Cityfile: New York's Most Notable and Influential

Cock-and-Bull? | Yesterday, the guy who created the bull sculpture down by Wall Street filed a lawsuit over what he said was an attempt to exploit his work without permission. Today, a body turned up on top of it, clad only in his underwear. Coincidence? [Dealbreaker]

Right now Bernie Madoff is heading to the prison where he'll spend the rest of his life. Just which prison he's headed to, though, is still a mystery. Late this afternoon, an unidentified source told the Post that Madoff was headed to Otisville, the facility that he'd requested since it's within driving distance of NYC (not to mention renowned for its tasty kosher meals). CNBC, however, has been reporting that its source is telling them that Madoff is going to the medium security federal prison in Butner, North Carolina. CNN is following the Post's lead and going with Otisville. The Post's sister paper, the Wall Street Journal, is backing up CNBC and reporting that "a person familiar with the situation" has indicated Madoff is North Carolina-bound. Presumably we'll find out his destination for certain in a few hours when he shows up and makes his grand entrance. Or maybe this is all part of Bernie's plan to deliberately confuse prison officials and he's behind the wheel of a stolen car and speeding for the Mexican border? Developing!

Many people have criticized The Huffington Post for not paying its writers. But Ken Lerer, who co-founded the site with Arianna Huffington and remains the company's chairman, sure has one heck of a generous streak. Last week, we noticed that Joey Bartolomeo, a senior writer at People and frequent TV talking head, had purchased an apartment on the Upper East Side. What was strange was that Bartolomeo didn't buy the $1.025 million co-op on her own. Lerer's name appeared on the property documents as well. And it turns out that Joey isn't the first member of the Bartolomeo family to have benefited from Lerer's largesse. Bartolomeo's older sister, Stephanie Bartolomeo, picked up a $1.25 million co-op on the Upper West Side back in March. And once again, Lerer co-signed for the apartment. More

Syrup Smell Solved | Michael Bloomberg revealed the source of that syrupy smell that has occasionally (and mysteriously) wafted over the city over the past couple of years. And it's New Jersey's fault. Of course. Following an investigation by "a team of odor investigators," the city now says the culprit was the International Frutarom Corporation in North Bergen, which processes fenugreek seeds for flavorings. Your tax dollars at work! [1010WINS]