff members attempt to restrain it, March 2026. pic.twitter.com/6DFCojpeTS
— Future Adam Curtis B-Roll (@adamcurtisbroll) March 17, 2026
Hochul begs “patriotic billionaires” to return to New York to be fleeced.
You can’t cash lip service, as these politicians and socialists are discovering.
Kathy Hochul making a weak plea for wealthy people who have left New York (to red states like Florida) to come back to pay their high taxes to fund failing (unaccountable) social programs:
— Matt Whitlock (@MattWhitlock) March 18, 2026
“I need people who are high net worth to support the generous social programs we have in… pic.twitter.com/7quhsFyWyn
(Bologna tea is just one of the horror stories)
🚨The Owners of Formula 1 Have Filed to Leave Delaware for Nevada
— Leave Delaware (@LeaveDelaware) March 17, 2026
In the proposal, Liberty Media ($8.84B market cap) is citing "substantial cost savings" and "reducing the risk of opportunistic litigation" as its reasons for the move.
Another billion-dollar company looking to… https://t.co/7UBS9edOqg pic.twitter.com/QuzBR5voVV
Background
I’m comfortable using Google’s AI when I already know a fair bit about the subject I’m asking about and can spot an “off response. This one seems right:
AI Overview
Corporations are leaving Delaware ("DExit") primarily due to a perception that the Delaware Court of Chancery has become less business-friendly, delivering high-profile rulings that increase shareholder litigation risks, scrutinize executive pay, and expand corporate liability.
While the Chancery Court historically favored management, recent decisions have been interpreted as favoring stockholders, leading to an exodus of companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Meta to states with stronger management protections, such as Nevada and Texas.
Why Corporations Are Leaving Delaware
Hostile Court Rulings: High-profile decisions, particularly under Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, have unnerved executives. The most prominent example is Tornetta v. Musk, where the court voided Elon Musk's $56 billion compensation package.
Increased Litigation Risk: Companies feel that shareholder activists are encouraged by the court, resulting in more derivative lawsuits and increased D&O (Directors & Officers) insurance costs.
Rise of Alternatives: States like Nevada and Texas are actively wooing corporations by offering stronger statutory protections for directors, less litigation-friendly environments, and no state corporate income tax.
"Subjective" Judicial Standards: Critics, including major startup investors like Andreessen Horowitz, argue that Delaware's traditionally predictable common law has become unpredictable, with judges substituting their judgment for that of boards.
Have Chancery Court Opinions Changed?
Yes, there is a strong perception and evidence that the court has become more stockholder-friendly (or less "management-friendly") in recent years:
Heightened Scrutiny of Pay: The court has shown an increased willingness to overturn massive executive compensation packages, challenging the "all-performance" pay structures common in tech.
Restrictions on Controlling Shareholders: Decisions have increased scrutiny on "controlling stockholders," making it harder for founders to manage companies without intense legal oversight.
Broadening "Entire Fairness": The court has applied the rigorous "entire fairness" standard of review to more transactions, which makes it harder for cases to be dismissed early, forcing expensive, long-term litigation.
Delaware's Response (2025–2026)
In response to this exodus, Delaware has taken significant steps to reverse this trend:
Senate Bill 21 (The "DExit" Amendment): Signed in March 2025, this law allows more "safe harbors" for conflicted transactions, restricts stockholder access to "books and records," and limits liability for controlling stockholders.
Legislative vs. Judicial Split: The Delaware Legislature has acted to override certain Chancery decisions (like Moelis) that threatened founder-friendly stockholder agreements, demonstrating a move to restore the state’s pro-business reputation.
Supreme Court Reversals: The Delaware Supreme Court has begun reversing some of the Chancery Court’s most aggressive rulings, signaling a return to a more director-friendly interpretation of the business judgment rule.
Despite the "DExit" buzz, Delaware still holds over 60% of Fortune 500 companies due to its unrivaled body of legal precedent, though its dominance is facing its toughest challenge in decades.
But, credit where due, Chancellor McCormick’s forcing Musk to complete his deal to buy Twitter, while certainly intended to punish him, inadvertently turned out to be a huge boon to the conservative cause and freedom of speech in America.
A moment of appreciation for Kathaleen St. J. McCormick, the liberal Democratic chief judge of Delaware’s Chancery Court who forced @elonmusk to acquire Twitter and unwittingly changed the course of history. pic.twitter.com/0LUrxnLgWL
— Jacob Helberg (@jacobhelberg) November 24, 2024
I mentioned 21 Pecksland Road when it was first listed last week; I liked the house and so, obviously, did buyers, because it’s pending after just 7 days. “Guide price” was $5.2 million; we’ll see what the final price is.
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