NBA GuN BuST
Uber is big wheel in state lobbying Ex-hoopster Telfair had arsenal in B’klyn: cops
ALBANY — Uber drove to the top spot in lobbying in New York during the first half of 2017, a new report Wednesday revealed.
The ride-sharing company spent nearly $1.8 million on lobbying during the first six months of the year, the highest amount in the state, according to the midyear report from the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.
Uber’s spending came as the state Legislature was considering legislation to legalize ride sharing throughout upstate New York. The measure was approved in April as part of the state budget.
“We were committed to ensuring that the voices of New Yorkers were heard over those of the special interests,” Uber spokeswoman Alix Anfang said.
Overall, $121.2 million was spent on efforts to influence state and local governments during the first half of 2017, the report says.
Other top spenders included the Greater New York Hospital Association, which spent $1.45 million. A FORMER NBA player was indicted Wednesday on charges he had an arsenal of guns and ammo in his pickup truck while driving through Brooklyn.
Sebastian Telfair allegedly had four loaded guns, over 200 rounds of ammo and body armor stashed in an ottoman and suitcase inside his 2017 Ford F-150.
The 6-foot Coney Island native, entered a plea of not guilty in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Telfair arrived in court Wednesday sporting a jean jacket and a gray hoodie that said “100% Human.” He changed into a gray blazer to go before a judge .
The 32-year-old former pro athlete was arrested along with his passenger, Jami Thomas, after a car stop near Atlantic and Classon Aves. in Prospect Heights on June 11.
Cops said Telfair — who has a suspended license — was pulled over for driving without headlights.
Officers at the scene smelled pot and saw a lit blunt on the dashboard, prosecutors said.
In addition to the weapons, two Ziploc bags filled with marijuana were found in the truck’s center console, according to the criminal complaint.
Thomas, 18, was also indicted Wednesday on weapons charges.
Telfair, a Brooklyn native and the cousin of former Knick Stephon Marbury, went straight from Brooklyn's Lincoln High School to the NBA when he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2004.
He opted to go pro after his senior year instead of playing for the University of Louisville under exhead coach Rick Pitino, who was fired by the university this week amid a federal corruption investigation.
The point guard played for several NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers BARRY and Phoenix Suns.
In December 2014, he signed WILLIAMS; with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in China, after he was released by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The June bust was not the first AP time Telfair was busted for gun possession.
He and a buddy were arrested in 2007, after police in Yonkers found a loaded handgun in his car. The next year, he pleaded guilty to weapons possession and got three years of probation.
Telfair was freed on $75,000 bond on the latest gun charges.