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Rally Rage: NY Trump Event's $1M Police Overtime Bill May Have Broken Finance Laws, Dems Argue Rally Rage: NY Trump Event's $1M Police Overtime Bill May Have Broken Finance Laws, Dems Argue
Rally Rage: NY Trump Event's $1M Police Overtime Bill May Have Broken Finance Laws, Dems Argue Who should foot the bill – taxpayers or the campaign? Democrats on Long Island are seething after learning that the extra-tight security measures around former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally at the Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday, Sept. 18, cost taxpayers $1 million in police overtime alone. Ahead of the rally – which came just days after what the FBI called an apparent second assassination attempt on Trump’s life in Florida – Nassau County leaders outlined the extensive security measures that were being taken around the arena. Earlier Report: Security Top Of Mind For Trump's …

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Ex-Congressional Candidate In NY Illegally Funded Campaign, Feds Say Ex-Congressional Candidate In NY Illegally Funded Campaign, Feds Say
Ex-Congressional Candidate In NY Illegally Funded Campaign, Feds Say A former congressional candidate in New York is accused of illegally funding her campaign. Michelle Bond is charged with conspiring to cause unlawful campaign contributions in connection with her failed congressional bid in 2022, according to an indictment unsealed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Thursday, Aug. 22. Bond ran as a Republican for the 1st District seat, representing eastern Long Island in Suffolk County. She ultimately lost the nomination to current Rep. Nick LaLota. According to federal prosecutors, shortly after launching her congressional …

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Ousted NY Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Ousted NY Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case
Ousted NY Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Former Republican Congressman George Santos admitted to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal court on Monday, Aug. 19, authorities announced.  The 36-year-old former inhabitant of New York's 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island was facing 23 felonies, and a trial set to begin next month.  A federal judge will sentence Santos on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. According to federal sentencing guidelines, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.&n…

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
Donald Trump Found Guilty On All 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Trial Donald Trump Found Guilty On All 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Trial
Donald Trump Found Guilty On All 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Trial A New York jury convicted former President Donald Trump of all charges in his alleged hush money trial, finding that he falsified business records to buy an adult film star’s silence and influence the 2016 presidential election. The historic verdict, the first adjudication and conviction of a former US president, was reached shortly before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, after around 10 hours of deliberation. Seven men and five women on the jury unanimously found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree that were filed by Manhattan District Attorne…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
House Gears Up For George Santos Expulsion Vote; Here's Expected Timing House Gears Up For George Santos Expulsion Vote; Here's Expected Timing
House Gears Up For George Santos Expulsion Vote; Here's Expected Timing Members of the US House are preparing for a third floor vote on whether to expel embattled New York Rep. George Santos amid allegations he stole money from donors. The House will vote on an expulsion resolution introduced by Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California on Friday, Dec. 1, NBC News reports. If Garcia’s resolution passes, Santos will become the sixth House member ever removed from office. Earlier Report: Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking The Long Island Republican, whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau Cou…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
NY Rep. George Santos Confesses To Defrauding Brazilian Clerk Of $1,300 In Clothing: Report NY Rep. George Santos Confesses To Defrauding Brazilian Clerk Of $1,300 In Clothing: Report
NY Rep. George Santos Confesses To Defrauding Brazilian Clerk Of $1,300 In Clothing: Report Embattled New York Rep. George Santos has formally confessed to defrauding a Brazilian shop clerk of $1,300 in clothing and shoes, CNN reports.  The admission is part of an agreement requested by Santos’ attorney in January 2022 and accepted by Brazilian prosecutors that ensures he won’t be prosecuted for the crime, according to the outlet. Related Report: 'I've Been A Terrible Liar,' George Santos Admits After He 'Got Away With It' In 2020 It states that the freshman Republican lawmaker, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, agrees to confess to the fraud and p…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
'Sick Puppy': Embattled NY Rep George Santos Confronted By Mitt Romney At Capitol 'Sick Puppy': Embattled NY Rep George Santos Confronted By Mitt Romney At Capitol
'Sick Puppy': Embattled NY Rep George Santos Confronted By Mitt Romney At Capitol The chorus of voices calling for embattled New York Rep. George Santos' resignation has grown to include Utah Senator Mitt Romney, who didn’t hold back during a tense exchange between the two before the State of the Union address, NBC News reports. Romney, the Republican nominee for president in 2012, confronted Santos as he passed the freshman lawmaker after entering the House chamber ahead of President Biden’s joint address to Congress, according to the outlet.  The two were seen exchanging words before Romney walked away, leaving Santos looking noticeably annoyed. Romney later addressed…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
My Pleasure: George Santos Brings Chick-fil-A For Reporters Camped Outside Office (Video) My Pleasure: George Santos Brings Chick-fil-A For Reporters Camped Outside Office (Video)
My Pleasure: George Santos Brings Chick-fil-A For Reporters Camped Outside Office (Video) Embattled New York Congressman and late-night media darling George Santos appears to have employed a new tactic to rid himself of those pesky reporters: bribery. On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the freshman Republican lawmaker, who represents the state’s 3rd District on Long Island’s North Shore and parts of Queens, posted a video on his official Twitter account showing him bringing Chick-fil-A for reporters camped outside his House office. “Guys, I brought you guys some lunch since you guys are staying out here all day,” Santos is heard telling them. “I just wanted to make sure you guys were taken…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
NY Rep. Santos Hid Donation Sources, Spent Campaign Cash On Personal Expenses: Complaint NY Rep. Santos Hid Donation Sources, Spent Campaign Cash On Personal Expenses: Complaint
NY Rep. Santos Hid Donation Sources, Spent Campaign Cash On Personal Expenses: Complaint New York Congressman George Santos - already the subject of local, state, federal, and international investigations after admitting that he lied about his background on the campaign trail - is now facing a formal ethics complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), CBS News reports.  A civil complaint filed Monday, Jan. 9, by the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center accuses Santos, a Republican representing the 3rd District on Long Island’s North Shore and parts of Queens, of illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses, according to the outlet. The complaint also accu…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Pro-Trump Congressman Announces He's Running For NY Governor In 2022 Pro-Trump Congressman Announces He's Running For NY Governor In 2022
Pro-Trump Congressman Announces He's Running For NY Governor In 2022 A Long Island Republican Congressman who stood firmly behind former President Donald Trump throughout his embattled tenure in office announced that he will be challenging incumbent New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the 2022 election. Congressman Lee Zeldin officially threw his hat into the gubernatorial ring on Thursday morning, April 8, following Trump’s modus operandi by announcing his candidacy in a string of tweets largely targeting Cuomo. “I’m running for Governor of NY in 2022. To save NY, #CuomosGottaGo,” he posted. “I’ll bring the kind of relentless, fighting spirit towards helping o s…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor On 'The Road To Redemption' After Guilty Plea For Misusing Campaign Funds Mount Vernon Mayor On 'The Road To Redemption' After Guilty Plea For Misusing Campaign Funds
Mount Vernon Mayor On 'The Road To Redemption' After Guilty Plea For Misusing Campaign Funds Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas vowed to continue helping the city after reaching a plea agreement for misusing campaign funds and announcing his resignation. On Monday, July 8, Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. He will also resign from office as of Monday, Sept. 30. “The road to redemption is riddled with twists, turns, tight straits, and the reality is 13 million Americans get caught up in the misdemeanor system, where it’s very difficult to defend yourself, especially when you’re poor,” he said. “Than…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor Rejects Plea Deal In Criminal Case, Will Head to Trial Mount Vernon Mayor Rejects Plea Deal In Criminal Case, Will Head to Trial
Mount Vernon Mayor Rejects Plea Deal In Criminal Case, Will Head to Trial Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas will have his day in court. Thomas rejected the final plea deal in his criminal case on Friday and is scheduled to go to trial in July, according to lohud. At his latest court date, Thomas reportedly told Supreme Court Justice Barry Warhit that “I have faith in the system, your honor. I’m proceeding to trial.” The decision came following two hours of conferences between the judge, prosecutors and lawyers representing the mayor. Thomas has vehemently denied any wrongdoing since allegations arose claiming he misappropriated campaign funds. Jury sel…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Hospitalized With Flu Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Hospitalized With Flu
Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Hospitalized With Flu Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is urging area residents to get their flu shots after he was briefly hospitalized with the virus and has since returned home. Thomas, who has been in the news in recent weeks as he battles felony charges alleging he illegally used campaign funds, announced on Twitter at approximately 11 p.m. on Wednesday morning that he was treated for the flu. “Mayor Thomas was treated at an area hospital for flu-like symptoms and released after amazing care from the medical team. He extends his deepest thanks and gratitude for the quality care from the doctor and nurses w…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Ex-DNC Chair Faces Prison Time For Arranging Illegal Donation From Gambling Website To Cuomo Ex-DNC Chair Faces Prison Time For Arranging Illegal Donation From Gambling Website To Cuomo
Ex-dnc Chair Faces Prison Time For Arranging Illegal Donation From Gambling Website To Cuomo A former local Democratic Party chairman has admitted to steering a $25,000 campaign contribution from a foreign national toward New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s re-election campaign in 2014. Steve Pigeon, the former Erie County DNC chairman, admitted in federal court to attempting to funnel the contribution to the campaign, which was made on behalf of the founder of an online gambling business that is based out of Canada. Under federal law, foreign nationals are not permitted to make donations to political campaigns. The Cuomo campaign ultimately rejected the donation when it found out its sou…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Scheduled To Appear In Court For Criminal Case Mayor In Westchester Scheduled To Appear In Court For Criminal Case
Mayor In Westchester Scheduled To Appear In Court For Criminal Case Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is scheduled to appear in court for his first appearance since being arraigned in May on charges claiming he stole campaign funds and failed to disclose his use of inaugural funds during his initial run for office. Thomas is due in Westchester County Court on Friday, where he will answer charges that include grand larceny and filing a false instrument after being accused of stealing more than $12,000 from Friends of Richard Thomas, his campaign committee when he ran for mayor three years ago. He is also accused of allegedly failing to report nearly $50,000 t…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Fails To Have Felony Charges Dropped In Court Mayor In Westchester Fails To Have Felony Charges Dropped In Court
Mayor In Westchester Fails To Have Felony Charges Dropped In Court Richard Thomas will be heading to court for allegedly stealing campaign funds and lying about money he diverted from his inaugural committee for personal benefit. Earlier this year, the Mount Vernon mayor was charged following an investigation which exposed that he allegedly stole $12,900 from his campaign committee and diverted more than $45,000 from his inaugural committee for personal use and failed to disclose that information to officials. Thomas was charged with third-degree grand larceny and two counts of third-degree ordering a false instrument for filing, all felonies. He was also …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
'Speaking Of Fraud': Cuomo Attacks Reporter After Question About $400K Donation 'Speaking Of Fraud': Cuomo Attacks Reporter After Question About $400K Donation
'Speaking Of Fraud': Cuomo Attacks Reporter After Question About $400K Donation New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo lashed out at a reporter who brought up an ongoing federal investigation into a Hudson Valley healthcare company that received millions in grants after donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaign. Orange County-based Crystal Run Healthcare, which received $25.4 million in taxpayer money after doctors and administrators gave more than $400,000 in funds to the campaign in 2013, is being probed, first by a grand jury, then by the FBI. When Zack Fink, a reporter for New York 1, asked Cuomo if he considered returning the donations he received from Crystal…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
President Trump's Brother Donates To Molinaro Campaign For Governor President Trump's Brother Donates To Molinaro Campaign For Governor
President Trump's Brother Donates To Molinaro Campaign For Governor Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro has said he didn’t vote for President Donald Trump and instead wrote in former Republican Congressman Chris Gibson for president in 2016. That didn’t stop the president’s brother, Robert Trump of Millbrook, from giving $25,000 to Molinaro’s campaign for governor, according to news reports. Dutchess County Executive Molinaro announced plans to challenge Andrew Cuomo of New Castle during a press conference at the Albany Hilton Hotel on April 2, as reported here by Daily Voice. Molinaro once held annual campaign fundraisers at Trump National Go…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Arraigned In County Court Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Arraigned In County Court
Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Arraigned In County Court Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has pleaded not guilty to the latest charges levied against him in Westchester County Court. At his arraignment Friday morning, Thomas pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of grand larceny that claim he allegedly stole from his campaign fund while running for office several years ago. He was indicted by a grand jury last week. Thomas was arrested on felony corruption charges on March 12 that included grand larceny and filing a false instrument after being accused of stealing more than $10,000 from his campaign committee and lying about it on finance fil…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Denies Stealing Thousands In Campaign Funds Mayor In Westchester Denies Stealing Thousands In Campaign Funds
Mayor In Westchester Denies Stealing Thousands In Campaign Funds Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has denied the new charges against him that claim he allegedly stole thousands of dollars in campaign funds when running for office three years ago. A day after he was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly stealing campaign funds and failing to disclose funds that he used for personal expenses., Thomas' attorney Randall Jackson issued a statement vehemently denying the new charges, and saying that they look forward to the truth coming out. “We are looking forward to addressing the numerous problems with this investigation and prosecution in court," he…

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by Zak Failla
News
Embattled Westchester Mayor Indicted By Grand Jury On Larceny Charges Embattled Westchester Mayor Indicted By Grand Jury On Larceny Charges
Embattled Westchester Mayor Indicted By Grand Jury On Larceny Charges Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly stealing campaign funds and failing to disclose funds that he used for personal expenses. Thomas was arraigned on felony corruption charges on March 12 that included grand larceny and filing a false instrument after being accused of stealing more than $10,000 from his campaign committee and lying about it on finance filing forms. The mayor is now accused of stealing more than $12,000 from Friends of Richard Thomas, his campaign committee when he ran for mayor three years ago. He is also accused of al…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester: Corruption 'Allegations Are Merely Accusations' Mayor In Westchester: Corruption 'Allegations Are Merely Accusations'
Mayor In Westchester: Corruption 'Allegations Are Merely Accusations' Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is claiming that the criminal charges that were brought against him on Monday are “technical in nature relating to Election Law,” and are “merely accusations with no supporting evidence.” New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman formally announced charges against Thomas on Monday afternoon, after an investigation exposed that he allegedly stole $12,900 from his campaign committee and diverted more than $45,000 from his inaugural committee for personal use and failed to disclose that information to officials. Thomas was charged with third-degree gra…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Latimer Executive Order Limits Chaplains Following Federal Corruption Probe Latimer Executive Order Limits Chaplains Following Federal Corruption Probe
Latimer Executive Order Limits Chaplains Following Federal Corruption Probe Westchester County volunteer chaplains must meet tougher requirements after a former chaplain testified last fall that he got a county government job in exchange for campaign donations. It became a campaign issue for Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat who defeated incumbent Rob Astorino. Latimer announced a new executive order via social media, saying he signed the requirement that chaplains be active clergy and either live in Westchester or lead a congregation here. All requests for chaplains go to the commissioner of public safety and the list of chaplains will be pr…

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by Jon Craig