News Summary

• Mercedes began selling arroz con pollo around Corona Avenue and Junction Boulevard in Queens in 2023.
• She didn't have the required permit for her cart or a license for herself.
• Mohamed Orabi offered to lease Mercedes an elusive, in-demand street-vending permit.
• Orabi said it would cost $20,000 to lease the permit for two years.
• He asked for an $8,000 deposit and for the rest to be paid just days later.
• The Street Vendor Project says 16 people have alleged that Orabi took money from them in exchange for help with permits, carts, and more supplies.