MAYOR'S CLOSE FRIEND,
AN ALLEGED PEDOPHILE
ACCUSSED OF RAPE AGAIN.
ACCUSSED OF RAPE AGAIN. THIS TIME AN INNOCENT 13 YEAR-OLD GIRL IDENTIFIED MAYOR'S FRIEND AS THE PERPETRATOR
On February 12, 2010, at approximately 3A.M., the Lantana, Florida, police received a kidnapping report about a 13 year-old female runaway. Earlier that night, she had been picked up by one Craig Jones, aide to notorious boxing promoter, Don King. Jones is a Mt. Vernon resident and long-time friend and supporter of Mayor Clinton Young.
The girl admitted running away, and advised police she had been at the Lantana Library using computers until 6:00 P.M. She then went to the coin laundry down the street and stayed there until 10:00 P.M. when Jones approached her in a black SUV. She got in and he drove her to Don King’s home in Manalapan, Florida. Jones was staying there to help re-launch the career of heavyweight boxing champ and convicted rapist, Mike Tyson.
The young girl told police Jones insisted on taking pictures of her which made her uncomfortable. After the photo shoot, Jones had sexual intercourse with the underage girl. As recorded in the police report, after Jones finished with her, he washed up, wiped her down with a towel, drove her back to the Lantana Middle School, gave her $50 and sent her on her way.
Jones denied having sex with the runaway, but admitted he picked her up and brought her to King’s house and later dropped her off.
Sources in Mt. Vernon political circles said Mayor Young knew of Jones’s 2003 sexual abuse conviction in Westchester and could not care less. In that case, Jones forced a 14 year-old Yonkers girl to have sex with him while he took pictures of her. Mayor Young reportedly said: “He paid his debt to society, now let him be.” The jury deadlocked on the sexual abuse charge, and rather than face re-trial, Jones copped a plea with Jeannine Pirro’s prosecutors to a misdemeanor charge of “endangering the welfare of a minor.” Jones was sentenced to three years probation and forced to undergo sex offender therapy, but violated that order in 2006 which added two months to his sentence.
Subsequently, Jones attracted much attention by operating an illegal bar and social club at 10 North 3rd Avenue in Mt. Vernon without licenses and permits. Ultimately, community pressure forced him to close down.
In recent months, Mayor Young has been subject to withering criticism from community activist, Samuel Rivers, for surrounding himself with shady characters such as Department of Public Works Commissioner, Terence Horton, once arrested for illegal weapons possession; Director of Civil Defense, Antoine Lowe, once arrested for soliciting an undercover prostitute; and Building Inspector, John Allyene, alleged to have DWI convictions and a prior arrest for illegal weapons possession.
A rape examination of the 13 year-old Florida victim was performed by William Rosenstein, M.D. He reported to Lantana Police the runaway was positive for sexual abuse and dried semen. A fresh tear of her hymen was still bleeding at the time of examination, and bleeding in the vaginal vault behind the hymen indicated very recent penetration. The runaway claimed she was a virgin prior to being raped by Jones.
Clinton Young was a county legislator for many years before he became Mayor of Mt Vernon, and has been in the public eye for years. It is simply inexcusable for a public official to associate with anyone convicted of sex crimes against children. If Jones is convicted of this horrific crime -- which bears striking resemblance to Jones’s 2003 case involving a similarly young victim – then Jones like will be sent away for a long time, and Mayor Young will have one less acolyte at his re-election fund raisers, and one less criminal at his side when he delivers his concession speech following the 2011 mayoral election.
Showing posts with label City of Mount Vernon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City of Mount Vernon. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Thursday, April 9, 2009
City of Mount Vernon.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Gerrie” Post And Wayne Charles Found
Guilty Of Mail Fraud And Conspiracy
LEV L. DASSIN, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CONSTANCE G. POST, former Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Department of Planning and Community Development as well as Executive Director of the Mount Vernon Department of Planning and Urban Renewal Agency, and WAYNE CHARLES were found guilty following a month-long jury trial in White Plains federal court on charges stemming from their diversion of more than $2 million in state and federal funds.
As established by the evidence at trial:
POST and CHARLES, who had a romantic relationship, arranged to steer a computer services contract to a company secretly owned by CHARLES. Using the name of a defunct computer services company that a friend had operated, CHARLES concealed from the City of Mount Vernon that he had no computer expertise, no employees, and no ability to perform under the contract. POST hired and directed people to work for CHARLES’ company, which enriched CHARLES but ultimately cost the City more than twice what it would have paid if the employees had worked directly for the City. POST also disregarded the monetary restrictions placed upon her by the Mount Vernon board that approved the computer services contract and steered hundreds of thousands of dollars beyond her authorization to CHARLES.
Separately, in connection with a $500,000 loan awarded by the City to CHARLES to renovate property on Third Street, CHARLES, with the approval of POST, falsely stated that he had not used any other names, and falsely certified that he had no other business with the Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency.
In fact, CHARLES used numerous false names with the approval and assistance of POST in order to conceal his involvement in various matters in the City. Then, after renovations were complete at the Third Street property, another lender, in accordance with the terms of the City’s loan, repaid $250,000 of the loan, leaving an unpaid balance of $250,000. POST buried the unpaid balance on Mount Vernon’s books via a series of complicated financial transactions, ensuring that CHARLES was not required to repay the loan to Mount Vernon. Years later, in 2005, when federal investigators were examining the Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency’s financial records, POST retroactively recorded the unpaid balance of the CHARLES loan on the books of the Urban Renewal Agency.
Shortly thereafter, CHARLES made a few payments on the loan, which otherwise remains unpaid. POST also received $30,000 from CHARLES and did not file the financial disclosure forms required by local law for her position.
POST and CHARLES were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of mail fraud. CHARLES was also convicted of making false statements to federal agents who interviewed him in 2006.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2009, before United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS. POST, of Mount Vernon, New York, and CHARLES, of New York City, face up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to 20 years in prison on the mail fraud charge of the Indictment. CHARLES also faces up to five years in prison on the false statement charge. Mr. DASSIN praised the joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorneys CYNTHIA K. DUNNE and ANDREW S. DEMBER are in charge of the prosecution.
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Gerrie” Post And Wayne Charles Found
Guilty Of Mail Fraud And Conspiracy
LEV L. DASSIN, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CONSTANCE G. POST, former Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Department of Planning and Community Development as well as Executive Director of the Mount Vernon Department of Planning and Urban Renewal Agency, and WAYNE CHARLES were found guilty following a month-long jury trial in White Plains federal court on charges stemming from their diversion of more than $2 million in state and federal funds.
As established by the evidence at trial:
POST and CHARLES, who had a romantic relationship, arranged to steer a computer services contract to a company secretly owned by CHARLES. Using the name of a defunct computer services company that a friend had operated, CHARLES concealed from the City of Mount Vernon that he had no computer expertise, no employees, and no ability to perform under the contract. POST hired and directed people to work for CHARLES’ company, which enriched CHARLES but ultimately cost the City more than twice what it would have paid if the employees had worked directly for the City. POST also disregarded the monetary restrictions placed upon her by the Mount Vernon board that approved the computer services contract and steered hundreds of thousands of dollars beyond her authorization to CHARLES.
Separately, in connection with a $500,000 loan awarded by the City to CHARLES to renovate property on Third Street, CHARLES, with the approval of POST, falsely stated that he had not used any other names, and falsely certified that he had no other business with the Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency.
In fact, CHARLES used numerous false names with the approval and assistance of POST in order to conceal his involvement in various matters in the City. Then, after renovations were complete at the Third Street property, another lender, in accordance with the terms of the City’s loan, repaid $250,000 of the loan, leaving an unpaid balance of $250,000. POST buried the unpaid balance on Mount Vernon’s books via a series of complicated financial transactions, ensuring that CHARLES was not required to repay the loan to Mount Vernon. Years later, in 2005, when federal investigators were examining the Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency’s financial records, POST retroactively recorded the unpaid balance of the CHARLES loan on the books of the Urban Renewal Agency.
Shortly thereafter, CHARLES made a few payments on the loan, which otherwise remains unpaid. POST also received $30,000 from CHARLES and did not file the financial disclosure forms required by local law for her position.
POST and CHARLES were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of mail fraud. CHARLES was also convicted of making false statements to federal agents who interviewed him in 2006.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2009, before United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS. POST, of Mount Vernon, New York, and CHARLES, of New York City, face up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to 20 years in prison on the mail fraud charge of the Indictment. CHARLES also faces up to five years in prison on the false statement charge. Mr. DASSIN praised the joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorneys CYNTHIA K. DUNNE and ANDREW S. DEMBER are in charge of the prosecution.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Westchester Guardian/The Court Report/City of Mount Vernon.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
‘Gerrie’ Post And Wayne Charles Go To
Prosecutor-Predicted Four Week Trial
United States District Court, White Plains
Judge Kenneth M. Karas Presiding
The fraud case of former Mount Vernon Planning, and Housing Commissioner, Constance Post, 59, better known to her friends and people around
City Hall as ‘Gerrie’, and her reputed lover, Wayne Charles, a small-time real estate speculator and developer, finally got underway last Tuesday afternoon following a weather cancellation on Monday, and the need for District Court Judge Kenneth M. Karas to deal with three of the 16
jurors who had been seated the previous Friday.
The thrust of the Government’s case against the pair involves the alleged steering of some $2.3 million in loans and city contracts by Post to Charles over several years, for which lead Prosecutor Cynthia Dunne told the jury, in her opening statement, “The evidence will show that while Charles was riding high, he gave post $30,000.”
Assistant United States Attorney Dunne, who readers will recall is also the lead prosecutor in the Paul Cote case, told the jurors, “This case is about fraud, theft, and corruption,” explaining that it was Post’s calculated intention to wrongfully enrich Wayne Charles, 56, and ultimately enter into business with him. Attempting to tie the Defendants tightly together in a common scheme, Dunne declared, “It’s about two people who lied and cheated to enrich themselves with hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Dunne said, “The most important Defendant is Constance Post. Post, and her very close friend, took advantage of funds available. Post made it
a priority to see that Mr. Charles got city contracts.”
Labeling it, “A brief overview,’ Dunne launched into the history of the company known as Micros Only, previously owned and operated by an associate of Charles, named Dante Brown. She explained how Charles, without Brown’s knowledge, set up checking accounts in the name of Micros Only Computer Concepts, Inc., thereby establishing a vehicle and depository into which funds from the City of Mount Vernon, in payment for computer technology services, ostensibly performed by Micros Only, could be deposited and disbursed under the control of Wayne Charles. Dunne explained that Charles involved his sister in the setting up and servicing of the bank accounts, thereby avoiding recognition and identification
with the flow of funds. Dunne explained that Post went far beyond steering computer technology business to Charles’ fraudulent business, declaring,
“Post took additional steps. She used HUD funds which were meant for housing and recreational uses.”
She explained further, to the jurors, “The City Council had placed specific caps on how much could be paid to Micros. When $80,000 was authorized, she [Post], in fact, released $335,000.”
Dunne indicated that in the following year Post moved more than $600,000 to Wayne Charles’ businesses, and, that when the City tightened the reins, she saw to it that her close friend obtained “A $500,000 loan by fraud as “Charles falsely swore he had no other relationship with the City.”
Dunne then pointed out to the jury that Mr. Charles had only repaid half of the loan, and that was several years later. Dunne went on to explain that there was a garage security contract for which Charles received $700,000, “even though he had no employees.” She pointed to the figure on a projection screen, to the jury, of $2,356,083.77 as the Government’s calculated “total of the funds that post arranged to be paid to Charles.”
Dunne assured the jurors that there would be abundant proof, “the testimony of many witnesses, lots of records and charts, the Defendant’s [Constance Post] very own words at public meetings.”
She concluded, telling the jury, “It’s about improper secret dealings, misuse of federal money, private benefits to the Defendants, and the abuse of trust to steer $2.3 million to Charles.”
Dunne then made the very high-minded statement, “Our system of government depends upon the absolute integrity of public servants.” Her opening statement took 38 minutes.
Defense Attorney Andrew Rubin, representing Gerrie Post, opened his comments with, “You just heard a lot of awful bad things about Ms. Post. The Government doesn’t have any evidence of any crimes Ms. Post has committed, any crimes.”
To illustrate his point Rubin said, “Wick Security [a firm put together by Wayne Charles] was a closed bid and Ms. Post had nothing to do with it.”
Rubin went on, “The Government will not be able to prove that Gerrie Post defrauded the City of Mount Vernon out of property or out of her honest services.”
Having said that, he reminded the jury, “The standard is whether the Government proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt. There is no evidence of
a business relationship between Gerrie Post and Wayne Charles.”
He informed the jurors that Post had worked for Mount Vernon for 27 years, under Mayors Sharpe, Blackwood, and Davis. He did “admit”, however, that there had been some sloppy record keeping on his client’s watch. He then turned stern and declared, “The Government will not be able to prove that she knew of Wayne Charles’ ownership of Micros Only.”
Then turning to the $500,000 loan that Charles had received, Attorney Rubin said, “Thirty three building owners received grants. Eleven loans were given out, and four loans were lost. The City of Mount Vernon got the benefit of the bargain for what it paid.”
Attempting to put his client’s position in perspective, Rubin told the jurors, “She presented hundreds of proposals over a 15-year period. This case is based upon innuendo and speculation.” His remarks on behalf of Gerrie Post took all of 22 minutes.
Attorney Richard Levitt, speaking on behalf of Wayne Charles, immediately acknowledged that his client, “doesn’t dot every ‘i’ or cross every ‘t’.”
He quickly shifted his comments to his client’s project on Third Street, the building improvement for which he had reportedly borrowed the $500,000. He emphasized to the jurors, “The Third Street corridor was dirty and dangerous,” by way of putting his client into a favorable light for having attempted, and succeeded, in rehabilitating the small, multi-family dwelling at a rat-infested, filthy site.
Levitt told the jury of his client’s trips to China in 1997 and 1998, accompanied by Mayor Davis and Gerrie Post. He explained that it was during those trips that his client got to know Gerrie Post.
He attempted to clarify the charges against Charles: two frauds, the $500,000 loan, and the Micros Only contract, plus a charge of having made false statements to government agents when he was questioned.
Levitt concluded, telling the jurors, “This case is not about the Charles/Post relationship.” He assured them that his client “Didn’t intend to defraud, and did not conspire to deny Mount Vernon Ms. Post’s honest services.”
Analysis:
It would appear up-front that this case is going to be a typical Cynthia Dunne prosecution. By that I mean it is obvious, upon examining the three-count, 13-page indictment against Gerrie Post and Wayne Charles, given the Prosecution’s promise of 40 witnesses, that what will be brought
out will read like a badly redacted, cut-and-pasted soap opera, wherein a substantial cast of supporting actors will be covered up as the story line jumps from one scene to another, in a concerted effort to not reveal the actionable activities of co-conspirators-turned-Government-witnesses;
maybe even Ernie Davis, himself.
It is simply Attorney Dunne’s style to leave on the cutting room floor so much truth as is necessary to more convincingly project the confabulation she believes works best for her in terms of getting a conviction of those she chooses to destroy.
For example, in the Paul Cote case, the Prosecutor who just told this jury, “Our system of government depends upon the absolute integrity of public servants,” chose to prosecute the man she knew damned well was not responsible for inmate Zorn Teodorovic’s ultimate death by using the man, John Mark Reimer, who was responsible, as her key witness. ‘Where is public servant Cynthia Dunne’s integrity?’
After all, if what Dunne was eliciting from Reimer even remotely resembled the truth, why did it require 17 hours of rehearsal, with her, for Reimer to get his story straight at trial?
So much for the Prosecution’s case.
As for Defense strategy, it would appear that both Andy Rubin, for Post, and Richard Levitt, for Charles, hope to convince the jurors that what transpired between their clients, as well as between them and numerous so-called public servants in the City of Mount Vernon Municipal Administration for some eight years, until 2005, was so common around City Hall as to be hardly worthy of mention, much less federal
prosecution.
If, aside from a trash hauler with an established problem with the law, and a sanitation supervisor with whom he did business with the City, Gerrie Post and her boyfriend, Wayne Charles, are all that Michael Garcia & Co. could pull out of Mount Vernon after three-plus years of intensive investigation, with high public participation, then we have a sense something isn’t quite right about that investigation and the present prosecution.
After all, if what Dunne was eliciting from Reimer even remotely resembled the truth, why did it require 17 hours of rehearsal, with her, for Reimer to get his story straight at trial?
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
‘Gerrie’ Post And Wayne Charles Go To
Prosecutor-Predicted Four Week Trial
United States District Court, White Plains
Judge Kenneth M. Karas Presiding
The fraud case of former Mount Vernon Planning, and Housing Commissioner, Constance Post, 59, better known to her friends and people around
City Hall as ‘Gerrie’, and her reputed lover, Wayne Charles, a small-time real estate speculator and developer, finally got underway last Tuesday afternoon following a weather cancellation on Monday, and the need for District Court Judge Kenneth M. Karas to deal with three of the 16
jurors who had been seated the previous Friday.
The thrust of the Government’s case against the pair involves the alleged steering of some $2.3 million in loans and city contracts by Post to Charles over several years, for which lead Prosecutor Cynthia Dunne told the jury, in her opening statement, “The evidence will show that while Charles was riding high, he gave post $30,000.”
Assistant United States Attorney Dunne, who readers will recall is also the lead prosecutor in the Paul Cote case, told the jurors, “This case is about fraud, theft, and corruption,” explaining that it was Post’s calculated intention to wrongfully enrich Wayne Charles, 56, and ultimately enter into business with him. Attempting to tie the Defendants tightly together in a common scheme, Dunne declared, “It’s about two people who lied and cheated to enrich themselves with hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Dunne said, “The most important Defendant is Constance Post. Post, and her very close friend, took advantage of funds available. Post made it
a priority to see that Mr. Charles got city contracts.”
Labeling it, “A brief overview,’ Dunne launched into the history of the company known as Micros Only, previously owned and operated by an associate of Charles, named Dante Brown. She explained how Charles, without Brown’s knowledge, set up checking accounts in the name of Micros Only Computer Concepts, Inc., thereby establishing a vehicle and depository into which funds from the City of Mount Vernon, in payment for computer technology services, ostensibly performed by Micros Only, could be deposited and disbursed under the control of Wayne Charles. Dunne explained that Charles involved his sister in the setting up and servicing of the bank accounts, thereby avoiding recognition and identification
with the flow of funds. Dunne explained that Post went far beyond steering computer technology business to Charles’ fraudulent business, declaring,
“Post took additional steps. She used HUD funds which were meant for housing and recreational uses.”
She explained further, to the jurors, “The City Council had placed specific caps on how much could be paid to Micros. When $80,000 was authorized, she [Post], in fact, released $335,000.”
Dunne indicated that in the following year Post moved more than $600,000 to Wayne Charles’ businesses, and, that when the City tightened the reins, she saw to it that her close friend obtained “A $500,000 loan by fraud as “Charles falsely swore he had no other relationship with the City.”
Dunne then pointed out to the jury that Mr. Charles had only repaid half of the loan, and that was several years later. Dunne went on to explain that there was a garage security contract for which Charles received $700,000, “even though he had no employees.” She pointed to the figure on a projection screen, to the jury, of $2,356,083.77 as the Government’s calculated “total of the funds that post arranged to be paid to Charles.”
Dunne assured the jurors that there would be abundant proof, “the testimony of many witnesses, lots of records and charts, the Defendant’s [Constance Post] very own words at public meetings.”
She concluded, telling the jury, “It’s about improper secret dealings, misuse of federal money, private benefits to the Defendants, and the abuse of trust to steer $2.3 million to Charles.”
Dunne then made the very high-minded statement, “Our system of government depends upon the absolute integrity of public servants.” Her opening statement took 38 minutes.
Defense Attorney Andrew Rubin, representing Gerrie Post, opened his comments with, “You just heard a lot of awful bad things about Ms. Post. The Government doesn’t have any evidence of any crimes Ms. Post has committed, any crimes.”
To illustrate his point Rubin said, “Wick Security [a firm put together by Wayne Charles] was a closed bid and Ms. Post had nothing to do with it.”
Rubin went on, “The Government will not be able to prove that Gerrie Post defrauded the City of Mount Vernon out of property or out of her honest services.”
Having said that, he reminded the jury, “The standard is whether the Government proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt. There is no evidence of
a business relationship between Gerrie Post and Wayne Charles.”
He informed the jurors that Post had worked for Mount Vernon for 27 years, under Mayors Sharpe, Blackwood, and Davis. He did “admit”, however, that there had been some sloppy record keeping on his client’s watch. He then turned stern and declared, “The Government will not be able to prove that she knew of Wayne Charles’ ownership of Micros Only.”
Then turning to the $500,000 loan that Charles had received, Attorney Rubin said, “Thirty three building owners received grants. Eleven loans were given out, and four loans were lost. The City of Mount Vernon got the benefit of the bargain for what it paid.”
Attempting to put his client’s position in perspective, Rubin told the jurors, “She presented hundreds of proposals over a 15-year period. This case is based upon innuendo and speculation.” His remarks on behalf of Gerrie Post took all of 22 minutes.
Attorney Richard Levitt, speaking on behalf of Wayne Charles, immediately acknowledged that his client, “doesn’t dot every ‘i’ or cross every ‘t’.”
He quickly shifted his comments to his client’s project on Third Street, the building improvement for which he had reportedly borrowed the $500,000. He emphasized to the jurors, “The Third Street corridor was dirty and dangerous,” by way of putting his client into a favorable light for having attempted, and succeeded, in rehabilitating the small, multi-family dwelling at a rat-infested, filthy site.
Levitt told the jury of his client’s trips to China in 1997 and 1998, accompanied by Mayor Davis and Gerrie Post. He explained that it was during those trips that his client got to know Gerrie Post.
He attempted to clarify the charges against Charles: two frauds, the $500,000 loan, and the Micros Only contract, plus a charge of having made false statements to government agents when he was questioned.
Levitt concluded, telling the jurors, “This case is not about the Charles/Post relationship.” He assured them that his client “Didn’t intend to defraud, and did not conspire to deny Mount Vernon Ms. Post’s honest services.”
Analysis:
It would appear up-front that this case is going to be a typical Cynthia Dunne prosecution. By that I mean it is obvious, upon examining the three-count, 13-page indictment against Gerrie Post and Wayne Charles, given the Prosecution’s promise of 40 witnesses, that what will be brought
out will read like a badly redacted, cut-and-pasted soap opera, wherein a substantial cast of supporting actors will be covered up as the story line jumps from one scene to another, in a concerted effort to not reveal the actionable activities of co-conspirators-turned-Government-witnesses;
maybe even Ernie Davis, himself.
It is simply Attorney Dunne’s style to leave on the cutting room floor so much truth as is necessary to more convincingly project the confabulation she believes works best for her in terms of getting a conviction of those she chooses to destroy.
For example, in the Paul Cote case, the Prosecutor who just told this jury, “Our system of government depends upon the absolute integrity of public servants,” chose to prosecute the man she knew damned well was not responsible for inmate Zorn Teodorovic’s ultimate death by using the man, John Mark Reimer, who was responsible, as her key witness. ‘Where is public servant Cynthia Dunne’s integrity?’
After all, if what Dunne was eliciting from Reimer even remotely resembled the truth, why did it require 17 hours of rehearsal, with her, for Reimer to get his story straight at trial?
So much for the Prosecution’s case.
As for Defense strategy, it would appear that both Andy Rubin, for Post, and Richard Levitt, for Charles, hope to convince the jurors that what transpired between their clients, as well as between them and numerous so-called public servants in the City of Mount Vernon Municipal Administration for some eight years, until 2005, was so common around City Hall as to be hardly worthy of mention, much less federal
prosecution.
If, aside from a trash hauler with an established problem with the law, and a sanitation supervisor with whom he did business with the City, Gerrie Post and her boyfriend, Wayne Charles, are all that Michael Garcia & Co. could pull out of Mount Vernon after three-plus years of intensive investigation, with high public participation, then we have a sense something isn’t quite right about that investigation and the present prosecution.
After all, if what Dunne was eliciting from Reimer even remotely resembled the truth, why did it require 17 hours of rehearsal, with her, for Reimer to get his story straight at trial?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Westchester Guardian/The Court ReportCity of Mount VernonJanet Difiore/Sam Zherka/Clinton Young.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Mayor Clinton Young: “I Think Chong
Is Doing Janet DiFiore’s Dirty Work”
Analysis:
DA Janet DiFiore’s First Amendment retaliatory abuse of her Office was vindictive and obvious. She apparently will stop at nothing in her misguided abuse of process against publisher Sam Zherka in retalitation for The Guardian’s exercise of Freedom Of The Press.
This is the same District Attorney who continues to prosecute the innocent victims of Yonkers Police brutality while covering up the rogue cops
involved; the same DA who demands the firing of veteran, dedicated cops who question her judgment; and, the same DA who prosecutes innocent
police officers without a shred of evidence.
The Mount Vernon incident clearly illustrates the contaminating influence a misguided district attorney, the likes of Janet DiFiore, will have on
the conduct of other public officials, particularly police, who are only too well aware of the damage she can do to them, and their careers, should
they refuse to “kiss her ring”. Notoriously dishonest, her stubbornness and stupidity render her a menace to public safety.
For more on this story, Link To: http://www.westchesterguardianonline.com/
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Mayor Clinton Young: “I Think Chong
Is Doing Janet DiFiore’s Dirty Work”
Analysis:
DA Janet DiFiore’s First Amendment retaliatory abuse of her Office was vindictive and obvious. She apparently will stop at nothing in her misguided abuse of process against publisher Sam Zherka in retalitation for The Guardian’s exercise of Freedom Of The Press.
This is the same District Attorney who continues to prosecute the innocent victims of Yonkers Police brutality while covering up the rogue cops
involved; the same DA who demands the firing of veteran, dedicated cops who question her judgment; and, the same DA who prosecutes innocent
police officers without a shred of evidence.
The Mount Vernon incident clearly illustrates the contaminating influence a misguided district attorney, the likes of Janet DiFiore, will have on
the conduct of other public officials, particularly police, who are only too well aware of the damage she can do to them, and their careers, should
they refuse to “kiss her ring”. Notoriously dishonest, her stubbornness and stupidity render her a menace to public safety.
For more on this story, Link To: http://www.westchesterguardianonline.com/
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Westchester Guardian/Sam Zherka.
More Court Report
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Guardian Publisher Greeted With Racial Tirade
By Mount Vernon Mayoral Chief Of Staff
Brings Suit In Federal Court Regarding Bizarre Racial Attack
Last Monday, November 10th, Attorney Jonathan Lovett, representing Guardian publisher Sam Zherka, went to United States District
Court, White Plains, to file and commence an action against Yolanda Robinson, Chief of Staff to Mount Vernon City Mayor Clinton Young,
Jane Morris, Shield No. 2057, Mount Vernon Police Officer, Police Commissioner of Mount Vernon, David Chong, 15 “John Doe” Mount Vernon
Police Officers, Terence “Roe”, and the City of Mount Vernon.
The following day, Mr. Zherka, accompanied by Attorney Lovett, and 15 supporters, held a press conference on the plaza in front of
Mount Vernon City Hall. Attorney Lovett explained to reporters why it was necessary to bring the action, below, partially reprinted, in Federal
Court for the purpose of discouraging government officials, for any reason, from behaving as the Defendants had toward Mr. Zherka, ethnically
and racially profiling him, displaying bigotry and profanity, and unlawfully barring him from a public function in a public building, all in violation of his First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment Rights under the Constitution of the United States, 42U.S.C. Section 1983.
Publisher Zherka told reporters present that he was calling upon Mayor Clinton Young not to indemnify the individuals named as defendants, as he did not wish the taxpayers of Mount Vernon to be stuck with picking up the tab for Robinson’s, Chong’s, and Morris’, unlawful, bigoted behavior.
The suit seeks $100 million in punitive damages and an equal sum in compensatory damages, a total of $200 million. Zherka promised reporters
that he would be tracing the Defendants’ connections to DA Janet DiFiore given her numerous attempts to harass him and damage his reputation and business enterprises.
Interviewed at her offices in Mount Vernon City Hall last Thursday, City Comptroller Maureen Walker, who has been overseeing the City’s finances for the last 14 years, expressed dismay over Chief of Staff Yolanda Robinson’s outrageous racial attack upon Zherka, making it clear that she was not present at the time of the altercation, having left the auction of tax liened City properties a few minutes before Mr. Zherka’s arrival. Walker assured The Guardian that she had no placed no entry restrictions on Zherka or anyone else.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Guardian Publisher Greeted With Racial Tirade
By Mount Vernon Mayoral Chief Of Staff
Brings Suit In Federal Court Regarding Bizarre Racial Attack
Last Monday, November 10th, Attorney Jonathan Lovett, representing Guardian publisher Sam Zherka, went to United States District
Court, White Plains, to file and commence an action against Yolanda Robinson, Chief of Staff to Mount Vernon City Mayor Clinton Young,
Jane Morris, Shield No. 2057, Mount Vernon Police Officer, Police Commissioner of Mount Vernon, David Chong, 15 “John Doe” Mount Vernon
Police Officers, Terence “Roe”, and the City of Mount Vernon.
The following day, Mr. Zherka, accompanied by Attorney Lovett, and 15 supporters, held a press conference on the plaza in front of
Mount Vernon City Hall. Attorney Lovett explained to reporters why it was necessary to bring the action, below, partially reprinted, in Federal
Court for the purpose of discouraging government officials, for any reason, from behaving as the Defendants had toward Mr. Zherka, ethnically
and racially profiling him, displaying bigotry and profanity, and unlawfully barring him from a public function in a public building, all in violation of his First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment Rights under the Constitution of the United States, 42U.S.C. Section 1983.
Publisher Zherka told reporters present that he was calling upon Mayor Clinton Young not to indemnify the individuals named as defendants, as he did not wish the taxpayers of Mount Vernon to be stuck with picking up the tab for Robinson’s, Chong’s, and Morris’, unlawful, bigoted behavior.
The suit seeks $100 million in punitive damages and an equal sum in compensatory damages, a total of $200 million. Zherka promised reporters
that he would be tracing the Defendants’ connections to DA Janet DiFiore given her numerous attempts to harass him and damage his reputation and business enterprises.
Interviewed at her offices in Mount Vernon City Hall last Thursday, City Comptroller Maureen Walker, who has been overseeing the City’s finances for the last 14 years, expressed dismay over Chief of Staff Yolanda Robinson’s outrageous racial attack upon Zherka, making it clear that she was not present at the time of the altercation, having left the auction of tax liened City properties a few minutes before Mr. Zherka’s arrival. Walker assured The Guardian that she had no placed no entry restrictions on Zherka or anyone else.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Westchester Guardian/David Chong/City of Mount Vernon.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Guardian Speaks With Mount Vernon
Police Commissioner David Chong
In light of the spate of violent street crime, shootings and stabbings, over recent months on the South Side of the City of Mount Vernon, we asked to meet with Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Chong to discuss current policing concerns and to get his take on problems and solutions. We posed the question, “The City, for its size, 4.4 square miles, would seem to present a management problem with respect to street violence and killings. What is particularly unique about the City, from a policing perspective?”
Commissioner Chong quickly said, “We have more youth per capita than anybody else. We are eighty thousand-plus people on top of each
other, and with economic conditions what they are right now, I see an ever-rapidly-increasing number of youngsters on the streets.” To emphasize his point, Chong said, “No good can occur when young people are on the street between 1am and 5am.” He went on to point out the fact that, under New York State law, police cannot treat groups of young people, milling about on the street, as they might treat adults; they cannot be charged with violations such as Disorderly Conduct in cases of street gatherings and disorder.
He went on, “We are dealing with lots of social and economic issues outside the scope of police authority. If they cannot be apprehended
for gathering on the streets, where do I put them?”
We then asked, “Since most of the killings seem to involve young Black men, is it a gang turf conflict; Bloods v. Crypts thing, or have the
knifings and shootings been unrelated, independent incidents?”
Chong responded, “It’s a little bit of each. Unfortunately, among today’s youth, guns are a fashion statement.” Changing gears slightly, he said, “Young people are not turning in their guns.” The Commissioner was referring to the dismal results achieved by so-called gun-buyback programs run by the County, and some Westchester municipalities, including Mount Vernon.
Focusing more on recent developments, we asked, “How has placement of your Mobile Command Unit aided specifically on the South
Side?” Chong confided, “Basically it gives the people a sense of security and closeness to the police because it is so large and so visible.” He added, “Our mounted patrols tend to be noticed as well.”
Then, pausing momentarily, he explained, “We want to stabilize the community and, at the same time, send a message to those who would continue to cause problems that we are out there, and we will apprehend them.”
He went on, “The message is, ‘If you commit a crime of violence in the City of Mount Vernon, you will be brought to justice.’” The Guardian then turned to specific serious concerns that demand long-term planning and persistent attention, asking, “What is your fundamental strategy for controlling gun traffic into the City, as well as drugs? How are you interdicting them?”
The Commissioner smiled, and said, “Without being too specific, let me say our message, in this regard, is, ‘If you are caught with a gun or felony drugs, you will be sent away for a long time.’”
Reflecting for a moment, he added, “Guns have no conscience, and there is no recovery. Also, guns kill twice; the victim and the shooter.
Our young people, over the smallest disrespect, come too quickly to horrendous violence. They possess no skills in conflict resolution.”
We then observed, “Many urban youths behave as though they can squander their future,” to which Chong responded, “There is a common
urban experience that we are seeing in cities across the state and the country. Kids today are living their future. Please understand it gives me no pleasure to put felony records on these young people. What some of them do today forecloses their options for the rest of their lives.”
Guardian publisher Sam Zherka had passed along a question for Police Commissioner Chong: “Would a large-scale program, perhaps funded by the federal and/or state government, that would place street-monitoring cameras in high-crime areas make a significant difference?”
The Commissioner responded, with a resounding “Yes! Tell Sam it’s a great idea.” He then explained, “With the latest ShotSpotter Technology, six units, strategically mounted, would be great.”
ShotSpotter is a network of noise sensors that responds to gunfire, identifying and pinpointing the source and location, guiding police
on patrol to the crime scene quickly enough to more effectively deal with victims and shooters alike. Presently in use in Washington, D.C.,
the sensors are about the size of a coffee can, easily hidden atop buildings.
It can identify gun-fire as far as two miles away and pinpoint the location within a few feet. The Commissioner explained that six such units, and all of the patrol car and base equipment connected with them, might cost about $1 million and would be an excellent project for a federal grant. He indicated that, once up and operating, ShotSpotter would become a “great deterrent to gun-related violence.”
Turning in a different direction, The Guardian asked, “Does your Department sponsor a P.A.L. program?” The Commissioner’s answer was, “It doesn’t exist now, but I would like funding to do it.” He acknowledged that part of the problem is that such a program would
also require a lot of volunteer personnel, something in short supply these days.
Commissioner Chong, who came on board to lead the present 207-member Mount Vernon Police Force, in May of 2006, explained that he had committed himself, at the time, to four principle goals:
• Reduction of crime;
• Bringing back police department morale;
• Professionalizing and modernizing operations;
• Community outreach.
Chong indicated that he felt the Department has made significant progress in each of those areas, but that there is still much to be done. David Chong is clearly a man with a mission. Coming along on the heels of several rapidly-failed predecessors, he has already achieved numerous
significant departmental innovations and improvements while elevating the morale of the Department in little more than two years.
Most significantly, he is a Commissioner who was a real cop, one who believes in Constitutionally-sound law enforcement. Chong’s appointment by Ernie Davis, we suppose, proves Ernie wasn’t all bad. Most importantly, in Mount Vernon, a City hanging in through difficult times, Commissioner Chong just doesn’t talk the talk; he walks the walk as well. He is there at every major crime scene, every event,
hands-on and thoughtful. And, he likes nothing better than walking the beat, meeting and speaking with older and young folks alike; showing respect and earning it.
The Guardian Speaks With Mount Vernon
Police Commissioner David Chong
In light of the spate of violent street crime, shootings and stabbings, over recent months on the South Side of the City of Mount Vernon, we asked to meet with Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Chong to discuss current policing concerns and to get his take on problems and solutions. We posed the question, “The City, for its size, 4.4 square miles, would seem to present a management problem with respect to street violence and killings. What is particularly unique about the City, from a policing perspective?”
Commissioner Chong quickly said, “We have more youth per capita than anybody else. We are eighty thousand-plus people on top of each
other, and with economic conditions what they are right now, I see an ever-rapidly-increasing number of youngsters on the streets.” To emphasize his point, Chong said, “No good can occur when young people are on the street between 1am and 5am.” He went on to point out the fact that, under New York State law, police cannot treat groups of young people, milling about on the street, as they might treat adults; they cannot be charged with violations such as Disorderly Conduct in cases of street gatherings and disorder.
He went on, “We are dealing with lots of social and economic issues outside the scope of police authority. If they cannot be apprehended
for gathering on the streets, where do I put them?”
We then asked, “Since most of the killings seem to involve young Black men, is it a gang turf conflict; Bloods v. Crypts thing, or have the
knifings and shootings been unrelated, independent incidents?”
Chong responded, “It’s a little bit of each. Unfortunately, among today’s youth, guns are a fashion statement.” Changing gears slightly, he said, “Young people are not turning in their guns.” The Commissioner was referring to the dismal results achieved by so-called gun-buyback programs run by the County, and some Westchester municipalities, including Mount Vernon.
Focusing more on recent developments, we asked, “How has placement of your Mobile Command Unit aided specifically on the South
Side?” Chong confided, “Basically it gives the people a sense of security and closeness to the police because it is so large and so visible.” He added, “Our mounted patrols tend to be noticed as well.”
Then, pausing momentarily, he explained, “We want to stabilize the community and, at the same time, send a message to those who would continue to cause problems that we are out there, and we will apprehend them.”
He went on, “The message is, ‘If you commit a crime of violence in the City of Mount Vernon, you will be brought to justice.’” The Guardian then turned to specific serious concerns that demand long-term planning and persistent attention, asking, “What is your fundamental strategy for controlling gun traffic into the City, as well as drugs? How are you interdicting them?”
The Commissioner smiled, and said, “Without being too specific, let me say our message, in this regard, is, ‘If you are caught with a gun or felony drugs, you will be sent away for a long time.’”
Reflecting for a moment, he added, “Guns have no conscience, and there is no recovery. Also, guns kill twice; the victim and the shooter.
Our young people, over the smallest disrespect, come too quickly to horrendous violence. They possess no skills in conflict resolution.”
We then observed, “Many urban youths behave as though they can squander their future,” to which Chong responded, “There is a common
urban experience that we are seeing in cities across the state and the country. Kids today are living their future. Please understand it gives me no pleasure to put felony records on these young people. What some of them do today forecloses their options for the rest of their lives.”
Guardian publisher Sam Zherka had passed along a question for Police Commissioner Chong: “Would a large-scale program, perhaps funded by the federal and/or state government, that would place street-monitoring cameras in high-crime areas make a significant difference?”
The Commissioner responded, with a resounding “Yes! Tell Sam it’s a great idea.” He then explained, “With the latest ShotSpotter Technology, six units, strategically mounted, would be great.”
ShotSpotter is a network of noise sensors that responds to gunfire, identifying and pinpointing the source and location, guiding police
on patrol to the crime scene quickly enough to more effectively deal with victims and shooters alike. Presently in use in Washington, D.C.,
the sensors are about the size of a coffee can, easily hidden atop buildings.
It can identify gun-fire as far as two miles away and pinpoint the location within a few feet. The Commissioner explained that six such units, and all of the patrol car and base equipment connected with them, might cost about $1 million and would be an excellent project for a federal grant. He indicated that, once up and operating, ShotSpotter would become a “great deterrent to gun-related violence.”
Turning in a different direction, The Guardian asked, “Does your Department sponsor a P.A.L. program?” The Commissioner’s answer was, “It doesn’t exist now, but I would like funding to do it.” He acknowledged that part of the problem is that such a program would
also require a lot of volunteer personnel, something in short supply these days.
Commissioner Chong, who came on board to lead the present 207-member Mount Vernon Police Force, in May of 2006, explained that he had committed himself, at the time, to four principle goals:
• Reduction of crime;
• Bringing back police department morale;
• Professionalizing and modernizing operations;
• Community outreach.
Chong indicated that he felt the Department has made significant progress in each of those areas, but that there is still much to be done. David Chong is clearly a man with a mission. Coming along on the heels of several rapidly-failed predecessors, he has already achieved numerous
significant departmental innovations and improvements while elevating the morale of the Department in little more than two years.
Most significantly, he is a Commissioner who was a real cop, one who believes in Constitutionally-sound law enforcement. Chong’s appointment by Ernie Davis, we suppose, proves Ernie wasn’t all bad. Most importantly, in Mount Vernon, a City hanging in through difficult times, Commissioner Chong just doesn’t talk the talk; he walks the walk as well. He is there at every major crime scene, every event,
hands-on and thoughtful. And, he likes nothing better than walking the beat, meeting and speaking with older and young folks alike; showing respect and earning it.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Westchester Guardian/Mount Vernon.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Retired Mount Vernon Official Pleads Guilty In U.S.
Court To Accepting Bribes From Waste Haulers
MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMES CASTALDO, a former high-ranking supervisor for the City of Mount Vernon Department of Public Works, pleaded guilty today to accepting bribes from waste haulers in return for allowing them to overbill the City of Mount Vernon by at least $1.25 million for the removal of debris from a municipal storage yard.
CASTALDO pleaded guilty before United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS in White Plains federal court a two count criminal Information (the “Information”) charging bribery and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. An Indictment against waste haulers involved in the scheme was unsealed on March 19, 2008 (the “Indictment”).
According to the Information, the Indictment and the criminal Complaint against CASTALDO unsealed on April 1, 2008, a Westchester
waste-hauling company, A & D Carting, obtained a contract with the City of Mount Vernon in November 2001 to remove waste
from a City storage yard at a price of $397 per 30-cubic yard container removed. To bill the City of Mount Vernon under the contract, A & D Carting was required to submit invoices identifying how many 30 - cubic - yard containers were removed on particular dates, together with a pre-printed receipt form (which is commonly referred to as a “ticket”) for the removal of each container.
The tickets were supposed to be signed by a City of Mount Vernon employee at the yard at the time each container was carted away. From 2002 through March 2006, Albert Tranquillo III, who controlled and operated A & D Carting, defrauded the City of Mount Vernon by submitting tickets and invoices claiming that far more waste had been carted away from the yard than had actually been removed, it was charged. According to the Information and Complaint, CASTALDO and another DPW employee who worked at the Mount Vernon
storage yard agreed that the employee would initial as many tickets as A& D Carting drivers gave to him. These tickets falsely represented
that A & D Carting had carted away far more debris from the Mount Vernon storage yard than had actually been removed. These extra tickets were then mailed to the City of Mount Vernon together with invoices which significantly overstated the amount of waste removed.
As a result, the City of Mount Vernon is alleged to have been defrauded of at least $1.25million.
CASTALDO, who retired in 2005, accepted bribes from A & D Carting as part of the scheme to overbill the City of Mount Vernon. When
A & D Carting received checks from Mount Vernon, CASTALDO would call A & D Carting and, using code, request a payment from Tranquillo or his relative. CASTALDO, the Complaint alleges, paid a portion of the bribes he received to the DPW employee who initialed the fraudulent tickets.
CASTALDO, age 61, admitted to Judge KARAS this morning that he had taken bribes from the waste haulers and that he had conspired
with them to defraud the City of Mount Vernon. CASTALDO faces a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment as well as financial penalties, including restitution to the City of Mount Vernon. CASTALDO is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2008, at 12 noon.
Mr. GARCIA praised the investigative work of the FBI and stated that the investigation is ongoing. Assistant United States Attorney
ARLO DEVLIN-BROWN is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment against the waste haulers are merely accusations, and those defendants are presumed innocent
unless and until proven guilty.
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Retired Mount Vernon Official Pleads Guilty In U.S.
Court To Accepting Bribes From Waste Haulers
MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMES CASTALDO, a former high-ranking supervisor for the City of Mount Vernon Department of Public Works, pleaded guilty today to accepting bribes from waste haulers in return for allowing them to overbill the City of Mount Vernon by at least $1.25 million for the removal of debris from a municipal storage yard.
CASTALDO pleaded guilty before United States District Judge KENNETH M. KARAS in White Plains federal court a two count criminal Information (the “Information”) charging bribery and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. An Indictment against waste haulers involved in the scheme was unsealed on March 19, 2008 (the “Indictment”).
According to the Information, the Indictment and the criminal Complaint against CASTALDO unsealed on April 1, 2008, a Westchester
waste-hauling company, A & D Carting, obtained a contract with the City of Mount Vernon in November 2001 to remove waste
from a City storage yard at a price of $397 per 30-cubic yard container removed. To bill the City of Mount Vernon under the contract, A & D Carting was required to submit invoices identifying how many 30 - cubic - yard containers were removed on particular dates, together with a pre-printed receipt form (which is commonly referred to as a “ticket”) for the removal of each container.
The tickets were supposed to be signed by a City of Mount Vernon employee at the yard at the time each container was carted away. From 2002 through March 2006, Albert Tranquillo III, who controlled and operated A & D Carting, defrauded the City of Mount Vernon by submitting tickets and invoices claiming that far more waste had been carted away from the yard than had actually been removed, it was charged. According to the Information and Complaint, CASTALDO and another DPW employee who worked at the Mount Vernon
storage yard agreed that the employee would initial as many tickets as A& D Carting drivers gave to him. These tickets falsely represented
that A & D Carting had carted away far more debris from the Mount Vernon storage yard than had actually been removed. These extra tickets were then mailed to the City of Mount Vernon together with invoices which significantly overstated the amount of waste removed.
As a result, the City of Mount Vernon is alleged to have been defrauded of at least $1.25million.
CASTALDO, who retired in 2005, accepted bribes from A & D Carting as part of the scheme to overbill the City of Mount Vernon. When
A & D Carting received checks from Mount Vernon, CASTALDO would call A & D Carting and, using code, request a payment from Tranquillo or his relative. CASTALDO, the Complaint alleges, paid a portion of the bribes he received to the DPW employee who initialed the fraudulent tickets.
CASTALDO, age 61, admitted to Judge KARAS this morning that he had taken bribes from the waste haulers and that he had conspired
with them to defraud the City of Mount Vernon. CASTALDO faces a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment as well as financial penalties, including restitution to the City of Mount Vernon. CASTALDO is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2008, at 12 noon.
Mr. GARCIA praised the investigative work of the FBI and stated that the investigation is ongoing. Assistant United States Attorney
ARLO DEVLIN-BROWN is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment against the waste haulers are merely accusations, and those defendants are presumed innocent
unless and until proven guilty.
Analysis:
The guilty plea offered by James Castaldo, former high-ranking Supervisor in the Mount Vernon Department of Public Works, in United
States District Court, White Plains, last Wednesday, July 16, is very likely the first of several from former Mount Vernon officials that will be witnessed over the next several months. Gerrie Post, Mount Vernon’s former Planning Commissioner, and Wayne Charles, real estate developer, each under federal indictment since March in connection with the steering of City contracts and the questionable handling of a
loan and the purchase of properties, may very well soon follow suit.
In announcing Castaldo’s guilty plea, the United States Attorney’s Of-fice was careful to indicate that their investigation was “ongoing”, a sure signal that more indictments and arrests can be expected. Of course, the carting industry has been a fertile field for investigation by both state and federal prosecutors for decades; with numerous companies owned and operated by individuals with connections to organized
crime, whose activities are most often interstate, involving landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities in New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as New York.
With regard to the carting industry in the tri-state region, given the federal government’s recent investigations and prosecutions in Putnam County and Fairfield County, as well as New Jersey, it is somewhat surprising that the United States Attorney’s interest in trash-hauling activities in Westchester has thus far been limited to the City of Mount Vernon. Given some of the more outrageous activity by Westchester
County Government, involving a Connecticut hauler that New York City had specifically declined to do business with because of its alleged mob connections, one would think the U.S. Attorney’s Office would have broadened the scope of its investigation. Approximately three or four years ago the County Executive’s Office intentionally failed to renew an existing five-year, $70 million contract with a company Commissioner Landi admitted had been doing a good job, to instead sign a contract for $87 million, for the same services, over the same
five-year term, with the very company the City of New York refused to do business with. When asked why he allowed the existing contract, for $17 million less, to expire without exercising the five year renewable option “given the choreographed nature of the industry”, Landi responded, “We wanted to test the waters.”
Looking back at that County Legislature Committee On Solid Waste meeting, chaired by Tom Abinanti, and the control, one legislator at a time, exerted by Larry Schwartz, standing in the doorway to the meeting room, and summoning them out into the hallway and lobbying them to approve the ripoff of County taxpayers, the whole affair very much resembled the Ardsley Partners ‘white elephant’ shoved down taxpayers’ throats two weeks ago.
However, with respect to the City of Mount Vernon, two thoughts come immediately to mind: Firstly, anyone familiar with the prior administration knows that nothing ever went on under Ernie Davis that he didn’t have a hand in. Given that fact, one can only assume that
those boxes carried out of City Hall by FBI agents last fall; an action that was heavily criticized by Ernie’s cronies as “politically motivated”, may soon yield justification.
Secondly, what about our District Attorney, the one who goes around telling everybody that she’s from Mount Vernon? How could all of this corruption have been going on, right under her nose, in her home town, no less, and she knows nothing, and does nothing, about it.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Clinton Young Declares: “It’s Time For A Change” Outlines ‘Mount Vernon First’ Comprehensive Plan of Action
Promising a direct line to the Mayor, and monthly meetings between the public and all City commissioners, Clinton Young, candidate for Mayor of Mount Vernon, also promised a guaranteed response to all inquiries within 24 hours.
Recognizing the stagnant state of the City’s economy, Young proposed the immediate development of a Master Plan, coupled with the establishment of an Economic Development Office for the purpose of promoting existing businesses and attracting new ones. He declared, “Our young people must be able to find employment opportunities within their own City.”
Speaking further about the City’s youth, he proposed the establishment of a Youth Services Commission, whose goals and objectives would include the expansion of educational and recreational opportunities, training programs, and the cultivation of employment opportunities. He indicated that the need to bring about safe streets and safety in Mount Vernon schools are amongst his highest priorities.
Young declared that he can no longer remain silent in the face of the abuse of power and total disregard for the Democratic process. He suggested that from his vantage point as a County Legislator for the past 12 years he is uniquely quali-fied to assess the decline Mount Vernon has experienced under the Ernie Davis administration. He indicated that he views election to the Mayor’s Office as an opportunity to bring about positive change in the way the City is governed.
What Needs To Be Changed
• We must immediately cease the practice of tax abatement whereby business is attracted to Mount Vernon in exchange for inequitable tax relief which benefits the businesses and provides only token financial benefit to the city.
• The sporadic and inconsistent delivery of services. It is unacceptable that trash remains uncollected and snowremains on Mount Vernon streets creating infestations of rats and hazardous driving conditions while Mayor Davis boasts of a budget surplus.
• Denying the people of this City their Constitutional right to participatein open forum, provide comment andexercise their right to due process wherethey deem it appropriate prior to theestablishment and/or implementationof policies which will affect them, their families and their neighbors.
How Mayor Young Will Change It
• As Mayor, Clinton Young will establish a fair and consistent policy for commercial development. his policy
will benefit Mount Vernonites and at a minimum be required to demonstrate compatibility with the long-term growth of the Mount Vernon Community.
• As Mayor, Clinton Young will provide the expertise necessary for effective planning which will insure timely and consistent delivery of services. The future course of action for Mount Vernon will be determined only after the complex relationship between resources and objectives is carefully examined.
• As Mayor, Clinton Young’s administration is committed to the legal and open process which is already a part of our City Charter but which has been alternately adhered to and disregarded at the sole discretion of Mayor Ernest D. Davis. the process for the awarding of city contracts and all city business will be conducted in the strictest compliance with existing laws, and all contracts found to have been issued in violation of established
policy will be nullified and put out for rebid.
.
Promising a direct line to the Mayor, and monthly meetings between the public and all City commissioners, Clinton Young, candidate for Mayor of Mount Vernon, also promised a guaranteed response to all inquiries within 24 hours.
Recognizing the stagnant state of the City’s economy, Young proposed the immediate development of a Master Plan, coupled with the establishment of an Economic Development Office for the purpose of promoting existing businesses and attracting new ones. He declared, “Our young people must be able to find employment opportunities within their own City.”
Speaking further about the City’s youth, he proposed the establishment of a Youth Services Commission, whose goals and objectives would include the expansion of educational and recreational opportunities, training programs, and the cultivation of employment opportunities. He indicated that the need to bring about safe streets and safety in Mount Vernon schools are amongst his highest priorities.
Young declared that he can no longer remain silent in the face of the abuse of power and total disregard for the Democratic process. He suggested that from his vantage point as a County Legislator for the past 12 years he is uniquely quali-fied to assess the decline Mount Vernon has experienced under the Ernie Davis administration. He indicated that he views election to the Mayor’s Office as an opportunity to bring about positive change in the way the City is governed.
What Needs To Be Changed
• We must immediately cease the practice of tax abatement whereby business is attracted to Mount Vernon in exchange for inequitable tax relief which benefits the businesses and provides only token financial benefit to the city.
• The sporadic and inconsistent delivery of services. It is unacceptable that trash remains uncollected and snowremains on Mount Vernon streets creating infestations of rats and hazardous driving conditions while Mayor Davis boasts of a budget surplus.
• Denying the people of this City their Constitutional right to participatein open forum, provide comment andexercise their right to due process wherethey deem it appropriate prior to theestablishment and/or implementationof policies which will affect them, their families and their neighbors.
How Mayor Young Will Change It
• As Mayor, Clinton Young will establish a fair and consistent policy for commercial development. his policy
will benefit Mount Vernonites and at a minimum be required to demonstrate compatibility with the long-term growth of the Mount Vernon Community.
• As Mayor, Clinton Young will provide the expertise necessary for effective planning which will insure timely and consistent delivery of services. The future course of action for Mount Vernon will be determined only after the complex relationship between resources and objectives is carefully examined.
• As Mayor, Clinton Young’s administration is committed to the legal and open process which is already a part of our City Charter but which has been alternately adhered to and disregarded at the sole discretion of Mayor Ernest D. Davis. the process for the awarding of city contracts and all city business will be conducted in the strictest compliance with existing laws, and all contracts found to have been issued in violation of established
policy will be nullified and put out for rebid.
.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Mount Vernon Police Announce Two Arrests In Reginald Rogers Killing
In morning press conferences, held last Monday and Tuesday in the Mayor’s conference room, the arrests of Robert Lewis 18, of 425 North Terrace Avenue, Mt. Vernon, on Saturday evening May 19th, and Enric Devers 17, of 347 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, Monday evening, May 21st, each charged with Second Degree Murder, in the killing April 28th of Reginald Rogers 20, outside his home on East Fourth Street, Mt. Vernon, were announced.
At Monday’s press conference Mayor Ernest Davis acknowledged, “There have been four homicides since the
first of the year.” Declaring, “ This is a sad day, but a good day in many respects,” the Mayor went on to say, “I want to congratulate Police Commissioner Chong and his dedicated staff, his patrol officers, and detectives,
for their excellent work.
Stepping up to the podium, Commissioner Chong told the media and City officials assembled, “I want to thank the community for calling us with tips.”
He went on to state, “We believe it was nothing more than male bravado, gang nonsense; we’ve arrested
one person and the investigation is still ongoing.”
He then fielded questions. The Guardian inquired, “Has ballistics testing revealed that the semi-automatic .380 found on Robert Lewis at the time of his arrest was the only weapon involved, or might there have been others?”
The Commissioner turned the microphone over to Commander of Detectives Angelo Fusillo, at his side, who responded, “There was more than one weapon involved.”
Tuesday morning, following the overnight arrest of Devers, Commissioner Chong told The Guardian, “With this second arrest the investigation is completed. There were no other individuals who fired shots at Reginald
Rogers.” He further informed us, like Lewis, Devers also had a Davis Industries .380 semi-automatic.
If brought to trial, and convicted of Second Degree Murder, each youth will face up to 25-Years-to-Life in prison.
In morning press conferences, held last Monday and Tuesday in the Mayor’s conference room, the arrests of Robert Lewis 18, of 425 North Terrace Avenue, Mt. Vernon, on Saturday evening May 19th, and Enric Devers 17, of 347 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, Monday evening, May 21st, each charged with Second Degree Murder, in the killing April 28th of Reginald Rogers 20, outside his home on East Fourth Street, Mt. Vernon, were announced.
At Monday’s press conference Mayor Ernest Davis acknowledged, “There have been four homicides since the
first of the year.” Declaring, “ This is a sad day, but a good day in many respects,” the Mayor went on to say, “I want to congratulate Police Commissioner Chong and his dedicated staff, his patrol officers, and detectives,
for their excellent work.
Stepping up to the podium, Commissioner Chong told the media and City officials assembled, “I want to thank the community for calling us with tips.”
He went on to state, “We believe it was nothing more than male bravado, gang nonsense; we’ve arrested
one person and the investigation is still ongoing.”
He then fielded questions. The Guardian inquired, “Has ballistics testing revealed that the semi-automatic .380 found on Robert Lewis at the time of his arrest was the only weapon involved, or might there have been others?”
The Commissioner turned the microphone over to Commander of Detectives Angelo Fusillo, at his side, who responded, “There was more than one weapon involved.”
Tuesday morning, following the overnight arrest of Devers, Commissioner Chong told The Guardian, “With this second arrest the investigation is completed. There were no other individuals who fired shots at Reginald
Rogers.” He further informed us, like Lewis, Devers also had a Davis Industries .380 semi-automatic.
If brought to trial, and convicted of Second Degree Murder, each youth will face up to 25-Years-to-Life in prison.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Youthful Violence Taking Over Mt. Vernon? Police Commissioner Brings Remedies; Mayor Only Laments Image.
By Vicki Mayfield and Richard Blassberg
Following a spate of violence, by youthful offenders, that resulted in two deaths by gunshot, critical injury to two others, and an assault against a Mount Vernon Police Officer at the high school the previous week, last Monday,
The Westchester Guardian was on assignment in that City hoping to interview high school students and other Mount Vernon youths in an effort to possibly uncover the underlying causes.
It had been our plan to interview students as they were dismissed shortly before 3pm as they walked home, stopping them at points a few blocks from the high school campus on California Road. However, just before 1 pm we received a call from a source within the school informing us that there was a “bomb scare” in progress, and that students were being dismissed early.
In no particular rush, not wishing to encounter crowds pouring off the campus, we waited for more than half an hour and drove into the neighborhood of the high school, arriving about 1:45, to discover small groups of students leisurely walking home. As we pulled to the curb about three blocks from the campus, calling
out to a cluster of three students, a car came rushing up the street, and positioning himself between us and the students, the school security staffer driving yelled out to them not to talk to anyone. He then drove off, ultimately circling back towards the school. Undeterred, we parked, got out and began to interview the next group
coming up the street. As we stood on the sidewalk speaking with a group of three girls and two boys, all ninth-graders, a large Suburban-type vehicle pulled up on the street, the driver, another school security guard, questioning what was going on. Upon our showing of press credentials, he nodded and drove off.
Asked why they had gotten out two hours early the kids told us there had been a “fire drill.” They agreed to speak with us on condition of anonymity, insisting “no pictures.” One of the girls said, “I feel safe on the bus, but not in school.” To which one of the boys responded, “Kids bring drugs and weapons through the side doors.” He
went on, “Some of the new security guards go too easy on kids they know. There should be better security checks.” Another girl backed that statement up suggesting, “They should bring in dogs to sniff out the lockers. Our parents are worried about our security.”
We next interviewed two eleventh-grade girls, friends who lived in the neighborhood near the high school. They, too, did not wish to be identified. One of the girls told us that she wanted to become a doctor, and that her mother was so concerned about her safety that she is considering sending her to a private school to finish high school. Her friend complained. “ There’s nothing for kids to do after school. We just go home and do computer.”The first girl then added, “Nobody is happy about the uniforms they want us to wear next year.”
When asked why they had gotten out early the girls also said it was a fire drill. Following our interviews we drove down toward the high school about 2:15 to discover about six police cars parked off-campus on both sides of California Road with an equal number of officers standing and watching small groups of students streaming away from the school. There wasn’t any apparent urgency, and police appeared to be maintaining as low a profile as possible under the circumstances.
Leaving the high school we went to East Fourth Street and Union Avenue, where a memorial to Reginald Reynolds, the twenty-year-old who had been gunned down by three shooters, at close range, the previous Wednesday, the 25th, had been set up. There we encountered a number of adults and young children
lingering for several minutes at the site.
Police Commissioner David Chong, interviewed on Wednesday, May 2nd, candidly revealed that his department had received word that there might be some kind of disturbance on campus Monday, and that they wanted to be prepared just in case.
Chong declared, “The kids are not dumb. They generated their own hysteria with text messaging and phone calls, that scared some good kids and parents.”
Turning more serious he told The Guardian, “What we need to do is stop the kids from killing each other.” Asked just what he had in mind the Commissioner responded, “We cannot arrest our way out of this culture.” He went on, “We intend to immediately institute more high visibility police patrols, especially in certain areas.
Those who are looking for trouble, if they come out in Mount Vernon there’s a good chance they are going to cross the path of a uniformed police officer.” He went on, “If we catch them with a gun they will face 3-1/2 years minimum with 2-1/2 years post-prison supervision, no exceptions. They better leave the gun at home.”
Asked how he intended to implement control over the flow of guns and drugs into his city, Chong responded, “We will be employing a Mobile Command Center capable of deployment anywhere in the City on a moment’s notice, which will be used in conjunction with bright lights and barricades, particularly in heavily trafficked areas.”
Explaining further, Commissioner Chong emphasized, “We will be looking out for and intercepting cruising troublemakers, by changing traffic patterns, and setting up checkpoints.”
When asked how he intended to deal specifically with gun traffic, the Commissioner said, “Guns seized in Mount Vernon are not made in Mount Vernon. We are looking at all kinds of law enforcement tools and procedures, including long-term covert investigation. We know that only a very small percentage of youths is causing the problem. We need good people to come forward with information.”
Tuesday night, Mayor Davis had addressed a crowd of several hundred concerned residents at the Macedonia Baptist Church, greeting them with the statement, “I am prepared to help our young people get to where they need to go. I deliberately chose the church to have this meeting because the residents of Mount Vernon are under an influence. Nobody in Mount Vernon makes guns or dope.
You’re all saints.” In contrast with the Police Commissioner’s comments to The Guardian, the next day, Davis appeared more concerned with the City’s image than with finding ways of dealing with it’s serious problems.
The mayor would tell those assembled, “Crime is down in the City. People have a lot to say, but it doesn’t have to be said tonight. So, if you’re playing to the cameras…”
Following Mayor Davis’ remarks, the moderator came to the microphone, as if on cue, and said to those assembled, and noticeably upset, “We already have an image problem, so don’t show any emotion to the cameras.”
By Vicki Mayfield and Richard Blassberg
Following a spate of violence, by youthful offenders, that resulted in two deaths by gunshot, critical injury to two others, and an assault against a Mount Vernon Police Officer at the high school the previous week, last Monday,
The Westchester Guardian was on assignment in that City hoping to interview high school students and other Mount Vernon youths in an effort to possibly uncover the underlying causes.
It had been our plan to interview students as they were dismissed shortly before 3pm as they walked home, stopping them at points a few blocks from the high school campus on California Road. However, just before 1 pm we received a call from a source within the school informing us that there was a “bomb scare” in progress, and that students were being dismissed early.
In no particular rush, not wishing to encounter crowds pouring off the campus, we waited for more than half an hour and drove into the neighborhood of the high school, arriving about 1:45, to discover small groups of students leisurely walking home. As we pulled to the curb about three blocks from the campus, calling
out to a cluster of three students, a car came rushing up the street, and positioning himself between us and the students, the school security staffer driving yelled out to them not to talk to anyone. He then drove off, ultimately circling back towards the school. Undeterred, we parked, got out and began to interview the next group
coming up the street. As we stood on the sidewalk speaking with a group of three girls and two boys, all ninth-graders, a large Suburban-type vehicle pulled up on the street, the driver, another school security guard, questioning what was going on. Upon our showing of press credentials, he nodded and drove off.
Asked why they had gotten out two hours early the kids told us there had been a “fire drill.” They agreed to speak with us on condition of anonymity, insisting “no pictures.” One of the girls said, “I feel safe on the bus, but not in school.” To which one of the boys responded, “Kids bring drugs and weapons through the side doors.” He
went on, “Some of the new security guards go too easy on kids they know. There should be better security checks.” Another girl backed that statement up suggesting, “They should bring in dogs to sniff out the lockers. Our parents are worried about our security.”
We next interviewed two eleventh-grade girls, friends who lived in the neighborhood near the high school. They, too, did not wish to be identified. One of the girls told us that she wanted to become a doctor, and that her mother was so concerned about her safety that she is considering sending her to a private school to finish high school. Her friend complained. “ There’s nothing for kids to do after school. We just go home and do computer.”The first girl then added, “Nobody is happy about the uniforms they want us to wear next year.”
When asked why they had gotten out early the girls also said it was a fire drill. Following our interviews we drove down toward the high school about 2:15 to discover about six police cars parked off-campus on both sides of California Road with an equal number of officers standing and watching small groups of students streaming away from the school. There wasn’t any apparent urgency, and police appeared to be maintaining as low a profile as possible under the circumstances.
Leaving the high school we went to East Fourth Street and Union Avenue, where a memorial to Reginald Reynolds, the twenty-year-old who had been gunned down by three shooters, at close range, the previous Wednesday, the 25th, had been set up. There we encountered a number of adults and young children
lingering for several minutes at the site.
Police Commissioner David Chong, interviewed on Wednesday, May 2nd, candidly revealed that his department had received word that there might be some kind of disturbance on campus Monday, and that they wanted to be prepared just in case.
Chong declared, “The kids are not dumb. They generated their own hysteria with text messaging and phone calls, that scared some good kids and parents.”
Turning more serious he told The Guardian, “What we need to do is stop the kids from killing each other.” Asked just what he had in mind the Commissioner responded, “We cannot arrest our way out of this culture.” He went on, “We intend to immediately institute more high visibility police patrols, especially in certain areas.
Those who are looking for trouble, if they come out in Mount Vernon there’s a good chance they are going to cross the path of a uniformed police officer.” He went on, “If we catch them with a gun they will face 3-1/2 years minimum with 2-1/2 years post-prison supervision, no exceptions. They better leave the gun at home.”
Asked how he intended to implement control over the flow of guns and drugs into his city, Chong responded, “We will be employing a Mobile Command Center capable of deployment anywhere in the City on a moment’s notice, which will be used in conjunction with bright lights and barricades, particularly in heavily trafficked areas.”
Explaining further, Commissioner Chong emphasized, “We will be looking out for and intercepting cruising troublemakers, by changing traffic patterns, and setting up checkpoints.”
When asked how he intended to deal specifically with gun traffic, the Commissioner said, “Guns seized in Mount Vernon are not made in Mount Vernon. We are looking at all kinds of law enforcement tools and procedures, including long-term covert investigation. We know that only a very small percentage of youths is causing the problem. We need good people to come forward with information.”
Tuesday night, Mayor Davis had addressed a crowd of several hundred concerned residents at the Macedonia Baptist Church, greeting them with the statement, “I am prepared to help our young people get to where they need to go. I deliberately chose the church to have this meeting because the residents of Mount Vernon are under an influence. Nobody in Mount Vernon makes guns or dope.
You’re all saints.” In contrast with the Police Commissioner’s comments to The Guardian, the next day, Davis appeared more concerned with the City’s image than with finding ways of dealing with it’s serious problems.
The mayor would tell those assembled, “Crime is down in the City. People have a lot to say, but it doesn’t have to be said tonight. So, if you’re playing to the cameras…”
Following Mayor Davis’ remarks, the moderator came to the microphone, as if on cue, and said to those assembled, and noticeably upset, “We already have an image problem, so don’t show any emotion to the cameras.”
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