Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe 'Bad' Santa a big hit and office parties NEW YORK, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Some New York Christmas office parties this year were livened up by a disreputable Santa who boozed it up and offended guests with off-color jokes. Advertisement The New York Post reported Monday "Dial-A-Santa" Glenn Chocky was overwhelmed with appearance requests to make his uncouth and tasteless performance at Manhattan holiday parties in the style of the Billy Bob Thornton character from the 2004 comedy, "Bad Santa." Chocky, who says its all in good fun, often adds to the Yule un-tidiness by excusing himself to visit the restroom and telling his audience he had just lost his lunch "My No. 1 goal is to make everyone at the party smile," Chocky said. Alleged mobsters claim they were conned NEW YORK, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Lawyers for a group of alleged mobsters claim their clients were hoodwinked by a New York housewife they accuse of swindling $500,000. Advertisement The lawyers claim in court papers that Yvonne Rossetti fooled three alleged members of the Bonanno crime family into investing the money in a phony real estate scheme, the New York Post reported Monday. Michael "Mike the Butcher" Virtuoso, Michael Cassese and Agostino Accardo were indicted on loan sharking charges last month after Rossetti's husband, Vincent, wore a wire to a meeting with the men and turned them over to federal authorities. "She's a con artist," said Joseph Benfante, who represents Virtuoso. "The real danger to the community is Yvonne Rossetti." Steve Zissou, a lawyer for Cassese, said federal prosecutors "got it wrong." "They got sold a bill of goods by the Rossetti characters," Zissou said. Bush does read newspapers after all WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The New York Times is taking heart in an admission by U.S. President George Bush that he does, indeed, read newspapers -- earlier statements notwithstanding. The Times noted Monday a comment from the president at last week's news conference that he had read about Vice President Dick Cheney's subpoena to testify in the trial of former aide "Scooter" Libby, indicted in the outing of former CIA agent Valerie Plame. Advertisement "Is there hope for newspapers after all?" The Times queried. "Readers may be abandoning the printed versions, but over the last couple of years, at least one person seems to have started reading them, at least sometimes. He lives in the White House." In 2003, Bush told Fox's Brit Hume in an interview that he glances at headlines but rarely reads stories, preferring to be filled in by aides. Last week, however, in response to a question about whether he would seek to block Cheney's subpoena, Bush replied, "I read it in the newspaper today, and it's an interesting piece of news." Police use pint glasses to stop DUI's BENNINGTON, Vt., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The Bennington, Vt., police department has come up with a plan to help stifle drunk driving incidents -- advertising on pint glasses. The department, which works to increase officer visibility and set up DUI checkpoints during the holidays, has decided to put the message on pint glasses at local bars and restaurants, the Bennington Banner reported. "It was my idea that we try to do something to promote highway safety," Lt. Paul Doucette said. "One of the ways we let people know we're out there is through increased visibility. We don't want people driving impaired at all." Advertisement The 160 glasses are being distributed to all the local bars, and were made by local company, Catamount Glass, and donated to the police force. The glasses feature one of four logos, the department patch, special response team patch, K-9 logo and 150th anniversary badge logo. "Around the holidays, people tend to drink a little more," Doucette said. "And that's OK, just as long as they have somebody to drive them home."
