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Hudson Valley Woman Admits To Crashing Stolen Car Into 5 People On Sidewalk Hudson Valley Woman Admits To Crashing Stolen Car Into 5 People On Sidewalk
Hudson Valley Woman Admits To Crashing Stolen Car Into 5 People On Sidewalk  Peekskill, A Northern Westchester woman has pleaded guilty to crashing a stolen car into five pedestrians, including two children. The incident causing serious injuries happened on Friday, March 15, in Manhattan. Sharon Goodwin, age 32, of Peekskill, pleaded guilty in a New York State Supreme Court to one count of second-degree assault, a felony.  Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced that, under the terms of the plea, she is expected to be sentenced to four and a half years in state prison on Tuesday, Oct. 22. “Addressing vehicular violence is an essential …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says
World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says New York State is suing the world’s largest beef producer, claiming it lied about its environmental impacts in order to boost sales. A lawsuit filed by Attorney General Letitia James in New York State Supreme Court on Wednesday, Feb. 28, accuses JBS USA Food Company of deceptive business practices and false advertising. According to James’ office, the company has repeatedly misled the public by claiming it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, despite documented plans to increase production and grow its carbon footprint. In 2021, the JBS Group reported total global greenh…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Support Swells For Vietnam Vet Exonerated Of 1975 Rape In Westchester Support Swells For Vietnam Vet Exonerated Of 1975 Rape In Westchester
Support Swells For Vietnam Vet Exonerated Of 1975 Rape In Westchester Nearly half a century after a 72-year-old Vietnam War veteran was wrongfully convicted of rape that he was found to have not committed, community members are coming together to help him rebuild his life.  South Carolina resident Leonard Mack, age 72, has been exonerated of a 1975 rape in Greenburgh that he was convicted of in 1976, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Sept. 5.  Earlier Report: New DNA Evidence Exonerates Man Of Rape In Greenburgh: DA Seeks To Vacate Conviction Following his wrongful conviction, Mack served a sentence of ove…

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by Ben Crnic
News
New DNA Evidence Exonerates Man Of Rape In Westchester: DA Seeks To Vacate Conviction New DNA Evidence Exonerates Man Of Rape In Westchester: DA Seeks To Vacate Conviction
New DNA Evidence Exonerates Man Of Rape In Westchester: DA Seeks To Vacate Conviction DA officials are asking the court to vacate the conviction of a 72-year-old man who served numerous years in prison for a 1975 rape in Westchester that he was found to have not committed thanks to new DNA evidence.  The Westchester County District Attorney's Office will ask the court to vacate the conviction of South Carolina resident Leonard Mack, age 72, who spent over seven years in prison for a 1975 rape in Greenburgh, DA officials announced on Tuesday, Sept. 5.  At the time of the rape, on May 23, 1975, Mack had been accused of forcing two high school students at gunpoint int…

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by Ben Crnic
News
NYU Finance Director Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says NYU Finance Director Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says
NYU Finance Director Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says A former director at New York University is being accused of embezzling millions in state funding and using much of the money to fund a lavish lifestyle at her home in Connecticut home, according to authorities. The six-year fraud by Fairfield County resident Cindy Tappe, age 57, of Westport, related to two NYU programs, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced this week. Tappe used her position as the director of finance and administration for NYU’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and Transformation of Schools to diver…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Yes, Golf Course In Westchester County Can Build 105 Homes On Property, Court Rules Yes, Golf Course In Westchester County Can Build 105 Homes On Property, Court Rules
Yes, Golf Course In Westchester County Can Build 105 Homes On Property, Court Rules A Westchester County country club will once again be able to pursue permits to build 105 residences on its property, thanks to a court ruling.  In a ruling from the New York State Supreme Court from Thursday, Nov. 17, it was determined that the Hampshire Country Club in Mamaroneck can resume a decade-long effort to move forward with the project after it was denied by the village's Planning Board, according to the ruling.  According to the decision, the court found that the Planning Board's denial was illegal and motivated by an already-existing desire for a negative result.  …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Gotta Go: NY Education Dept. Orders Schools To Replace Native American Mascots, Team Names Gotta Go: NY Education Dept. Orders Schools To Replace Native American Mascots, Team Names
Gotta Go: NY Education Dept. Orders Schools To Replace Native American Mascots, Team Names Schools in New York can no longer have Native American mascots or team names without risking serious consequences. In a letter sent to all school districts on Thursday, Nov. 17, the State Education Department’s Senior Deputy Commissioner, James Baldwin, ordered schools with a Native American mascot to find a replacement by the end of the 2022-23 school year. The order also applies to team names and logos. Schools that don’t retire their mascots could have their school officers removed or have state aid withheld, Baldwin said. Thursday’s order came after the Cambridge Central School Distr…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Former NY Public Defender Sentenced For Brutally Beating Ex-Girlfriend Former NY Public Defender Sentenced For Brutally Beating Ex-Girlfriend
Former NY Public Defender Sentenced For Brutally Beating Ex-Girlfriend A man who once defended New York residents against criminal charges is heading to prison for brutally beating his ex-girlfriend. Former Greene County assistant public defender Anthony Pastel was sentenced Friday, July 8, to seven years behind bars, the maximum sentence possible. It followed his guilty plea to felony assault charges stemming from an attack in the village of Athens in August 2020 that left his victim with multiple injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding in her brain, according to the Greene County DA's office.  The victim spent eight days recovering at Albany…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
NY Judge Lifts Contempt Finding Against Trump, Orders Him To Pay $110,000, Outlines Conditions NY Judge Lifts Contempt Finding Against Trump, Orders Him To Pay $110,000, Outlines Conditions
NY Judge Lifts Contempt Finding Against Trump, Orders Him To Pay $110,000, Outlines Conditions A judge has lifted a civil contempt filing against former President Donald Trump - assuming certain conditions are met - and ordered him to pay $110,000 in fines to her office. New York Attorney General Letitia James had announced on Monday, April 25, that Trump is being held in contempt of court by the New York State Supreme Court for failing to comply with previous orders to provide documents amid the ongoing investigation into his business dealings. The judge at the time ordered that Trump be fined $10,000 daily, which the former president sought to fight. In New York, Judge Arthur…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Trump Held In Contempt By NY Judge, Ordered To Pay $10K Per Day For Not Responding To Subpoena Trump Held In Contempt By NY Judge, Ordered To Pay $10K Per Day For Not Responding To Subpoena
Trump Held In Contempt By NY Judge, Ordered To Pay $10K Per Day For Not Responding To Subpoena The New York Attorney General won what she called a “major victory” in her ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump and his business dealings. Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday April 25, that Trump is being held in contempt of court by the New York State Supreme Court for failing to comply with previous orders to provide documents amid the ongoing investigation. Earlier story - NY AG Asks Judge To Hold Donald Trump In Contempt Of Court Trump will now be fined $10,000 daily for each day that he continues to violate the court’s orders to produce the documents…

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by Zak Failla
News
Court Rules That Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr. Must Testify About Their Business Practices Court Rules That Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr. Must Testify About Their Business Practices
Court Rules That Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr. Must Testify About Their Business Practices Former President Donald Trump and his two eldest children have been ordered to testify as New York Attorney General Letitia James continues her years-long probe into his company’s business dealings. On Thursday, Feb. 17, James announced that she had won a major victory in her office’s civil investigation into the former president and the Trump Organization’s business practices. Earlier story - NY AG Files Motion To Block Trump Lawsuit Interfering With Her Investigation New York State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump, Jr. must all appear fo…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Longtime Judge From Westchester Appointed By JFK As Assistant US Attorney Dies Longtime Judge From Westchester Appointed By JFK As Assistant US Attorney Dies
Longtime Judge From Westchester Appointed By JFK As Assistant US Attorney Dies A retired New York State Supreme Court Justice and former assistant United States attorney appointed by former President John F. Kennedy has died at the age of 85. Kenneth Rudolph died on Sunday, Dec. 26, according to his obituary. Rudolph began his legal career as an assistant US attorney appointed by President Kennedy before he moved on to become a co-founding member of Rudolph & Altieri. In 1984, he was appointed as acting judge of the City of New Rochelle, and he became the presiding judge in 1991. He was elected to the Supreme Court of the State of New York in 1995, and he became…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Court Dismisses Legion Of Christ Lawsuit Against Northern Westchester Town Court Dismisses Legion Of Christ Lawsuit Against Northern Westchester Town
Court Dismisses Legion Of Christ Lawsuit Against Northern Westchester Town A civil discrimination lawsuit filed by the Legion of Christ against a Northern Westchester town has been tossed out after a judge found no credible evidence to back their claims. The New York State Supreme Court dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed by the religious group against the Town of Mount Pleasant over a dispute about the Legion’s former land in Thornwood. Officials said that the Legion of Christ sued Mount Pleasant for religious discrimination after the Town determined that the Legion’s undeveloped, 161-acre property in Thornwood was taxable. Related story - Thornwood Legion S…

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by Zak Failla
News
Archdiocese Ordered To Give Details Of Westchester Coach Accused Of Molesting Student Archdiocese Ordered To Give Details Of Westchester Coach Accused Of Molesting Student
Archdiocese Ordered To Give Details Of Westchester Coach Accused Of Molesting Student A judge has ordered the Archdiocese of New York and three Catholic schools to turn over a host of documents and information regarding a former educator and coach who allegedly molested students over the course of decades. Edwin Gaynor, of Ossining, is accused of fondling minors during gym classes in the 1960s when he worked at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Scarsdale, as well as other students in Westchester, according to a lawsuit filed in Westchester County civil court two years ago. It is alleged that the Archdiocese of New York knew of the abuse and rather than handle the situation,…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Supreme Court Rules Against Cuomo, DOH On Nursing Home Data COVID-19: NY Supreme Court Rules Against Cuomo, DOH On Nursing Home Data
Covid-19: NY Supreme Court Rules Against Cuomo, DOH On Nursing Home Data New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues facing pressure for his administration’s handling of the state’s nursing home during the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York State Supreme Court has ruled that Cuomo has five business days to respond to a FOIL request to release data on COVID-19 in nursing homes after a lawsuit was filed by Sen. Jim Tedisco and the Empire Center for Public Policy. Original story - COVID-19: NY AG Report Says Nursing Home Deaths May Have Been Undercounted By 50 Percent The lawsuit sought the release of Health Emergency Response Data System data that is re…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Former NY State Supreme Court Justice, Longtime Area Resident Ralph Beisner, Dies Former NY State Supreme Court Justice, Longtime Area Resident Ralph Beisner, Dies
Former NY State Supreme Court Justice, Longtime Area Resident Ralph Beisner, Dies Former Dutchess County Supreme Court Justice, lawyer and pastor Ralph Beisner died at 78 on Monday, Dec. 14.  “Ralph Beisner dedicated his life to his family and his community, and Dutchess County joins his loved ones in mourning his passing and celebrating his legacy of strong faith and devoted service," said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro of Beisner's passing. "Ralph was from Dutchess County and a lawyer, New York State Supreme Court Justice, author, artist, and pastor, but most important to him was his role as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.  "We exte…

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by Christina Coulter
Politics
Trump Ordered To Pay $2M To Settle Lawsuit Alleging He, Children Repeatedly Broke Charity Laws Trump Ordered To Pay $2M To Settle Lawsuit Alleging He, Children Repeatedly Broke Charity Laws
Trump Ordered To Pay $2M To Settle Lawsuit Alleging He, Children Repeatedly Broke Charity Laws President Donald Trump will be shelling out $2 million to resolve a civil lawsuit that alleged illegal activities during the 2016 election. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Thursday, Nov. 7, that the New York State Supreme Court ordered the president to pay $2 million to various nonprofit organizations for improperly using charitable assets during the presidential primary in 2016. The court order comes as part of James’ lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation and its directors, which include Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump that was filed in 2…

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by Zak Failla
News
Hudson Valley Woman Accused Of Hitting, Killing Grandfather With Car In NYC Hudson Valley Woman Accused Of Hitting, Killing Grandfather With Car In NYC
Hudson Valley Woman Accused Of Hitting, Killing Grandfather With Car In NYC A Hudson Valley woman with a spotty driving record is facing multiple charges for allegedly striking three pedestrians, including a beloved grandfather, on two separate occasions in Manhattan. Jessenia Fajardo, 38, of Walden in Orange County, was charged in New York State Supreme Court with manslaughter, second- and third-degree assault after killing 62-year-old Alfred Pocari, “seriously injuring” a second victim and injuring a third victim in a separate incident. Fajardo was also charged with leaving the scene of an incident with failure to exhibit documents and three counts of violating …

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by Zak Failla
News
12 Ex-Students From Westchester-Based NY School For The Deaf Sue Over Sex Abuse, Report Says 12 Ex-Students From Westchester-Based NY School For The Deaf Sue Over Sex Abuse, Report Says
12 Ex-Students From Westchester-Based NY School For The Deaf Sue Over Sex Abuse, Report Says A dozen women who attended the New York School of the Deaf in Westchester decades ago are alleging sexual abuse by a man who supervised their dorm. The 12 filed a lawsuit on Wednesday morning, Oct. 16 in New York State Supreme Court in Westchester County, according to The New York Times. It is alleged that Joseph Casucci, a member of the supervisory staff of the school, also called Fanwood and located in White Plains, sexually abused students while they were at the school between 1965 and 1975, with at least one accuser claiming that she was abused beginning when she was 4 years old. Casuc…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Iconic NY Radio Station Suddenly Shuts Down After 59-Year Run Iconic NY Radio Station Suddenly Shuts Down After 59-Year Run
Iconic NY Radio Station Suddenly Shuts Down After 59-Year Run An iconic New York radio station unexpectedly shuttered its doors and is off the air. WBAI FM 99.5, which has been on the air since 1955, announced suddenly this week that due to “ongoing and continued projections of further financial losses,” according to its California-based nonprofit parent, Pacifica Foundation. Claiming “the program change was necessitated by the serious and persistent financial losses at WBAI,” the Pacifica Foundation was forced to lay off the staff of its Brooklyn-based station. “This is a painful moment for us, especially the WBAI staff and volunteers who have done …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
NY Sex Offenders Don't Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says NY Sex Offenders Don't Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says
NY Sex Offenders Don't Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says People convicted of sexual offenses in New York will not have to disclose their status and will be permitted to use their Facebook accounts provided they don’t use a false name. The New York State Supreme Court unanimously made the ruling on Thursday, June 27, after a man from Ticonderoga was charged for failing to disclose to state officials that he used the social media website. His case has since been dismissed. The question arose regarding Arthur Ellis, Jr., who was convicted of a sexual offense in 2011 in Essex County and was obligated to disclose that he had a Facebook account when he…

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by Zak Failla
News
Pro Backgammon Aficionado From Westchester Sentenced For Murdering Estranged Wife In Bathtub Pro Backgammon Aficionado From Westchester Sentenced For Murdering Estranged Wife In Bathtub
Pro Backgammon Aficionado From Westchester Sentenced For Murdering Estranged Wife In Bathtub An area man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of murdering his wife on New Year’s Eve nearly a decade ago. New Rochelle resident Roderick Covlin, 45, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murdering his wife, Shele Danishefsky Covlin, 47, at her Upper West Side Apartment in her bathroom on New Year’s Eve in 2009. Covlin was found guilty of second-degree murder by a New York State Supreme Court jury on March 13. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. announced the sentencing on Wednesday, April 10. A 1991 New Rochelle High School graduate,…

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by Zak Failla
News
Disbarred Poughkeepsie Attorney Accused Of Stealing From Clients Faces Felony Charges Disbarred Poughkeepsie Attorney Accused Of Stealing From Clients Faces Felony Charges
Disbarred Poughkeepsie Attorney Accused Of Stealing From Clients Faces Felony Charges A Poughkeepsie attorney who was disbarred last week by the state Supreme Court has been charged with "stealing unearned retainer fees from clients," according to Dutchess County District Attorney William V. Grady. Michael Varble was arraigned on Wednesday, March 6, in the City Court of Poughkeepsie before City Judge Scott Volkman on seven separate felonies, four of which charged grand larceny, a class D felony, and three charging grand larceny in the fourth degree, said Grady.  “Mr. Varble is charged in all of the felony complaints with stealing unearned retainer fees from clients," Gr…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Disbarred Area Attorney Sentenced For Mail Fraud, Tax Evasion, Other Crimes Disbarred Area Attorney Sentenced For Mail Fraud, Tax Evasion, Other Crimes
Disbarred Area Attorney Sentenced For Mail Fraud, Tax Evasion, Other Crimes A disbarred area lawyer who had been disbarred has been sentenced after being convicted on multiple charges for his role in misappropriating funds from a landowner he represented and later attempting to obstruct the IRS from finding out the details of his scheme. Former Orange County attorney Joseph Scali has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted on charges that include mail fraud, structuring cash transactions, making false statements to the IRS, obstructing the IRS, tax evasion, obstruction of justice, and perjury. He must also pay a total of $1,511,534.73 in r…

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by Zak Failla