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Geoffrey Berman

Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY
Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY President Joe Biden has nominated Damian Williams to serve as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most high-profile federal positions. Williams, age 40, has been an Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York since 2012, serving as its Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. The Southern District includes Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, and other northern suburbs. If approved, Williams would be the first African American to serve as the leader of the Manhattan prose…
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the fifth distribution of more than $378 million this week. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing $378.5 million to more than 26,000 of his victims involved in the fraud scheme. To date, approximately $2.7 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Berman said that the fifth payment will bring the victims’ total recovery to 73.65 percent of their losses.  Ultimately, more than $4 billion will be returned due to losses suffered in Madoff’s Ponz…
Owner Of Hudson Valley-Based Company Sentenced For $38M Fraud Conspiracy Owner Of Hudson Valley-Based Company Sentenced For $38M Fraud Conspiracy
Owner Of Hudson Valley-Based Company Sentenced For $38M Fraud Conspiracy The former owner and operator of a Westchester business will spend more than a decade in federal prison for her role in a $38 million fraud conspiracy. Jacqueline Graham, who operated Terra Foundation in Valhalla, was sentenced to 132 months in prison in connection with a $38 million fraudulent mortgage debt elimination scheme, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announced. Graham was convicted in June last year following a two-week trial. Berman said that from at least 2011 through 2012, Graham partnered with Bruce Lewis and John Ruzza in operating Terra Fou…
Area Company To Pay EPA $575,000 For Violating Safety Rules Area Company To Pay EPA $575,000 For Violating Safety Rules
Area Company To Pay EPA $575,000 For Violating Safety Rules A Hudson Valley-based company agreed to pay a hefty penalty after being sued by the federal government for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act involving asbestos renovations at a former hospital. Dutchess County-based Dover Greens, the company tasked with developing the former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center in Wingdale, was charged with violating the Clean Air Act and EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Asbestos during renovations at the facility, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. It was alleged that Dover Greens failed to take the necessary precautions and follow the proper…
Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area
Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area Three area residents have been arrested and charged for running a multi-million dollar scheme to operate an unlicensed money transmitting businesses to launder money derived from illegal activities. Rockland residents Chaskel Landau, 45, of Spring Valley, Alter Landau, 64, of Spring Valley, and Joseph Neumann, 78, of Monsey, were arrested this week, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. The three were tied to an elaborate scheme to transmit approximately $6 million. The three were arrested following an FBI sting operation. It is alleged that between September 2014 and August 2016, the t…
Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations
Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations The federal government has levied charges against the owners of a Hudson Valley horse racing training center for allegedly violating the Federal Clean Water Act. It is alleged that from 2007 to 2017, the owners and operators of Mark Ford Stables in Wallkill destroyed existing federal wetlands and rerouted streams in the course of building a horse racing training center at both properties,” U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said. In addition, the owners allegedly have operated a concentrated animal feeding operation without a permit, allowing horse wash water and process wastewater to be discha…
Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get New $469M Distribution, Bringing Payout To $2.4B Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get New $469M Distribution, Bringing Payout To $2.4B
Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get New $469M Distribution, Bringing Payout To $2.4B Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will see some more relief as the Department of Justice begins the latest distribution of more than $469 million. This week, the Madoff Victim Fund, which was established by the DOJ, began distributing $469.6 million in additional funds that were forfeited to the government in connection to Madoff's scheme. The money will be distributed to more than 27,000 victims, bringing the total to approximately $2.4 billion. The latest distribution marks the fourth in a series of payments from the Madoff Victim Fund as part of Madoff’s fraud, which tot…
Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness
Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness Two men will spend the rest of their lives in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and murdering a federal cooperating witness from the area in a violent armed robbery more than two years ago. Bronx residents Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera were convicted in September last year of murdering a witness from Rockland to prevent him from reporting to law enforcement, kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping resulting in death, robbery conspiracy, robbery, and weapons offenses, arising out of the murder of federal cooperating witness and Garnerville resident Robert Bishun on Sept. 20, 2016. On Tue…
Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Appeals Corruption Conviction Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Appeals Corruption Conviction
Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Appeals Corruption Conviction The former owner of a local bus repair and transportation company in Rockland who was sentenced to more than four years in prison on federal bribery and corruption charges is appealing his conviction. Richard Brega, who owned Brega D.O.T. Maintenance Corp. in Rockland County, was sentenced to 50 months in prison in December last year after he was found guilty by a federal jury in White Plains, following a three-week trial. Berga, 52, whose prison term is scheduled to end in 2022, is claiming that the jury verdicts were inconsistent, prompting him to ask for a reversal of his conviction and …
Gang Leader Admits To Murdering Newburgh Man During Card Game Gang Leader Admits To Murdering Newburgh Man During Card Game
Gang Leader Admits To Murdering Newburgh Man During Card Game A gang leader is facing life in prison after admitting to murdering a man and injuring two others while robbing a card game being played on the sidewalk in front of a laundromat in the area. Skylar “S-Dot” Davis, 22, a “Southside” gang leader, pleaded guilty this week to his role in a racketeering conspiracy, and to murdering Samuel Stubbs during a robbery as he was playing cards on Lander Street in 2015. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that as part of his guilty plea, Davis - who was already in prison for weapon and drug charges - also admitted to committing or helping to commit an addi…
Five Charged With Drug Trafficking In Area Five Charged With Drug Trafficking In Area
Five Charged With Drug Trafficking In Area Five men have been charged in White Plains federal court and will face life in prison for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Hudson Valley. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Ronald “Solo” Miller, Jason Paradies, Frank “Nitty” Nesbit, Corey Webb, and Kiyon Webb with the distribution of cocaine and cocaine base throughout the Southern District of New York. All five men were taken into federal custody on Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11 and presented in White Plains federal court. The indictment alleges that between 2016 through Octobe…
Four Members Of Middletown Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Heroin Four Members Of Middletown Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Heroin
Four Members Of Middletown Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Heroin Four suspects are facing life in prison after being charged for their roles in a multi-year heroin distribution ring in Orange County. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that an indictment has been unsealed alleging that from 2015 through last year, Luis “Colla” Ortiz, Felix Velez, Carmen “Evaliz” Torres and Jose Colon conspired to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin in Middletown. Three were arrested in Orange County, and a fourth suspect was also arrested in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and was presented in federal court. The indictment alleges that the traffickers dis…
Former Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Ordered To Report To Prison Former Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Ordered To Report To Prison
Former Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Ordered To Report To Prison A Northern Westchester man and former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been ordered to report to prison after being convicted on corruption charges and having his appeal denied. Joseph Percoco, a South Salem resident, was convicted of accepting $300,000 in bribes from an energy company last year and was sentenced to six years in prison. Percoco was originally scheduled to report to prison on March 1, but a court ruled that he can stay a free man as he appeals his conviction. On Thursday, March 7, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan denied Percoco’s bail and he was ordere…
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Has Prison Surrender Date Postponed Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Has Prison Surrender Date Postponed
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Has Prison Surrender Date Postponed A former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will not be reporting to jail on March 1 as he continues to fight his conviction on corruption charges. Joseph Percoco, a South Salem resident, was convicted of accepting $300,000 in bribes from an energy company last year and was sentenced to six years in prison. He was scheduled to report to prison on March 1, but a court has ruled that he can stay a free man as he continues to appeal the conviction. Percoco was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of solicitation of bribes or gratuities…
New Windsor Man Charged With Threatening Federal Judge, Prosecutor New Windsor Man Charged With Threatening Federal Judge, Prosecutor
New Windsor Man Charged With Threatening Federal Judge, Prosecutor An Orange County man who was sentenced to time in prison for enticing a teenage girl from Westchester into sexual activity is facing additional time behind bars for threatening a judge and U.S. attorney. Clint Edwards of New Windsor was sentenced to 20 years in prison for enticing a child to engage in illegal sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to the crime on July 2 last year, following the illicit activities in 2017. This week, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that Edwards, 28, has been charged with two counts with threatening a United States District Judge for the Southern Dis…
Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Sentenced For Bribery, Theft, Fraud Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Sentenced For Bribery, Theft, Fraud
Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Sentenced For Bribery, Theft, Fraud The former owner of a local bus repair and transportation company has been sentenced to time in prison for fraud, bribery and theft. Richard Brega, who owned Brega D.O.T. Maintenance Corp. in Rockland County, has been sentenced to 50 months in prison after he was found guilty by a federal jury in White Plains, following a three-week trial. The convictions were for Brega’s billing the Rockland Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) for maintenance of school buses that were never performed, and bribery of a Rockland BOCES official. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that Brega, 51…
Mobster From Hudson Valley Destroys Evidence, Obstructs Justice, Feds Say Mobster From Hudson Valley Destroys Evidence, Obstructs Justice, Feds Say
Mobster From Hudson Valley Destroys Evidence, Obstructs Justice, Feds Say A member of the Genevose Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra already charged with the stabbing death of a Westchester man is now facing new charges for destroying evidence and obstructing justice, prosecutors announced. John Tortora Jr., known as "Johnny T," was arrested in August by FBI agents and Yonkers Police in connection with the 1997 death of 29-year-old Richard Ortiz in Yonkers. Tortora, 61, of Yonkers, had previously been indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder in the aid of racketeering and murder for hire. He was arrested on Aug. 3 and has been remanded in cus…
10 Charged In Hudson Valley Drugs Conspiracy 10 Charged In Hudson Valley Drugs Conspiracy
10 Charged In Hudson Valley Drugs Conspiracy Ten men have been charged in White Plains Federal Court for their roles in a scheme to distribute crack cocaine and cocaine in the area. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced this week that 10 people have been indicted for participating in an alleged narcotics conspiracy in Sullivan County. Seven of the men were taken into federal custody last week, while two others were arrested in August. Suspect Jhoan “Chelo” Adames remains at large. According to the indictment, over the last two years, Adames, Rolando “Rolo” Nieves, Jason Nieves-Pino, Jose Nieves-Herrera, Jose Rubert, Pervis Marcus, J…
Pair Convicted Of Killing Area Man Who Was Cooperating Federal Witness Pair Convicted Of Killing Area Man Who Was Cooperating Federal Witness
Pair Convicted Of Killing Area Man Who Was Cooperating Federal Witness Two men will spend the rest of their lives in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and murdering a federal cooperating witness from Rockland in a violent armed robbery more than two years ago. Bronx residents Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera were convicted of murdering a witness to prevent him from reporting to law enforcement, kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping resulting in death, robbery conspiracy, robbery, and weapons offenses, arising out of the murder of federal cooperating witness and Garnerville resident Robert Bishun on Sept. 20, 2016. On the day of Bishun’s murder, Pizarro and …
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Taking $300K In Bribes Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Taking $300K In Bribes
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Taking $300K In Bribes A former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who lives in Northern Westchester and was convicted of accepting $300,000 in bribes from an energy company and developer has been sentenced. Joseph Percoco, a South Salem resident, was sentenced to six years in prison in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon. The 49-year-old Percoco has been ordered to surrender himself into custody on Dec. 28, after the holidays.  At his sentencing, U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni said Percoco was motivated by "greed and arrogance."  Along with the prison time, Percoco also received…
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley To Be Sentenced For Taking $300K In Bribes Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley To Be Sentenced For Taking $300K In Bribes
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Hudson Valley To Be Sentenced For Taking $300K In Bribes Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who lives in Northern Westchester and was convicted of three felonies earlier this year is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday. Percoco, a South Salem resident, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of solicitation of bribes or gratuities and acquitted of two extortion charges in March related to his acceptance of $300,000 in bribes to benefit Competitive Power Ventures, an energy company that sought to build the power plant in the Hudson Valley. He was cleared of any …
Seven Charged In Multi-Million Dollar Scam Involving Area Schools Seven Charged In Multi-Million Dollar Scam Involving Area Schools
Seven Charged In Multi-Million Dollar Scam Involving Area Schools Seven Hudson Valley residents have been charged in a “wide-ranging” multi-million dollar scheme to defraud a federal “E Rate” subsidy program involving school technology funding earmarked for underprivileged children. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of an indictment, which charges seven Monsey, Monroe and Spring Valley residents with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud charges. Those charged include Monsey residents Simon Goldbrenner, 55, Ben Klein, 39, Sholem Steinberg, 39, and Aron Melber, 42. Monroe res…
19 In Rival Middletown Gangs Charged With Murder, Drug, Firearm Offenses 19 In Rival Middletown Gangs Charged With Murder, Drug, Firearm Offenses
19 In Rival Middletown Gangs Charged With Murder, Drug, Firearm Offenses Nineteen competing gang members in the Hudson Valley are facing federal drug, weapon and murder charges. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced this week that 19 members of two rival gangs operating out of Middletown, have been indicted. Six Guap Gang members are charged with narcotics conspiracy and firearms offenses, while 13 Coke Wave Boys members have been charged with a host of crimes. On Monday, three more men, John McGuigan, Duane Kirby and Desmen Agosto, were taken into federal custody. Another suspect, Christopher Shelp, remains…
Cuomo Cronies Found Guilty In Bid-Rigging Scheme Trial Cuomo Cronies Found Guilty In Bid-Rigging Scheme Trial
Cuomo Cronies Found Guilty In Bid-Rigging Scheme Trial The former president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute and three real estate developers and close confidants of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been found guilty on fraud and conspiracy charges in connection to rigging bids regarding the Buffalo Billion construction project, which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Alain Kaloyeros, a former member of the Cuomo administration, was convicted of all three counts against him in court, including conspiracy and two counts of wire fraud this week. Three of Kaloyeros’ co-conspirators, upstate real estate developers Louis Ciminelli, Steven Aiello …
Hudson Valley Real Estate Consultant Admits To Federal Voter Fraud Hudson Valley Real Estate Consultant Admits To Federal Voter Fraud
Hudson Valley Real Estate Consultant Admits To Federal Voter Fraud A Hudson Valley man is facing time behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiring to corrupt the electoral process in connection to a New York election. Orange County resident Volvy “Zev” Smilowitz, 29, has pleaded guilty to “the biggest federal voter fraud cause in the modern era,” according to Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who announced the guilty plea on Tuesday. According to the indictment that Smilowitz, of Monroe, pleaded guilty to, beginning in 2006, while serving as a consultant, he, Shalom Lamm and Kenneth Nakdimen, real estate …
Former Orange County Exec Admits To Pay-For-Play Scheme With Ex-Cuomo Aide Former Orange County Exec Admits To Pay-For-Play Scheme With Ex-Cuomo Aide
Former Orange County Exec Admits To Pay-For-Play Scheme With Ex-Cuomo Aide A former executive at a Hudson Valley-headquartered power plant pleaded guilty to bribery for his role in a pay-to-play scheme involving a Northern Westchester resident and former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Former Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) executive Peter Kelly, 54, admitted in Manhattan Federal Court on Friday that to further his relationship with South Salem resident Joseph Percoco, he helped hire Percoco's wife to a $90,000, low-show job at CPV.  The guilty plea entered by Kelly, who is known as "Braith" and is a resident of Canterbury, Conn., was for defrauding CPV …
Seven Charged With Narcotics Trafficking In Orange County Seven Charged With Narcotics Trafficking In Orange County
Seven Charged With Narcotics Trafficking In Orange County Seven alleged drug traffickers are facing decades to life in prison after being indicted in White Plains federal court for their roles in pushing cocaine in Orange County. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of an indictment charging seven people with trafficking more than five kilograms of cocaine in Newburgh. According to the federal complaint, beginning last year, through the beginning of last month, Edwin “Eddy” Guerrier, Carlos Fabian and Fernando Ferrer conspired to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine as…
Developer Will Pay $175K To Settle Fair Housing Lawsuit In Hudson Valley Developer Will Pay $175K To Settle Fair Housing Lawsuit In Hudson Valley
Developer Will Pay $175K To Settle Fair Housing Lawsuit In Hudson Valley A prominent Westchester developer has reached a $175,000 settlement with federal officials for violating the Fair Housing Act by failing to make a pair of Rockland County developments not properly accessible to people with disabilities. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced on Friday that Valhalla-based Ginsburg Development Companies reached the settlement from a 2016 lawsuit alleging that two developments in Haverstraw, with several hundred units, were inaccessible. As part of the agreement, Berman said that Ginsburg has agreed to make…
Two Dealers Charged In Overdose Death Of Hudson Valley Teacher Two Dealers Charged In Overdose Death Of Hudson Valley Teacher
Two Dealers Charged In Overdose Death Of Hudson Valley Teacher Two men are facing multiple charges for allegedly selling fentanyl to a Hudson Valley special education teacher who was found dead inside a bathroom stall at the New York City school that employed him late last year. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the arrests of Bronx residents Kashawn Lyons and Terrick Whitaker, both 31, who allegedly distributed heroin and fentanyl near the grounds of a public school in the Bronx, where Carmel native Matthew Azimi, 36, was found dead of an alleged overdose. According to the criminal complaint f…
Four Charged In Hudson Valley With Trafficking Women For Sex Four Charged In Hudson Valley With Trafficking Women For Sex
Four Charged In Hudson Valley With Trafficking Women For Sex A Westchester resident is among four men facing charges for their roles in allegedly trafficking women for sex in multiple states. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District announced the arrest of the four on Tuesday, including 49-year-old Bronxville resident Guixia Wu “stemming from a conspiracy to engage in the interstate trafficking of women, primarily Chinese nationals, for the purpose of prostitution." The women were reportedly moving into and out of hotels and motels in seven states, including New York and Connecticut. According to the indictment unse…
Hudson Valley Resident, Ex-Cuomo Aide Found Guilty On Three Felonies Hudson Valley Resident, Ex-Cuomo Aide Found Guilty On Three Felonies
Hudson Valley Resident, Ex-Cuomo Aide Found Guilty On Three Felonies After finding themselves deadlocked for more than a week, the jury deliberating over the fate of Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo - and Northern Westchester resident - convicted him on three corruption charges. Percoco, a South Salem resident, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of solicitation of bribes or gratuities and acquitted of two extortion charges related to his acceptance of $300,000 in bribes to benefit Competitive Power Ventures, an energy company that sought to build the power plant in the…