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Department of Justice

Comedian Kathy Griffin Set To Perform Stand-Up Show In Westchester Comedian Kathy Griffin Set To Perform Stand-Up Show In Westchester
Comedian Kathy Griffin Set To Perform Stand-Up Show In Westchester Comedian Kathy Griffin will swing through New York on her second US tour since being “canceled” in the wake of her infamous photo scandal. The 63-year-old Emmy winner is set to perform two shows in the Empire State as part of her new stand-up tour, “My Life on the PTSD List.” Griffin will first play in Westchester County, at Tarrytown’s Music Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22. After that she’ll appear on Long Island, at Huntington’s Paramount theater at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. It marks the second major US tour for Griffin since she was all but blacklisted from the entertainment in…
US House Expels NY Rep. George Santos In Historic Vote US House Expels NY Rep. George Santos In Historic Vote
US House Expels NY Rep. George Santos In Historic Vote In an incredibly rare move, the US House voted to expel New York Rep. George Santos amid mounting accusations of criminality, ending his tumultuous Congressional stint and closing one of the most controversial chapters in American politics. An expulsion resolution brought by California Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia overwhelmingly passed with 311 "yes" votes to 114 "no" votes on Friday, Dec. 1.  The resolution required a two-thirds majority vote in order to pass. Santos – a Long Island Republican whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau County and Queens – becomes only the sixth fed…
George Santos Calls For Expulsion Of Westchester Rep. Bowman For Pulling Fire Alarm: Report George Santos Calls For Expulsion Of Westchester Rep. Bowman For Pulling Fire Alarm: Report
George Santos Calls For Expulsion Of Westchester Rep. Bowman For Pulling Fire Alarm: Report Ahead of a third floor vote on his expulsion from the US House, NY Rep. George Santos is calling for the removal of his colleague, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, for pulling a fire alarm at a congressional building, according to a report by ABC News.  Santos, a Republican, made his comments against Bowman while addressing reporters outside the Capitol Building on Thursday morning, Nov. 30, only one day before the House is set to vote on an expulsion resolution that could kick the embattled New York representative out of his office.  According to ABC News, Santos said he would introduce a res…
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…
Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking
Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking The third time may be the charm for federal lawmakers hoping to oust embattled New York Rep. George Santos from office. House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, filed a resolution to expel Santos from Congress on Friday morning, Nov. 17. Members are expected to vote on the resolution the week after Thanksgiving.  Earlier Report: LI Rep Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says The rare move came just one day after the committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, released a report sayi…
George Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says George Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says
George Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos says he won’t run for office in 2024 after an investigation by the House Ethics Committee found he likely committed federal crimes that have yet to be charged. In a damning report released Thursday, Nov. 16, the committee - made up of five Republicans and five Democrats - said it had unanimously concluded there was “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking and was referring its findings to the Department of Justice. Specifically, the investigation found that Santos, a Long Island Republican whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau County and Queens: …
21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell 21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell
21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell A student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York has been accused of threatening to shoot, stab, and rape Jewish students at the Ivy League school. Patrick Dai, a 21-year-old junior originally from Pittsford, New York, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 31 on a federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications, according to prosecutors in the Northern District of New York. Dai allegedly posted threatening messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion site, including posts calling for the deaths of Jewish peopl…
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds A Westchester Sergeant faces federal charges after tasing a handcuffed victim seven times in the span of two minutes and violating their rights in the process, officials said.  Brooklyn resident Mario Stewart, age 44, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed individual in a March 2019 incident, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, July 20.  According to federal officials, at the time of the incident, Stewart had been …
Capitol Breach: NY Funeral Home Owner Sprayed Insecticide On Police, Assaulted Reporters: Feds Capitol Breach: NY Funeral Home Owner Sprayed Insecticide On Police, Assaulted Reporters: Feds
Capitol Breach: NY Funeral Home Owner Sprayed Insecticide On Police, Assaulted Reporters: Feds This story has been updated to include a statement from Moloney Family Funeral Homes. A funeral home owner from New York is accused of assaulting police officers and reporters during the breach of the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Long Island’s Peter Moloney, age 58, of Bayport, was arrested Wednesday, June 7, on multiple federal charges, including assaulting law enforcement. Moloney is the co-owner of Moloney Family Funeral Homes, which has eight locations across Long Island. According to federal prosecutors, he was among several people who illegally gathered on the West Plaza of the Capi…
Drug Convictions, Charges Should Be Vacated For 27 People Due To Errors, Westchester DA Says Drug Convictions, Charges Should Be Vacated For 27 People Due To Errors, Westchester DA Says
Drug Convictions, Charges Should Be Vacated For 27 People Due To Errors, Westchester DA Says This story has been corrected. Officials are seeking to reverse drug-related charges and convictions of 27 people after the Westchester District Attorney's Office found a number of inconsistencies and errors involved in their prosecution that were also related to a criminal investigation into a police department in the county.  A total of 27 individuals were either charged or convicted for allegedly selling drugs to a Westchester County Police/Department of Public Safety undercover officer during a 2017 narcotics operation conducted by the Mount Vernon Police Department, acco…
$52M Scheme: 10 Charged By Feds In Fraud Case Targeting Harrison-Based Company $52M Scheme: 10 Charged By Feds In Fraud Case Targeting Harrison-Based Company
$52M Scheme: 10 Charged By Feds In Fraud Case Targeting Harrison-Based Company Ten people have been charged in connection with a massive scheme to defraud a leading cargo airline based in New York of tens of millions of dollars in revenue and the services of its employees, federal authorities announced. The 10 charged are: Connecticut resident Abilash Kurien, age 45, of Wilton in Fairfield County; Hudson Valley resident Carlton Llewellyn, age 55, of Highland Mills in Orange County; Long Island resident Robert Schirmer, age 58, of Port Jefferson Station; Queens resident Patrick Lau, 43, of Flushing; Lars Winkelbauer, age 47, of Bangkok, Thailand; Skye …
'Real Housewives' Star Gets Prison Time For New York-Based Fraud Scheme 'Real Housewives' Star Gets Prison Time For New York-Based Fraud Scheme
'Real Housewives' Star Gets Prison Time For New York-Based Fraud Scheme A former "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star was sentenced to several years in prison for her role in a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme based in New York.  Jennifer Shah, age 49, who appeared on the show beginning in 2020, was sentenced to six ½ years in prison on Friday, Jan. 6 for targeting elderly victims in the scheme and defrauding them out of their savings, according to the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.  Beginning in 2012 and lasting until her arrest in March 2021, Shah was the leader of the scheme which ended up victimizi…
Westchester County Man Accused Of Gunpoint Kidnapping Sentenced On Weapons Charge Westchester County Man Accused Of Gunpoint Kidnapping Sentenced On Weapons Charge
Westchester County Man Accused Of Gunpoint Kidnapping Sentenced On Weapons Charge A man from Westchester County man once accused of committing a violent gunpoint kidnapping has been sentenced to prison on weapons and robbery charges.  Earlier Report - Westchester Man Accused Of Zip Tying Victim In Gunpoint Kidnapping Yonkers resident Owen Drain, also known as “Whiteboy,” and “Tommy,” was sentenced to seven years in federal prison on Friday, Dec. 2 for brandishing a weapon, according to US District Court documents.  Drain was originally accused of kidnapping a victim at gunpoint in the Bronx on Nov. 19, 2019, and zip-tying his victim while doing …
'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case 'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case
'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case A veterinarian and racehorse trainer from the Hudson Valley have received their sentences for their role in a racehorse doping scheme.  Orange County Veterinarian Louis Grasso, age 65, of Pine Bush, and trainer Richard Banca, age 47, of Middletown, were sentenced to 50 months in prison, and 30 months in prison, respectively, for producing, distributing, and administering performance-enhancing drugs as part of the doping case, according to an announcement by the US Attorney's Office from Wednesday, Nov. 16. A third man, 35-year-old trainer Rene Allard of Canada, was also sente…
Company Owner From NY Admits To Fraudulent Billing Scheme With Brother Company Owner From NY Admits To Fraudulent Billing Scheme With Brother
Company Owner From NY Admits To Fraudulent Billing Scheme With Brother Authorities say that a New York man has admitted to a fraudulent and elaborate billing scheme involving a manufacturing company with facilities in Maryland with his brother. Long Island resident Robert DiNoto, 48, of Huntington, pleaded guilty this week to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection to a Harford County company with his brother, Eugene DiNoto, who submitted false invoices for undelivered commercial drum containers, according to federal officials. DiNoto was the owner and President of American Pride Distributors in Woodbury, in Nassau County, which sold commercial drum cont…
NY Judge Named ‘Special Master’ In DOJ Probe Of Trump’s Handling Of Classified Docs NY Judge Named ‘Special Master’ In DOJ Probe Of Trump’s Handling Of Classified Docs
NY Judge Named ‘Special Master’ In DOJ Probe Of Trump’s Handling Of Classified Docs A veteran New York judge from Long Island will be tasked with reviewing documents that were seized by the FBI from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Raymond Dearie, age 79, a senior federal judge in the Eastern District of New York, was named by a federal judge in Florida as a so-called special master Thursday evening, Sept. 15. Dearie was one of two potential candidates put forward by Trump’s legal team and was also endorsed by the Department of Justice. In his role as special master, he will be responsible for reviewing documents and separating out those that …
Man Accused Of Traveling To NY To Meet Minor For Sex, Feds Say Man Accused Of Traveling To NY To Meet Minor For Sex, Feds Say
Man Accused Of Traveling To NY To Meet Minor For Sex, Feds Say A New England man has been accused of traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, federal authorities in New York announced. Martin Connearney, age 32, of Lenox, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County, was arrested Thursday, May 5 and charged with traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, the Department of Justice's US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and the FBI's Albany Field Office announced. The criminal complaint alleges that between Wednesday, April 6, 2022 and Wednes…
Hudson Valley Man Among Four Charged In Multi-Billion Dollar Market Manipulation Scheme Hudson Valley Man Among Four Charged In Multi-Billion Dollar Market Manipulation Scheme
Hudson Valley Man Among Four Charged In Multi-Billion Dollar Market Manipulation Scheme Federal officials announced that four have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in the multi-billion dollar collapse of Archegos Capital Management. US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said that the firm’s former CFO, Long Island resident Patrick Halligan, age 45, of Syosset, and New Jersey resident of Bill Hwang of Tenafly in Bergen County, have been arrested in connection to what Williams said was a racketeering scheme to manipulate the prices of publicly traded securities and to defraud global investment banks. Also charged, according to the De…
COVID-19: CDC Issues New Advisory Recommending People Wear Masks In These Settings COVID-19: CDC Issues New Advisory Recommending People Wear Masks In These Settings
Covid-19: CDC Issues New Advisory Recommending People Wear Masks In These Settings The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is calling on the Department of Justice to proceed with an appeal after a federal judge struck down President Joe Biden’s mask mandate for public transportation settings. Following the announcement of the judgment, the CDC issued a statement advising that the agency is continuing to advise that all Americans continue to mask up while using public transportation, despite the ruling. Original story - COVID-19: Federal Judge Strikes Down CDC Mask Mandate For Travel According to the CDC, officials “continue to recommend that people west mask…
NY Doctor Charged For $1.3 Million Fraud Scheme NY Doctor Charged For $1.3 Million Fraud Scheme
NY Doctor Charged For $1.3 Million Fraud Scheme A New York doctor is accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of over $1.3 million. Federal prosecutors allege that Dr. Perry Frankel, age 64, of Roslyn, in Nassau County, submitted false billing claims to Medicare and Medicaid for office visits that were never performed for patients who received COVID-19 tests. The tests were done at mobile sites across Long Island through Frankel’s cardiology clinic, Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics PLLC, located in Great Neck. Frankel was not even in New York when some of the alleged office visits occurred, prosecutors said. “As alleged, exploiti…
DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged 121 Clients In Westchester Sex Cult Trial DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged 121 Clients In Westchester Sex Cult Trial
DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged 121 Clients In Westchester Sex Cult Trial The trial of a father accused of running an alleged sex cult out of his daughter’s college dorm room in Westchester County took an unexpected twist after federal prosecutors reportedly released a list of former clients tied to the operation. Lawrence Ray, age 62, the man who allegedly ran the cult out of Sarah Lawrence College near the border of Yonkers and Bronxville in Westchester, has been on trial in Manhattan for more than a week on charges that include sex trafficking, extortion, forced labor, and other offenses for running the shady operation at the school. Original story - Father O…
COVID-19: Feds Aim To Stop Deceptive Marketing Of Tea Product Advertised As Virus Treatment COVID-19: Feds Aim To Stop Deceptive Marketing Of Tea Product Advertised As Virus Treatment
Covid-19: Feds Aim To Stop Deceptive Marketing Of Tea Product Advertised As Virus Treatment Federal officials are seeking civil penalties after a tea company allegedly advertised that its product could prevent or treat COVID-19. B4B Earth Tea LLC, B4B Corp., and Andrew Martin Sinclair are accused of violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, according to an announcement on Thursday, March 3, from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The defendants reportedly advertised that the herbal tea product, Earth Tea, could prevent or treat COVID-19, according to a crimi…
Former Harvard Department Chair Found Guilty Of Hiding Ties To China Former Harvard Department Chair Found Guilty Of Hiding Ties To China
Former Harvard Department Chair Found Guilty Of Hiding Ties To China A former Harvard University department chair has been found guilty of charges in connection with lying to federal authorities about his ties to China and failing to report income he received from a university in China. Charles Lieber, age 62, was found guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 21, of: Two counts of making false statements to federal authorities,  Two counts of making and subscribing a false income tax return, Two counts of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts with the Internal Revenue Service. Lieber is the former chair of Harvard's Chemistry and Che…
Feds Launch Investigation Into Westchester Police Department Feds Launch Investigation Into Westchester Police Department
Feds Launch Investigation Into Westchester Police Department Federal investigators have launched a probe into a Hudson Valley police department to determine whether or not officers engaged in a pattern of discriminatory policing. US Attorney Damian Williams announced that in Westchester, the Justice Department has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department. According to Williams, the investigation will assess the department’s use of force, strip and body cavity searches, and how it handles evidence. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of Mount Vernon Police Department’s systems of accountabil…
NY Man Charged In Multi-Million Dollar Mail Scam NY Man Charged In Multi-Million Dollar Mail Scam
NY Man Charged In Multi-Million Dollar Mail Scam A New York man is one of three suspects facing charges for their roles in a multi-million mail scam, federal officials announced. Jeffrey Novis, age 79, of Long Island, Shawn Phillips, age 52, of British Columbia, Canada, and Phillip Priolo, age 58, of Hallandale Beach, Florida have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and multiple counts of mail fraud and wire fraud after operating an elaborate scheme over several years. An indictment was unsealed in US District Court this week charging the three with running a fraudulent mass-mailing scheme that tricked consum…
Massachusetts Governor Backs Biden Push For Death Penalty In Boston Marathon Case Massachusetts Governor Backs Biden Push For Death Penalty In Boston Marathon Case
Massachusetts Governor Backs Biden Push For Death Penalty In Boston Marathon Case Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is backing the Department of Justice and President Joe Biden as they seek to reinstate the death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. This week, the Department of Justice encouraged the Supreme Court to reinstate the death penalty for Tsarnaev, calling it "one of the worst” acts of terrorism in the US since the Sept. 11 bombings. Though Biden has publicly opposed capital punishment, his administration threw its support behind the DOJ, which filed a 48-page brief to overturn a previous decision from a lower court that vacated Tsarnaev’s dea…
Feds Drop Charges Against One Of Capitol Riot Suspects From Hudson Valley Feds Drop Charges Against One Of Capitol Riot Suspects From Hudson Valley
Feds Drop Charges Against One Of Capitol Riot Suspects From Hudson Valley The Department of Justice is planning to drop its case against a Hudson Valley man who was facing charges for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Rockland County resident Christopher Kelly, of New City, was charged in US District Court in January after being identified through social media as one of the rioters who allegedly entered the Capitol building on Jan. 6 during the pro-Trump demonstration. Original story - Hudson Valley Resident Charged For Role In Capitol Riot However, federal prosecutors told a judge this week that they plan to drop the case aga…
NY Man Nabbed For Role In Capitol Riot After Showing Video At Dentist's Office, FBI Says NY Man Nabbed For Role In Capitol Riot After Showing Video At Dentist's Office, FBI Says
NY Man Nabbed For Role In Capitol Riot After Showing Video At Dentist's Office, FBI Says A New York man was arrested for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol after being heard showing off videos of the pro-Trump riot at an upstate dentist’s office, according to the FBI. Daniel Warmus, of Buffalo, was arrested this week and accused of taking part in the deadly riot after the FBI received a tip from someone who overheard him talking about the incident. The tipster told the FBI that he could hear Warmus playing a video taken from inside the Capitol building on Jan. 6. It is further alleged that Warmus proclaimed that he smoked marijuana while inside the building. …
COVID-19: Cuomo Defends Nursing Home Death Reporting, Calling It 'Political Football' COVID-19: Cuomo Defends Nursing Home Death Reporting, Calling It 'Political Football'
Covid-19: Cuomo Defends Nursing Home Death Reporting, Calling It 'Political Football' Gov. Andrew Cuomo defended his administration’s handling of the counting of COVID-19-related deaths in New York nursing homes, calling it “political” and driven by former President Donald Trump. In his latest public comment on the subject following a scathing report that found his top aides worked for months to obscure the number of virus-related deaths in nursing homes, Cuomo sought to defend his administration while explaining the confusion in the data that was publicly released. Earlier story - Report: Cuomo Aides' Effort To Keep Nursing Home Deaths Secret Greater Than Previously Known …
COVID-19: Cuomo Admits Lack Of Transparency On Reporting Nursing Home Data Amid Backlash COVID-19: Cuomo Admits Lack Of Transparency On Reporting Nursing Home Data Amid Backlash
Covid-19: Cuomo Admits Lack Of Transparency On Reporting Nursing Home Data Amid Backlash In his first public comments on a top aide's admission that his administration "froze" when asked by both federal and state officials to release data on COVID-19 nursing home fatalities, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the lack of transparency was a mistake. Cuomo said “there was a delay,” in reporting the data, and that void led to “skepticism, cynicism and conspiracy theories which furthered confusion" in a news briefing held in Albany on Monday, Feb. 15. "We should have provided more information faster," Cuomo said. "We were too focused on doing the job and addressing the crisis of the …
Westchester Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances, Lack Of Transparency Westchester Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances, Lack Of Transparency
Westchester Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances, Lack Of Transparency Drastic cuts could be coming to one of Westchester’s largest cities as the Mayor butts heads with the City Comptroller. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and the City Council recently held a joint press conference regarding Comptroller Deborah Reynolds and her “lack of transparency, accountability, and professionalism,” that has left the city at a financial crossroads. According to Patterson-Howard, as the city and state continue combating the COVID-19 crisis, Mount Vernon requires Reynolds to release more than $12 million, or austerity measures may be put in place, including a 25 …