The Advocate
Richard Blassberg
Tony Castro Speaks About Domestic Violence
At Fordham University School Of Law
Last Monday, April 6, Tony Castro, candidate for District Attorney of Westchester, appeared at Fordham University Law School in New York City for a panel discussion of domestic violence.
Castro was joined by Dr. Maria Munoz Kantha, family therapist, columnist and lecturer on issues of marriage and family, who organized the symposium, as well as Dr. Josie Diaz, youth and adolescent counselor and advisor, and Laura Cruz-Colon, domestic violence survivor,
broadcaster and lecturer.
Castro, who was an Assistant District Attorney, rising to Deputy Bureau Chief of Homicides and the Grand Jury over 14 years in The Bronx District Attorney’s Office, has been in private practice, engaged principally in criminal defense, for the past eight years. He shared, with some 50 law students in attendance, some of what he had learned on the Defense side in numerous domestic violence cases. He spoke of the importance of maintaining a fair and open-minded attitude, and, not necessarily seeking only short-term solutions to domestic violence
issues, but rather longterm, comprehensive agreements that will satisfy the needs of each partner and, more importantly, the children, if any, involved.
Castro stressed the importance of thorough investigation to determine the accuracy and veracity of all allegations and counter-claims in domestic violence cases. He pointed out the fact that people involved in alleged domestic violence “do not always have the courage to analyze the truth”. He stated, “An Order of Protection can create a false sense of security, but it does work in 90 percent of cases.”
Dr. Kantha spoke of “The cycle of power and control.” She stressed the need to understand the dynamics of the relationship in cases of domestic violence, and the need to approach such situations with empathy.
Kantha made a Powerpoint presentation displaying very graphic projected images of the severe facial and bodily injury inflicted by the domestic partner of Carolyn Thomas, a well-known Olympic athlete who lost most of her face to a gunshot by an enraged domestic partner who also killed her mother.
Dr. Josie Diaz told the aspiring lawyers, “Orders of Protection are a mixed bag.” She discussed acquaintance rape and violence between adolescents. She explained that often women “make up with a violent partner several times, essentially because they are afraid of them, and afraid of being
alone.” Dr. Diaz pointed out that we tend to raise boys and girls differently; rewarding boys for aggressive acts, but girls for being quiet. She cited instances of parents and other adult authority figures who frequently make calls to emergency mental health agencies when they discover boys playing with dolls.
Dr. Kantha reinforced the experiences revealed by Dr. Diaz, citing several instances from her own professional experience in family counseling and individual therapy, explaining the frequent tendency by misguided adults to overreact out of fears of homosexuality.
Laura Cruz-Colon, a domestic violence survivor, speaking about her former violent partner, told the students, “I didn’t want to hurt him,
I wanted to kill him,” as she detailed the emotions and thoughts that she lived with during an abusive relationship early in her adult life. She
detailed the fear and the guilt she experienced during 11 years of psychological and physical abuse.
She explained that the reality was she was, “no more abused than I allowed.” She told the students that she had to develop a plan of action which took three years to execute. Now happily married for more than 20 years, Cruz-Colon explained, “Abuse doesn’t stop on its own. It requires a re-framing of self.”
Tony Castro took the opportunity to detail the importance of cooperation between law enforcement, Police and the District Attorney’s
Office, together with community social service and health care agencies, in successfully dealing with cases of domestic violence, particularly where there are children involved. He cited a Yonkers case, the tragic outcome in the Dennis Alvarez-Hernandez/Patricia Torres relationship which ended in the death, by stabbing, of Torres and two of her four young children fathered by two other men, at the hands of Alvarez-
Hernandez during one of the couple’s many alcoholic binges.
Castro illustrated for the students how it was that two individuals, with numerous police reports of domestic violence, could nevertheless slip through the cracks, going unchecked and uncorrected, until it was too late. He said, “One organization will point a finger at another. And, then, the pendulum tends to swing the other way when you have such a notorious case.”
Castro stressed the importance of communication and cooperation between the District Attorney’s Office and all other agencies involved to prevent tragic outcomes in cases of domestic violence.
Showing posts with label Tony Castro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tony Castro. Show all posts
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Janet Difiore and Tony Castro.
The Advocate
Richard Blassberg
Janet’s ‘Got No Juice’
Readers Cautioned To Expect ‘Consultant’ Edelman’s Dirty Tricks
Last week, in our March 26th issue, we heaped praise on News12 for running a Question of the Day viewer poll that asked the question, “At this point, who would you vote for as Westchester DA?” Viewers were offered three candidates: Janet DiFiore, the incumbent who hadn’t yet officially announced, but was presumed to be running; Tony Castro, who had just announced that he was running, that very morning, and Dan Schorr, who had officially kicked off his campaign several weeks earlier, but had been running unofficially for about a year.
In our Editorial column, we declared, “News12 must be recognized for performing a true public service.” And, in the Advocate column, we cheered, “Hats off for running a Question Of the Day poll that clearly revealed the preferences of Westchester’s voters with respect to who should be the next district attorney of their county.” Those columns were written on the same day the poll was being taken, and as the day turned to evening, and then to night, it certainly became increasingly clear, tracking the results on News12.com, that the poll was a disaster for Janet DiFiore, the incumbent DA, and a powerful endorsement of Tony Castro.
Given News 12’s very special relationships with Andy Spano and Janet DiFiore, the thought occurred that, once again, Janine Rose had misread the will and the sentiment of the People of Westchester, as she had obviously done a few weeks earlier when another Question
Of the Day poll had revealed that the overwhelming majority of Westchester Residents and taxpayers wanted to abolish County government, much to the chagrine of the County Executive, causing Rose to then do a Newsmakers program segment with Mike Edelman and Lawrence Otis-Graham that was vicious and defamatory against Sam Zherka, a very active advocate for eliminating or substantially reducing County government and County taxes.
Nevertheless, the day after that poll was run, Brian Conybeare was on the air with the results, and so we surely thought News 12 would do the right Thing and inform their viewers that their poll of 999 responding viewers, showed 55 percent would elect Tony Castro, 27 percent would vote for Dan Schorr, and only 18 percent would vote for Janet DiFiore, this time.
Sadly, we were wrong. They simply did not possess the integrity nor the courage to openly and honestly inform their viewers that the incumbent, the sitting district attorney, a woman who had abandoned the Republic Party after they had supported her through four election bids, now pretending to be a Democrat, had been so badly rejected in their poll, receiving only 18 percent, 183 votes out of 999 cast.
When it became apparent Friday morning that News12 was not making any announcement of the outcome of the prior day’s DA preference poll, we called the station sometime after 8:30am, reaching Dave Wolfe at the newsroom. We asked how it was that no mention of such a significant poll, and it's outcome, had been made; why viewers weren’t being informed. We cited the poll several days earlier, which had revealed public sentiment to abolish County government. Wolfe said he would pass my concerns along to Janine Rose.
We called again, a half hour or so later, when they still hadn’t released the results to viewers, and was told there would be a meeting to discuss it. If such a meeting ever occurred, it soon became obvious that News 12 had no intention of informing their viewers that Tony Castro, who had just officially announced his intention to run for DA the same day, had gotten more than three times the number of votes Janet DiFiore could muster. Apparently News 12 would rather protect a bad district attorney by concealing the stunning results of their own poll than level with their viewers. They would rather relegate themselves to irrelevance with managed and manipulated news, then risk upsetting Andy Spano, who gave them a $22.5 million sweetheart deal nine years ago; a no-bid contract for a failed communications system from their wholly-owned subsidiary, Lightpath.
Similarly, they would rather cover up the failings of a bad district attorney as well as the public’s rejection of her, for fear of her ruthlessness and her political connections to Andy Spano, their huge benefactor, and Nick Spano, their lobbyist. As a cable provider, Cablevision News 12 is not subject to the “Fairness Doctrine” under the rules of the Federal Communications Commission.
The simple truth is News 12, and the politicians and hacks they consistently do business with and protect, insultingly, underestimate the intelligence and the common sense of Westchester residents. It goes far beyond merely taking people for granted. It’s arrogant, as when millions of dollars are spent buying a worthless “white elephant” old building of one of Andy’s big political contributors against the protest of all quarters of public opinion. It’s criminal, as when election machines are tampered with, signs of opponents are destroyed with box cutters, and bribes are offered to remove Right To Life candidates, and people are paid to vote in the names of deceased individuals or inactive voters.
The trouble is the insiders have been getting away with such antics for so long they totally discount the will of the People, even going so far as pulling duly nominated candidates off the ballot. That’s what they did to Billy Giacomo, running for County Clerk in 2001, because they feared a ticket consisting of Andy Spano, Billy Giacomo, and Tony Castro, might have been so strong that there would have been a Democratic “sweep” and Jeanine Pirro, Republican co-conspirator, would have been defeated.
However, that was then, 2001 and 2005; a fixed race and a fraudulent race, respectively, for Westchester DA. Yet, despite the best efforts of those involved, Andy Spano, Larry Schwartz, Nick Spano, Reggie LaFayette, and, of course, Janet DiFiore herself, the truth eventually rears it's head. Some people eventually suffer from pangs of conscience. Still others decide they don’t like the conduct of the beneficiary of the conspiracy, and come forward as well. Nothing as ugly and un-American as rigging elections can be kept secret forever.
If Andy and Janet and their henchmen believe they can keep the citizens and taxpayers of Westchester in the dark by controlling the media, The Guardian is here to say, “Think again.” The Janine Roses, Mike Edelmans and Larry Grahams can conceal and spin the news all they might, but the People of Westchester will not be fooled.
Richard Blassberg
Janet’s ‘Got No Juice’
Readers Cautioned To Expect ‘Consultant’ Edelman’s Dirty Tricks
Last week, in our March 26th issue, we heaped praise on News12 for running a Question of the Day viewer poll that asked the question, “At this point, who would you vote for as Westchester DA?” Viewers were offered three candidates: Janet DiFiore, the incumbent who hadn’t yet officially announced, but was presumed to be running; Tony Castro, who had just announced that he was running, that very morning, and Dan Schorr, who had officially kicked off his campaign several weeks earlier, but had been running unofficially for about a year.
In our Editorial column, we declared, “News12 must be recognized for performing a true public service.” And, in the Advocate column, we cheered, “Hats off for running a Question Of the Day poll that clearly revealed the preferences of Westchester’s voters with respect to who should be the next district attorney of their county.” Those columns were written on the same day the poll was being taken, and as the day turned to evening, and then to night, it certainly became increasingly clear, tracking the results on News12.com, that the poll was a disaster for Janet DiFiore, the incumbent DA, and a powerful endorsement of Tony Castro.
Given News 12’s very special relationships with Andy Spano and Janet DiFiore, the thought occurred that, once again, Janine Rose had misread the will and the sentiment of the People of Westchester, as she had obviously done a few weeks earlier when another Question
Of the Day poll had revealed that the overwhelming majority of Westchester Residents and taxpayers wanted to abolish County government, much to the chagrine of the County Executive, causing Rose to then do a Newsmakers program segment with Mike Edelman and Lawrence Otis-Graham that was vicious and defamatory against Sam Zherka, a very active advocate for eliminating or substantially reducing County government and County taxes.
Nevertheless, the day after that poll was run, Brian Conybeare was on the air with the results, and so we surely thought News 12 would do the right Thing and inform their viewers that their poll of 999 responding viewers, showed 55 percent would elect Tony Castro, 27 percent would vote for Dan Schorr, and only 18 percent would vote for Janet DiFiore, this time.
Sadly, we were wrong. They simply did not possess the integrity nor the courage to openly and honestly inform their viewers that the incumbent, the sitting district attorney, a woman who had abandoned the Republic Party after they had supported her through four election bids, now pretending to be a Democrat, had been so badly rejected in their poll, receiving only 18 percent, 183 votes out of 999 cast.
When it became apparent Friday morning that News12 was not making any announcement of the outcome of the prior day’s DA preference poll, we called the station sometime after 8:30am, reaching Dave Wolfe at the newsroom. We asked how it was that no mention of such a significant poll, and it's outcome, had been made; why viewers weren’t being informed. We cited the poll several days earlier, which had revealed public sentiment to abolish County government. Wolfe said he would pass my concerns along to Janine Rose.
We called again, a half hour or so later, when they still hadn’t released the results to viewers, and was told there would be a meeting to discuss it. If such a meeting ever occurred, it soon became obvious that News 12 had no intention of informing their viewers that Tony Castro, who had just officially announced his intention to run for DA the same day, had gotten more than three times the number of votes Janet DiFiore could muster. Apparently News 12 would rather protect a bad district attorney by concealing the stunning results of their own poll than level with their viewers. They would rather relegate themselves to irrelevance with managed and manipulated news, then risk upsetting Andy Spano, who gave them a $22.5 million sweetheart deal nine years ago; a no-bid contract for a failed communications system from their wholly-owned subsidiary, Lightpath.
Similarly, they would rather cover up the failings of a bad district attorney as well as the public’s rejection of her, for fear of her ruthlessness and her political connections to Andy Spano, their huge benefactor, and Nick Spano, their lobbyist. As a cable provider, Cablevision News 12 is not subject to the “Fairness Doctrine” under the rules of the Federal Communications Commission.
The simple truth is News 12, and the politicians and hacks they consistently do business with and protect, insultingly, underestimate the intelligence and the common sense of Westchester residents. It goes far beyond merely taking people for granted. It’s arrogant, as when millions of dollars are spent buying a worthless “white elephant” old building of one of Andy’s big political contributors against the protest of all quarters of public opinion. It’s criminal, as when election machines are tampered with, signs of opponents are destroyed with box cutters, and bribes are offered to remove Right To Life candidates, and people are paid to vote in the names of deceased individuals or inactive voters.
The trouble is the insiders have been getting away with such antics for so long they totally discount the will of the People, even going so far as pulling duly nominated candidates off the ballot. That’s what they did to Billy Giacomo, running for County Clerk in 2001, because they feared a ticket consisting of Andy Spano, Billy Giacomo, and Tony Castro, might have been so strong that there would have been a Democratic “sweep” and Jeanine Pirro, Republican co-conspirator, would have been defeated.
However, that was then, 2001 and 2005; a fixed race and a fraudulent race, respectively, for Westchester DA. Yet, despite the best efforts of those involved, Andy Spano, Larry Schwartz, Nick Spano, Reggie LaFayette, and, of course, Janet DiFiore herself, the truth eventually rears it's head. Some people eventually suffer from pangs of conscience. Still others decide they don’t like the conduct of the beneficiary of the conspiracy, and come forward as well. Nothing as ugly and un-American as rigging elections can be kept secret forever.
If Andy and Janet and their henchmen believe they can keep the citizens and taxpayers of Westchester in the dark by controlling the media, The Guardian is here to say, “Think again.” The Janine Roses, Mike Edelmans and Larry Grahams can conceal and spin the news all they might, but the People of Westchester will not be fooled.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Janet Difiore and Tony Castro.
The Advocate
Richard Blassberg
The Meaning Of News12’s DA Voter Poll
Good Ole Honest Abe Had It Right
It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “You can fool some of the People all of the time, and all of the People some of the time; but you can’t fool all of the People all of the time.”
Hats off, as they would say in Honest Abe’s time, to News12 for, once again, running a Question Of The Day poll that clearly revealed the preferences of Westchester’s voters with respect to who should be the next district attorney of their county. Granted, it is not a purely scientific pole. However, 999 participants, essentially voting in privacy, and taking the time and trouble to do so, surely represents a meaningful sample and a profound commentary, particularly on the performance of the incumbent DA.
The Question Of The Day asked, “At this point, who would you vote for as Westchester DA?”
Th e results were as follows:
Janet DiFiore (D): 183, 18%
Tony Castro (D): 546, 55%
Dan Schorr (R): 270 27%
There is no other way to interpret these results than to recognize that more than 80 percent of Westchester residents reject the person
who currently occupies the District Attorney’s Office, and would prefer either Democrat Tony Castro or Republican Dan Schorr. Despite the power, exposure, and advantages of holding the Office for more than three years, Janet DiFiore is the choice of fewer than 1 out of 5 potential voters.
Let’s be fair in our analysis. Leaving personality and other factors aside, this outcome is a referendum on Janet DiFiore’s performance
in office. The People clearly understand that law and order, the administration of criminal justice, and safety of families, not to mention
the morale and reputation and activity of many of the County’s police agencies have all suffered terribly under Janet DiFiore. She has brought out the worst in people and the People know it.
You simply can not run a DA’s Office the way she has; prosecuting victims of rogue, violent, cops and get away with it. You can not
view a videotape such as the one in the Irma Marquez incident and then not only fail to deal with the offending officer, but also proceed
to prosecute the innocent, falsely charged, severely injured civilian victim. And, the real problem is that Marquez is but one of dozens
of such cases, over the last three years, on DiFiore’s watch.
So much for the negative implications of the poll. With respect to the two individuals, viewers and potential voters do prefer, we must
firstly congratulate Dan Schorr, a newcomer to the world of district attorney elections, for his showing of 27 percent. Dan, a former
assistant DA, has been running unofficially for the better part of a year now and has conducted a clean, constructive campaign. Running as a
Republican, he understands the uphill battle that party registrations pose for him in Westchester. We wish him well, and look forward to following his activities.
Then, there is Tony Castro, whose first campaign in 2001 against Jeanine Pirro, we had the privilege of directing. He went from somebody hardly anybody knew in August, despite the tragic events of September 11, to coming within fewer than six points of winning. As Mike Edelman once confessed with candor in the privacy of an elevator in the County Courthouse, “With two more weeks Tony might have won.”
Tony Castro’s performance in the News12 poll was remarkable given that he officially announced his candidacy at 11am on the day it was conducted. By capturing 55 percent of the votes, more than three times that of the incumbent, his reputation, his character, and his desireability and experience as a former prosecutor for 14 years in The Bronx, are apparently most appreciated and sought after, more
than ever, following three disastrous years under Janet DiFiore’s mismanagement of the District Attorney’s Office.
For the past eight years, Castro has been engaged in law practice here in Westchester, mostly criminal defense. He has gotten a good look at criminal justice in our County, and surrounding counties, from both sides, Prosecution and Defense, for more than 22 years. He is well-liked and highly respected by judges and prosecutors all over the downstate area; and, in fact, supervised many of today’s top assistant DA's throughout the 9th Judicial District.
Castro’s popularity in the courts is unquestionably a reflection of his decency and fundamental honesty and fairness in all of his dealings; characteristics the People of Westchester realize, perhaps more than ever, are required from their next district attorney.
Richard Blassberg
The Meaning Of News12’s DA Voter Poll
Good Ole Honest Abe Had It Right
It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “You can fool some of the People all of the time, and all of the People some of the time; but you can’t fool all of the People all of the time.”
Hats off, as they would say in Honest Abe’s time, to News12 for, once again, running a Question Of The Day poll that clearly revealed the preferences of Westchester’s voters with respect to who should be the next district attorney of their county. Granted, it is not a purely scientific pole. However, 999 participants, essentially voting in privacy, and taking the time and trouble to do so, surely represents a meaningful sample and a profound commentary, particularly on the performance of the incumbent DA.
The Question Of The Day asked, “At this point, who would you vote for as Westchester DA?”
Th e results were as follows:
Janet DiFiore (D): 183, 18%
Tony Castro (D): 546, 55%
Dan Schorr (R): 270 27%
There is no other way to interpret these results than to recognize that more than 80 percent of Westchester residents reject the person
who currently occupies the District Attorney’s Office, and would prefer either Democrat Tony Castro or Republican Dan Schorr. Despite the power, exposure, and advantages of holding the Office for more than three years, Janet DiFiore is the choice of fewer than 1 out of 5 potential voters.
Let’s be fair in our analysis. Leaving personality and other factors aside, this outcome is a referendum on Janet DiFiore’s performance
in office. The People clearly understand that law and order, the administration of criminal justice, and safety of families, not to mention
the morale and reputation and activity of many of the County’s police agencies have all suffered terribly under Janet DiFiore. She has brought out the worst in people and the People know it.
You simply can not run a DA’s Office the way she has; prosecuting victims of rogue, violent, cops and get away with it. You can not
view a videotape such as the one in the Irma Marquez incident and then not only fail to deal with the offending officer, but also proceed
to prosecute the innocent, falsely charged, severely injured civilian victim. And, the real problem is that Marquez is but one of dozens
of such cases, over the last three years, on DiFiore’s watch.
So much for the negative implications of the poll. With respect to the two individuals, viewers and potential voters do prefer, we must
firstly congratulate Dan Schorr, a newcomer to the world of district attorney elections, for his showing of 27 percent. Dan, a former
assistant DA, has been running unofficially for the better part of a year now and has conducted a clean, constructive campaign. Running as a
Republican, he understands the uphill battle that party registrations pose for him in Westchester. We wish him well, and look forward to following his activities.
Then, there is Tony Castro, whose first campaign in 2001 against Jeanine Pirro, we had the privilege of directing. He went from somebody hardly anybody knew in August, despite the tragic events of September 11, to coming within fewer than six points of winning. As Mike Edelman once confessed with candor in the privacy of an elevator in the County Courthouse, “With two more weeks Tony might have won.”
Tony Castro’s performance in the News12 poll was remarkable given that he officially announced his candidacy at 11am on the day it was conducted. By capturing 55 percent of the votes, more than three times that of the incumbent, his reputation, his character, and his desireability and experience as a former prosecutor for 14 years in The Bronx, are apparently most appreciated and sought after, more
than ever, following three disastrous years under Janet DiFiore’s mismanagement of the District Attorney’s Office.
For the past eight years, Castro has been engaged in law practice here in Westchester, mostly criminal defense. He has gotten a good look at criminal justice in our County, and surrounding counties, from both sides, Prosecution and Defense, for more than 22 years. He is well-liked and highly respected by judges and prosecutors all over the downstate area; and, in fact, supervised many of today’s top assistant DA's throughout the 9th Judicial District.
Castro’s popularity in the courts is unquestionably a reflection of his decency and fundamental honesty and fairness in all of his dealings; characteristics the People of Westchester realize, perhaps more than ever, are required from their next district attorney.
Tony Castro.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
In Our Opinion...
Tony Castro For DA: It Can’t Happen Too Soon!
We were very pleased that Tony Castro, a man who, in the last election for Westchester DA, was nominated by acclamation of nearly 1,000 Democrats at the party convention at the County Center, announced last Thursday, March 19th, that he will be running for District Attorney once again. His decision was most unselfish in light of the fact that Reggie LaFayette, Party Chair, and several party “insiders” had attempted to persuade him to accept a nomination for judge; of course, by way of perpetuating the counterfeit Democrat, Janet DiFiore’s, grip on the Office.
In announcing his candidacy, Castro said he had been considering the run for several months. In fact, more than 250 friends and supporters from all political persuasions, Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Working Family and the Independence Party, a coalition of concerned leaders including several party chairs, had attended a fundraising event organized by Friends Of Tony Castro back on October 23rd of last year. The event had raised over $100,000.
Castro told reporters that he realized he had to run for District Attorney when one of his supporters, a Democratic district leader in Mount Vernon, Sam Rivers, was threatened with bodily harm by a spokesman for Janet DiFiore and her supporters for having introduced Tony to several of his Democratic constituents. A reporter questioned Castro about a statement released by Party Chairman LaFayette to the effect that the Executive Committee had indicated their support for the present incumbents. Castro responded, as pertained to DA DiFiore, “Their support
was premature.”
We would tend to agree with Castro given the fact that the announcement came weeks before he entered the race. Furthermore, the Executive Committee consisting of a tiny fraction of the County’s Democratic Committeepersons, and less than a drop in the bucket of all registered Democrats, are clearly not rank-and-file, and, for the most part, have ties, financial and otherwise, to the Spano Administration which has been promoting Janet DiFiore for their own nefarious reasons from before the last election.
We are pleased with Tony Castro’s decision because it means that, at last, Westchester may have a real public servant, not a politician, for District Attorney. We are confident that Tony Castro will restore law and order; put an end to prosecutorial misconduct, and work tirelessly, and cooperatively, with police departments throughout the County to restore their reputation and productivity and that of the District Attorney’s Office, as well as public respect for law enforcement.
Once again, News12 must be recognized for performing a true public service last Thursday by making their Question Of The Day, “At this point, who would you vote for as Westchester DA?” The results were not surprising to us.
• Janet DiFiore (D): 18%
• Tony Castro (D): 55%
• Dan Shorr (R): 27%
The results speak for themselves. The People of Westchester will not be fooled by a counterfeit again, nor will she steal another election.
Our Readers Respond....
A Missive From An Appreciative Reader
Dear Editor:
Thank you for the open format, honesty and diverse topics your paper brings to the public. Each week’s issue is entertaining and informative. The World Traveler transports the readers through the culture, landscape, and color of our Earth’s travel destinations. Shelley Ackerman relates an impressively accurate reading of the heavens in her weekly horoscopes for Shimmering Stars. Dr. Maria Munoz Kantha’s sensitive wisdom provides accessible solutions for difficult relationship issues and good advice for creating family accord. Her column has been missed in
recent issues, for Vicki Mayfield’s writing style and humor added light-hearted views on serious social issues.
No contributing writer, however, has offered more to The Westchester Guardian than Jeffrey Deskovic. Mr. Deskovic writes with determination, tempered by modest strength, while exposing the many corrupt and heinous practices of the judicial system in this country. Mr. Deskovic reveals an inner spirit and core value that distinguished him from the average man, for most men crack and fall when they experience such desolation. His mother would be very proud of her son.
The judicial policies of this country have long promoted self-serving interest rather than the well-being of its citizens. The Westchester Guardian presents the full spectrum of judicial activity in news coverage, exposing the tyrannical years of Jeanine Pirro, Garcia’s abuse of power and the issue of wrongful convictions.
The occasional light-giving powers also show themselves in your pages, mainly through the legacy of Judge Charles Brieant. The honorable judge stood as a rare pillar of integrity within the Federal Judicial System. The divisions made in the New York Federal Court became law and set a national precedence. Policy-makers often come under influence of fraudulence, bribery and exploitation.
Perhaps that is why Judge Brieant was quoted in the New York Times as referring to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals as the “Second Circus.”
Judge Brieant’s magnificent decision to overturn the jury verdict in the Paul Cote case was a rare move and a noble deed. The prosecutors corner, under the direction of Garcia and Dunne, has attacked the Judge’s decision with relentless ferocity. The “Second Circus” has followed suit.
The Cote case fell from the hands of the fair and just Judge Brieant after his recent death. Judge Karas has inherited the volatile responsibility to decide the fate of Officer Cote (and his family). Judge Karas will need the wisdom of King Solomon and the strength of Excalibur to follow in
Judge Brieant’s footsteps, and balance the scales of justice.
Keep up the good work. Freedom of the Press is a precious right and privilege.
Lily Rock
Philadelphia
Re: Paul Cote
Dear Editor,
I have been following the Paul Cote story for years now. What seems very interesting to me is that this case still lingers on. It raises the question could there be any other motives in the continued prosecution/percussion of this man who has already been punished by society for what many think was never a crime?
I ask the question, is it now time to appoint an independent investigator to look into the motives, methods and goals of further legal action
against a man who has lost so much and paid such a price already? And at what financial burden to the taxpayers will this continued persecution
of a man who has already served his time be? I believe these are the questions that need to be answered.
Francine Uomoleale-Mauro East Northport, NY
Reader Questions New Rochelle IDAs
Dear Editor:
Residents should be aware of the second annual report on Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) by the State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. He promises greater “transparency and accountability to measure the value of IDAs.” The report states the City of New Rochelle had nearly $57 million in projects, and their rank in cost per job is the third highest in the state at $26,077 per job created for an estimated 310 jobs. This cost per job is about six times higher than the state average of $4,527 and many more times the state median cost per job of $1,288.
DiNapoli’s report states that job figures are “based upon estimates made by the IDAs and often are not verified.” Improvements have been made to address some issues. For example, IDAs will not be able to revise employment goal data. IDAs will now be able to recoup benefits given if the project does not create the promised number of jobs and maintain its retention goals. Amounts of PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) actually
paid and how much the developer had agreed to pay will be required to determine if the terms of the financial agreement are being met.
IDAs must now also report “estimated salary” for all jobs, whether newly created or retained. Here in New Rochelle the IDA benefits for the expansion of New Roc to add two new retailers may be suitable for reevaluation based on the latest improvements in IDA procedures. Residents
have lost the use of an ice skating rink but see no retail construction taking place. In these troubling financial times why hasn’t this IDA
made all the projects which were granted benefits accountable? I urge the New Rochelle IDA to make this information public.
Peggy Godfrey,
New Rochelle
Reader Bemoans County’s Waste Of Money
Dear Editor:
Hello. My name is Joshua Askew. I came to the first meeting on abolishing county government. I was quoted in the Journal News saying that social services was the biggest hustle to taxpayers. That statement has caused me a lot of trouble.
The County is now is retaliating against me for that statement. I have always seen county government as a big waste of tax dollars and I have been advocating against it on my own in the City of Mount Vernon with no help from anyone. If you want abolish county government, you have to start with the DSS. If not, you are wasting a lot of time. Your tax dollars are used to pay for the making of an underclass.
There are a lot of so called nonprofit organizations that would not survive if our tax dollars did not pay for them. If you do not believe what I am saying, go to the City of Mount Vernon and ask the people that are on Welfare how they are being treated. Ask them to show you their yearly budget sheets and you will see the thousands of dollars being spent, more money than most of us make in a year and they have no control over that money.
It’s the biggest hustle ever; the DSS is the problem and there is no oversight on how they spend your money. It is the County’s, and a lot
other of people’s, cash cow.
Joshua Askew
Mount Vernon N.Y
Flood Mitigation Relief
Dear Editor:
The different Village of Mamaroneck neighborhood associations who are committed to seeking action on flood mitigation since the last disastrous 2007 flood are enthusiastic and optimistic to the positive news of Federal and State funds now available to the Village of Mamaroneck to take immediate action.
It is through our dedicated public Servants, Assemblyman George Latimer, who has helped secure a New York State Economic Development Corporation $1.2 million dollar Capital Projects grant, of which $400,000 is earmarked for the Village of Mamaroneck for flood mitigation and
Congresswoman Nita Lowey who announced community funding totaling $8,286,367, including $500,000 for sewer improvements to mitigate flooding in the Village of Mamaroneck.
While we are all awaiting the conclusion of the Army Corps of Engineers to finish their investigations, which at best will be available in 2012, and realistically closer to 2016, it is now the time for the Village officials to act expeditiously to secure and implement programs that are well known and previously identified to be executed in order to give relief to future flooding conditions.
Our community is certainly thankful for the follow up to promises made two years ago by many politicians and at least our Assemblyman and Congresswoman have come through for the Village. It helps restore the confidence of the residents that something will finally happen.
Norman S. Rosenblum
Mamaroneck
In Our Opinion...
Tony Castro For DA: It Can’t Happen Too Soon!
We were very pleased that Tony Castro, a man who, in the last election for Westchester DA, was nominated by acclamation of nearly 1,000 Democrats at the party convention at the County Center, announced last Thursday, March 19th, that he will be running for District Attorney once again. His decision was most unselfish in light of the fact that Reggie LaFayette, Party Chair, and several party “insiders” had attempted to persuade him to accept a nomination for judge; of course, by way of perpetuating the counterfeit Democrat, Janet DiFiore’s, grip on the Office.
In announcing his candidacy, Castro said he had been considering the run for several months. In fact, more than 250 friends and supporters from all political persuasions, Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Working Family and the Independence Party, a coalition of concerned leaders including several party chairs, had attended a fundraising event organized by Friends Of Tony Castro back on October 23rd of last year. The event had raised over $100,000.
Castro told reporters that he realized he had to run for District Attorney when one of his supporters, a Democratic district leader in Mount Vernon, Sam Rivers, was threatened with bodily harm by a spokesman for Janet DiFiore and her supporters for having introduced Tony to several of his Democratic constituents. A reporter questioned Castro about a statement released by Party Chairman LaFayette to the effect that the Executive Committee had indicated their support for the present incumbents. Castro responded, as pertained to DA DiFiore, “Their support
was premature.”
We would tend to agree with Castro given the fact that the announcement came weeks before he entered the race. Furthermore, the Executive Committee consisting of a tiny fraction of the County’s Democratic Committeepersons, and less than a drop in the bucket of all registered Democrats, are clearly not rank-and-file, and, for the most part, have ties, financial and otherwise, to the Spano Administration which has been promoting Janet DiFiore for their own nefarious reasons from before the last election.
We are pleased with Tony Castro’s decision because it means that, at last, Westchester may have a real public servant, not a politician, for District Attorney. We are confident that Tony Castro will restore law and order; put an end to prosecutorial misconduct, and work tirelessly, and cooperatively, with police departments throughout the County to restore their reputation and productivity and that of the District Attorney’s Office, as well as public respect for law enforcement.
Once again, News12 must be recognized for performing a true public service last Thursday by making their Question Of The Day, “At this point, who would you vote for as Westchester DA?” The results were not surprising to us.
• Janet DiFiore (D): 18%
• Tony Castro (D): 55%
• Dan Shorr (R): 27%
The results speak for themselves. The People of Westchester will not be fooled by a counterfeit again, nor will she steal another election.
Our Readers Respond....
A Missive From An Appreciative Reader
Dear Editor:
Thank you for the open format, honesty and diverse topics your paper brings to the public. Each week’s issue is entertaining and informative. The World Traveler transports the readers through the culture, landscape, and color of our Earth’s travel destinations. Shelley Ackerman relates an impressively accurate reading of the heavens in her weekly horoscopes for Shimmering Stars. Dr. Maria Munoz Kantha’s sensitive wisdom provides accessible solutions for difficult relationship issues and good advice for creating family accord. Her column has been missed in
recent issues, for Vicki Mayfield’s writing style and humor added light-hearted views on serious social issues.
No contributing writer, however, has offered more to The Westchester Guardian than Jeffrey Deskovic. Mr. Deskovic writes with determination, tempered by modest strength, while exposing the many corrupt and heinous practices of the judicial system in this country. Mr. Deskovic reveals an inner spirit and core value that distinguished him from the average man, for most men crack and fall when they experience such desolation. His mother would be very proud of her son.
The judicial policies of this country have long promoted self-serving interest rather than the well-being of its citizens. The Westchester Guardian presents the full spectrum of judicial activity in news coverage, exposing the tyrannical years of Jeanine Pirro, Garcia’s abuse of power and the issue of wrongful convictions.
The occasional light-giving powers also show themselves in your pages, mainly through the legacy of Judge Charles Brieant. The honorable judge stood as a rare pillar of integrity within the Federal Judicial System. The divisions made in the New York Federal Court became law and set a national precedence. Policy-makers often come under influence of fraudulence, bribery and exploitation.
Perhaps that is why Judge Brieant was quoted in the New York Times as referring to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals as the “Second Circus.”
Judge Brieant’s magnificent decision to overturn the jury verdict in the Paul Cote case was a rare move and a noble deed. The prosecutors corner, under the direction of Garcia and Dunne, has attacked the Judge’s decision with relentless ferocity. The “Second Circus” has followed suit.
The Cote case fell from the hands of the fair and just Judge Brieant after his recent death. Judge Karas has inherited the volatile responsibility to decide the fate of Officer Cote (and his family). Judge Karas will need the wisdom of King Solomon and the strength of Excalibur to follow in
Judge Brieant’s footsteps, and balance the scales of justice.
Keep up the good work. Freedom of the Press is a precious right and privilege.
Lily Rock
Philadelphia
Re: Paul Cote
Dear Editor,
I have been following the Paul Cote story for years now. What seems very interesting to me is that this case still lingers on. It raises the question could there be any other motives in the continued prosecution/percussion of this man who has already been punished by society for what many think was never a crime?
I ask the question, is it now time to appoint an independent investigator to look into the motives, methods and goals of further legal action
against a man who has lost so much and paid such a price already? And at what financial burden to the taxpayers will this continued persecution
of a man who has already served his time be? I believe these are the questions that need to be answered.
Francine Uomoleale-Mauro East Northport, NY
Reader Questions New Rochelle IDAs
Dear Editor:
Residents should be aware of the second annual report on Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) by the State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. He promises greater “transparency and accountability to measure the value of IDAs.” The report states the City of New Rochelle had nearly $57 million in projects, and their rank in cost per job is the third highest in the state at $26,077 per job created for an estimated 310 jobs. This cost per job is about six times higher than the state average of $4,527 and many more times the state median cost per job of $1,288.
DiNapoli’s report states that job figures are “based upon estimates made by the IDAs and often are not verified.” Improvements have been made to address some issues. For example, IDAs will not be able to revise employment goal data. IDAs will now be able to recoup benefits given if the project does not create the promised number of jobs and maintain its retention goals. Amounts of PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) actually
paid and how much the developer had agreed to pay will be required to determine if the terms of the financial agreement are being met.
IDAs must now also report “estimated salary” for all jobs, whether newly created or retained. Here in New Rochelle the IDA benefits for the expansion of New Roc to add two new retailers may be suitable for reevaluation based on the latest improvements in IDA procedures. Residents
have lost the use of an ice skating rink but see no retail construction taking place. In these troubling financial times why hasn’t this IDA
made all the projects which were granted benefits accountable? I urge the New Rochelle IDA to make this information public.
Peggy Godfrey,
New Rochelle
Reader Bemoans County’s Waste Of Money
Dear Editor:
Hello. My name is Joshua Askew. I came to the first meeting on abolishing county government. I was quoted in the Journal News saying that social services was the biggest hustle to taxpayers. That statement has caused me a lot of trouble.
The County is now is retaliating against me for that statement. I have always seen county government as a big waste of tax dollars and I have been advocating against it on my own in the City of Mount Vernon with no help from anyone. If you want abolish county government, you have to start with the DSS. If not, you are wasting a lot of time. Your tax dollars are used to pay for the making of an underclass.
There are a lot of so called nonprofit organizations that would not survive if our tax dollars did not pay for them. If you do not believe what I am saying, go to the City of Mount Vernon and ask the people that are on Welfare how they are being treated. Ask them to show you their yearly budget sheets and you will see the thousands of dollars being spent, more money than most of us make in a year and they have no control over that money.
It’s the biggest hustle ever; the DSS is the problem and there is no oversight on how they spend your money. It is the County’s, and a lot
other of people’s, cash cow.
Joshua Askew
Mount Vernon N.Y
Flood Mitigation Relief
Dear Editor:
The different Village of Mamaroneck neighborhood associations who are committed to seeking action on flood mitigation since the last disastrous 2007 flood are enthusiastic and optimistic to the positive news of Federal and State funds now available to the Village of Mamaroneck to take immediate action.
It is through our dedicated public Servants, Assemblyman George Latimer, who has helped secure a New York State Economic Development Corporation $1.2 million dollar Capital Projects grant, of which $400,000 is earmarked for the Village of Mamaroneck for flood mitigation and
Congresswoman Nita Lowey who announced community funding totaling $8,286,367, including $500,000 for sewer improvements to mitigate flooding in the Village of Mamaroneck.
While we are all awaiting the conclusion of the Army Corps of Engineers to finish their investigations, which at best will be available in 2012, and realistically closer to 2016, it is now the time for the Village officials to act expeditiously to secure and implement programs that are well known and previously identified to be executed in order to give relief to future flooding conditions.
Our community is certainly thankful for the follow up to promises made two years ago by many politicians and at least our Assemblyman and Congresswoman have come through for the Village. It helps restore the confidence of the residents that something will finally happen.
Norman S. Rosenblum
Mamaroneck
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Westchester Guardian/Dr. Martin Luther King Day/Tony Castro.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tony Castro Co-Sponsors Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Birthday Breakfast Celebration
Joins With Reverends Van Leu of Mount Vernon and
Crumpton Of Tuckahoe In Sharing, Caring, and Prayer
Last Monday morning, January 19th, The Guardian was present when, on the 80th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth, some 130 residents of Mount Vernon joined Tony Castro and Reverend Van Leu of Mount Vernon’s Centennial Zion Church, as well as Reverend Crumpton, of Tuckahoe, for a breakfast under the tent in honor of the life and works of the martyred civil rights leader and advocate for non-violent protest.
Castro told the crowd, who had gathered despite 20-degree temperatures and snow-covered sidewalks, “On April 16, 1963, an American civil rights leader whose 80th birthday we celebrate today, wrote a letter from the city jail in Birmingham, Alabama.” Castro explained, "Imprisoned for his part in a non-violent protest, Dr. King patiently explained why his movement for justice simply could not wait, despite
the urgings of others.”
Referring to the inauguration which would follow on Tuesday in Washington, Castro said, “Tomorrow, America fulfills Dr. King’s dream of a nation rising up and living out the true meaning of its creed, ‘We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident, That All Men Are Created Equal.’”
He went on, “Tomorrow our president will be a man judged and chosen not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. Tomorrow the age-old barriers will fall Yet, tomorrow the struggle for social justice and civil rights goes on, even in the streets and courtrooms of this city and this county.” His reference was a clear reminder that people of color, Blacks, Latinos, and others for whom
Dr. King had worked so long, continue to be victimized by crime and violence in greater numbers in the streets of Mount Vernon and Yonkers, and often re-victimized in courts throughout the County.
Reverend Van Leu and Reverend Crumpton each made the point, with impassioned prayer and declarations, that although there was great reason to be gratified with the progress we had made as a nation, as exemplified by the election of Barack Obama, still there was much to be accomplished in the day-to-day existence of hard-working Black and Latino families with respect to treatment by government, and society generally. They emphasized the need to remain vigilant in the continuing struggle for human rights and dignity.
Interviewed by The Guardian, following the breakfast event, Tony Castro said, “There was a general feeling on the part of those who attended, of gratitude, accomplishment and hope. People were grateful that Dr. King’s dream was fulfilled in the election of an African-American president and, furthermore, that it happened in their lifetime.”
Asked how he would characterize the feelings of those with whom he spoke, pausing momentarily, Castro observed, “Despite all of the euphoria regarding the momentous and historic event, most acknowledged that much remains to be done, particularly in the area of social justice.
They expressed hope that the change promised to the nation by Barack Obama would be felt here in Westchester County, and that there would be greater respect for, and enforcement of, civil rights by those in a position to uphold and enforce the law.”
Tony Castro Co-Sponsors Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Birthday Breakfast Celebration
Joins With Reverends Van Leu of Mount Vernon and
Crumpton Of Tuckahoe In Sharing, Caring, and Prayer
Last Monday morning, January 19th, The Guardian was present when, on the 80th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth, some 130 residents of Mount Vernon joined Tony Castro and Reverend Van Leu of Mount Vernon’s Centennial Zion Church, as well as Reverend Crumpton, of Tuckahoe, for a breakfast under the tent in honor of the life and works of the martyred civil rights leader and advocate for non-violent protest.
Castro told the crowd, who had gathered despite 20-degree temperatures and snow-covered sidewalks, “On April 16, 1963, an American civil rights leader whose 80th birthday we celebrate today, wrote a letter from the city jail in Birmingham, Alabama.” Castro explained, "Imprisoned for his part in a non-violent protest, Dr. King patiently explained why his movement for justice simply could not wait, despite
the urgings of others.”
Referring to the inauguration which would follow on Tuesday in Washington, Castro said, “Tomorrow, America fulfills Dr. King’s dream of a nation rising up and living out the true meaning of its creed, ‘We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident, That All Men Are Created Equal.’”
He went on, “Tomorrow our president will be a man judged and chosen not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. Tomorrow the age-old barriers will fall Yet, tomorrow the struggle for social justice and civil rights goes on, even in the streets and courtrooms of this city and this county.” His reference was a clear reminder that people of color, Blacks, Latinos, and others for whom
Dr. King had worked so long, continue to be victimized by crime and violence in greater numbers in the streets of Mount Vernon and Yonkers, and often re-victimized in courts throughout the County.
Reverend Van Leu and Reverend Crumpton each made the point, with impassioned prayer and declarations, that although there was great reason to be gratified with the progress we had made as a nation, as exemplified by the election of Barack Obama, still there was much to be accomplished in the day-to-day existence of hard-working Black and Latino families with respect to treatment by government, and society generally. They emphasized the need to remain vigilant in the continuing struggle for human rights and dignity.
Interviewed by The Guardian, following the breakfast event, Tony Castro said, “There was a general feeling on the part of those who attended, of gratitude, accomplishment and hope. People were grateful that Dr. King’s dream was fulfilled in the election of an African-American president and, furthermore, that it happened in their lifetime.”
Asked how he would characterize the feelings of those with whom he spoke, pausing momentarily, Castro observed, “Despite all of the euphoria regarding the momentous and historic event, most acknowledged that much remains to be done, particularly in the area of social justice.
They expressed hope that the change promised to the nation by Barack Obama would be felt here in Westchester County, and that there would be greater respect for, and enforcement of, civil rights by those in a position to uphold and enforce the law.”
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Westchester Guardian/Janet Difiore/Rui Florim/The Court Report.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Difiore Punishes Victim of Yonkers Police Brutality
Rui Florim, Nearly Beaten To Death By Yonkers Police in Hartsdale,
Arraigned On Fabricated Robbery and Assault Charges
Westchester County Court, White Plains
Judge Barbara Zambelli, Presiding
Last Monday morning, November 10th, Rui Florim, accompanied by his attorney, Tony Castro, appeared in Westchester County Court before Judge Barbara Zambelli for arraignment, together with Defendants Alex Millan and Oscar Garay, accused of acting in concert, aiding and abetting each other in their alleged “intent to cause serious physical injury to another person,” by their assault on said individual, an
off -duty Yonkers police officer at a restaurant and bar near the waterfront in Yonkers in the early morning hours of May 19, 2006.
Mr. Florim is charged in only five of the seven counts contained in the indictment, including two counts of Second Degree Robbery, one count of Attempted First Degree Assault, Assault Second Degree, and Assault In the third Degree, as a Misdemeanor.
Analysis:
It should be noted that although the incident from which the indictment stems, occurred approximately two and a half years ago, Rui Florim was not indicted until very recently, following his ling of a Civil Rights lawsuit in United States District Court against the six Yonkers police
officers who, in civilian clothing, followed him from his place of employment, in Hartsdale, in unmarked Yonkers police cars, unlawfully stopping him, and his companion, forcibly removing him and falsely imprisoning him as they mercilessly beat him nearly to death.
While it is obvious that bringing the indictment against Florim was clearly a retaliatory act, one must not lose sight of the fact that the Westchester District Attorney, once again, as in the Irma Marquez case, has made the willful decision to abuse the awesome powers of
her Office, and the civil rights of still another victim of Yonkers police brutality.
Prior to proceeding with Mr. Florim, Judge Zambelli engaged in a considerable effort to determine that Attorney George Nader, who was purporting to be representing both Oscar Garay and Alex Millan merely for the purpose of the arraignment, was, in fact, doing so only
for the limited purpose of arraignment in light of the fact that Millan and Garay were not joined in their defense and could not be represented
by a single attorney.
After inquiring, “Mr. Castro, are you ready,” and receiving an affirmative response, Zambelli proceeded to explain to Defendants Garay and Millan, individually, their “right to unfettered legal representation.”
Following Attorney Nader’s explanation that Oscar Garay would actually be represented by Attorney Joshua Martin, Zambelli proceeded to relieve Nader from Garay’s case.
Content that the representation issue between Garay and Millan had been resolved, Zambelli next returned to Rui Florim’s arraignment, asking Tony Castro how his client would plead.
Castro responded, “I am entering a plea of Not Guilty, Your Honor. And, I am asking that the present bail be continued.” Assistant DA John Thomas, seeming to affirm Mr. Castro’s position, told the Court, “Other than two misdemeanors, Mr. Florim has no other criminal record.”
At that juncture, Judge Zambelli, who had earlier made a point of stating, that she had no prior knowledge of the case, now asked ADA Thomas, “Can you tell me why one case has been two and a half years, and the other has just come forward?”
Thomas responded that his office, only recently, developed “new evidence implicating Florim.” Tony Castro then offered, “Your Honor, my client is 25 years old. He has lived in Yonkers all his life. There have been fifty adjourned appearances and, he has made every one of them.
With that revelation, Zambelli turned to Prosecutor Thomas, asking, “Is that true Mr. Thomas?” Thomas responded, “I did say he made every appearance.” The Judge came right back with, “But you didn’t say fifty.” Zambelli then conferred with Nader, Castro and Thomas, establishing a Motion and Appearance Schedule between December 2 and February 10.
ADA Thomas then offered, “In view of the voluminous discovery material, the People are consenting to “open box” discovery. Zambelli then asked, “Is there any Order of Protection?” To which, ADA Thomas responded, “No, Your Honor.” The Judge then merely uttered a single word, “Interesting.”
Analysis:
It should be noted that a few days prior to his appearance in Judge Zambelli’s Court, Rui Florim, accompanied by his attorney, Tony Castro, had appeared in Greenburgh Town Court to answer to bogus charges of Felony Assault, allegedly by Florim, against three Yonkers police
officers, growing out of the incident in Harstdale, which actually involved six Yonkers police officers who, in fact, had handcuffed, falsely
imprisoned, and punched Rui Florim into unconsciousness as they transported him to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers.
Those false charges, again the fabricated lies of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, were totally dismissed as acknowledged by the signed affirmation of Assistant DA Thomas.
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Difiore Punishes Victim of Yonkers Police Brutality
Rui Florim, Nearly Beaten To Death By Yonkers Police in Hartsdale,
Arraigned On Fabricated Robbery and Assault Charges
Westchester County Court, White Plains
Judge Barbara Zambelli, Presiding
Last Monday morning, November 10th, Rui Florim, accompanied by his attorney, Tony Castro, appeared in Westchester County Court before Judge Barbara Zambelli for arraignment, together with Defendants Alex Millan and Oscar Garay, accused of acting in concert, aiding and abetting each other in their alleged “intent to cause serious physical injury to another person,” by their assault on said individual, an
off -duty Yonkers police officer at a restaurant and bar near the waterfront in Yonkers in the early morning hours of May 19, 2006.
Mr. Florim is charged in only five of the seven counts contained in the indictment, including two counts of Second Degree Robbery, one count of Attempted First Degree Assault, Assault Second Degree, and Assault In the third Degree, as a Misdemeanor.
Analysis:
It should be noted that although the incident from which the indictment stems, occurred approximately two and a half years ago, Rui Florim was not indicted until very recently, following his ling of a Civil Rights lawsuit in United States District Court against the six Yonkers police
officers who, in civilian clothing, followed him from his place of employment, in Hartsdale, in unmarked Yonkers police cars, unlawfully stopping him, and his companion, forcibly removing him and falsely imprisoning him as they mercilessly beat him nearly to death.
While it is obvious that bringing the indictment against Florim was clearly a retaliatory act, one must not lose sight of the fact that the Westchester District Attorney, once again, as in the Irma Marquez case, has made the willful decision to abuse the awesome powers of
her Office, and the civil rights of still another victim of Yonkers police brutality.
Prior to proceeding with Mr. Florim, Judge Zambelli engaged in a considerable effort to determine that Attorney George Nader, who was purporting to be representing both Oscar Garay and Alex Millan merely for the purpose of the arraignment, was, in fact, doing so only
for the limited purpose of arraignment in light of the fact that Millan and Garay were not joined in their defense and could not be represented
by a single attorney.
After inquiring, “Mr. Castro, are you ready,” and receiving an affirmative response, Zambelli proceeded to explain to Defendants Garay and Millan, individually, their “right to unfettered legal representation.”
Following Attorney Nader’s explanation that Oscar Garay would actually be represented by Attorney Joshua Martin, Zambelli proceeded to relieve Nader from Garay’s case.
Content that the representation issue between Garay and Millan had been resolved, Zambelli next returned to Rui Florim’s arraignment, asking Tony Castro how his client would plead.
Castro responded, “I am entering a plea of Not Guilty, Your Honor. And, I am asking that the present bail be continued.” Assistant DA John Thomas, seeming to affirm Mr. Castro’s position, told the Court, “Other than two misdemeanors, Mr. Florim has no other criminal record.”
At that juncture, Judge Zambelli, who had earlier made a point of stating, that she had no prior knowledge of the case, now asked ADA Thomas, “Can you tell me why one case has been two and a half years, and the other has just come forward?”
Thomas responded that his office, only recently, developed “new evidence implicating Florim.” Tony Castro then offered, “Your Honor, my client is 25 years old. He has lived in Yonkers all his life. There have been fifty adjourned appearances and, he has made every one of them.
With that revelation, Zambelli turned to Prosecutor Thomas, asking, “Is that true Mr. Thomas?” Thomas responded, “I did say he made every appearance.” The Judge came right back with, “But you didn’t say fifty.” Zambelli then conferred with Nader, Castro and Thomas, establishing a Motion and Appearance Schedule between December 2 and February 10.
ADA Thomas then offered, “In view of the voluminous discovery material, the People are consenting to “open box” discovery. Zambelli then asked, “Is there any Order of Protection?” To which, ADA Thomas responded, “No, Your Honor.” The Judge then merely uttered a single word, “Interesting.”
Analysis:
It should be noted that a few days prior to his appearance in Judge Zambelli’s Court, Rui Florim, accompanied by his attorney, Tony Castro, had appeared in Greenburgh Town Court to answer to bogus charges of Felony Assault, allegedly by Florim, against three Yonkers police
officers, growing out of the incident in Harstdale, which actually involved six Yonkers police officers who, in fact, had handcuffed, falsely
imprisoned, and punched Rui Florim into unconsciousness as they transported him to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers.
Those false charges, again the fabricated lies of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, were totally dismissed as acknowledged by the signed affirmation of Assistant DA Thomas.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Westchester Guardian/Tony Castro.
Strong Coalition Of Civic And Political Leaders Comes Out For Tony Castro
The Guardian was present Thursday evening, October 23, when more than 200 civic leaders, political leaders, and concerned citizens from all over Westchester, came together for a fundraiser organized by Friends Of Tony Castro, apparently for the purpose of showing their support for Castro and encouraging him to run for District Attorney.
The crowd was an amazing admixture of individuals from every political party and many civic organizations in the County, not to mention major law enforcement figures, including: Independence Party Chair Dr. Giulio Cavallo, Republican Party Chair Doug Colety, Working Families Party Chair Pat Welsh, and Conservative Party Vice-Chair Gene Branca.
Dr. Cavallo introduced Castro as, “The man with the experience, character, integrity and temperament to be a great district attorney of Westchester if he can be convinced to run again.” When he stepped up to the podium to address the crowd, it was obvious that Tony Castro was very moved by the outpouring of support. He acknowledged the encouragement and the confidence expressed by those present, thanking everyone for coming out. He told the gathering that he would certainly have to give serious consideration to running again for DA.
Castro declared, “The DA’s Office must have a professional relationship with police agencies, not a political one, to avoid any perceived or actual conflict-of interest.”
He went on to say that although he certainly appreciated the support of individuals engaged in law enforcement, he would, nevertheless, not seek endorsements from any department or association doing business with the District Attorney’s Office.
Castro remarked that he felt even more qualified for the position, having now spent considerable time on the defense side, seeing first-hand some of the District Attorney’s Office’s prosecutorial misconduct.
Other supporters present included Dr. Maria Munoz-Kantha, founder of Hispanic Women Leaders of Westchester, Peekskill Police Chief Eugene Tumolo, Harrison Police Captain Anthony Marraccini, White Plains Mayor Joe Delfino, former New Rochelle City City Council Member Roberto Lopez, President of New York State Chiefs of Police Chief Bob Pavone, State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, Attorney John Ciampoli, and numerous other prominent public figures.
The Guardian has learned that the event raised more than $100,000.00.
The Guardian was present Thursday evening, October 23, when more than 200 civic leaders, political leaders, and concerned citizens from all over Westchester, came together for a fundraiser organized by Friends Of Tony Castro, apparently for the purpose of showing their support for Castro and encouraging him to run for District Attorney.
The crowd was an amazing admixture of individuals from every political party and many civic organizations in the County, not to mention major law enforcement figures, including: Independence Party Chair Dr. Giulio Cavallo, Republican Party Chair Doug Colety, Working Families Party Chair Pat Welsh, and Conservative Party Vice-Chair Gene Branca.
Dr. Cavallo introduced Castro as, “The man with the experience, character, integrity and temperament to be a great district attorney of Westchester if he can be convinced to run again.” When he stepped up to the podium to address the crowd, it was obvious that Tony Castro was very moved by the outpouring of support. He acknowledged the encouragement and the confidence expressed by those present, thanking everyone for coming out. He told the gathering that he would certainly have to give serious consideration to running again for DA.
Castro declared, “The DA’s Office must have a professional relationship with police agencies, not a political one, to avoid any perceived or actual conflict-of interest.”
He went on to say that although he certainly appreciated the support of individuals engaged in law enforcement, he would, nevertheless, not seek endorsements from any department or association doing business with the District Attorney’s Office.
Castro remarked that he felt even more qualified for the position, having now spent considerable time on the defense side, seeing first-hand some of the District Attorney’s Office’s prosecutorial misconduct.
Other supporters present included Dr. Maria Munoz-Kantha, founder of Hispanic Women Leaders of Westchester, Peekskill Police Chief Eugene Tumolo, Harrison Police Captain Anthony Marraccini, White Plains Mayor Joe Delfino, former New Rochelle City City Council Member Roberto Lopez, President of New York State Chiefs of Police Chief Bob Pavone, State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, Attorney John Ciampoli, and numerous other prominent public figures.
The Guardian has learned that the event raised more than $100,000.00.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Westchester Guardian/The Court Report/Rui Florim/Janet Difiore.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Once Again, DA DiFiore Punishes Still
Another Victim Of Yonkers Police Brutality
The Guardian, in its August 14, 2008 edition, revealed that District Attorney Janet DiFiore was proceeding to prosecute a man, Rui
Florim, who was so badly beaten by Yonkers police officers two and a half years earlier, that it required 70 stitches and staples to close
the wounds to his face and head, not to mention five days in the Intensive Care Ward at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
We pointed out the fact that she had pursued a similar mode of operation with respect to Irma Marquez, the woman who Yonkers Police Officer Wayne Simoes had nearly killed by body-slamming her on the hard tile floor of a bar and grill on Palisade Avenue in Yonkers at 1:30am after her niece, who was struck on the head by another patron, passed out on the floor, requiring emergency medical attention.
Marquez was prosecuted, but acquitted of all charges following a jury trial. It did not matter to DA DiFiore, who had been shown the security camera videotape that clearly established Marquez’ innocence and the brutal insanity of Officer Simoes’ assault on her. It did not matter to DiFiore what had actually occurred because she had a predetermined response with respect to any and all cases of police brutality involving Yonkers police officers: Cover up the misconduct, both civil and criminal, of the Yonkers Police, and, charge the innocent, brutalized civilian victim.
That Guardian report, indicating that Florim had filed a federal lawsuit against the six police officers who beat him, the Commissioner,
and the Department, was two and a half months ago. Last Tuesday, word came down that Rui Florim had been indicted. That move was
like the behavior of a jackass, both stubborn and stupid. However, we must consider the source, and the motive.
It is indisputable that Janet Di-Fiore is unfit to be District Attorney for a whole host of reasons, perhaps none more obvious, and
disabling, than her incestuous relationship with the Yonkers Police Department; the Department that openly endorsed her; the Department that sponsored the rally at the Polish Center for her; and, the Department that provided “security” for the 330 voting machines ordered
impounded for her incredibly three days before the election of 2005.
If her conduct, in case after case of Yonkers police brutality, points to some unnatural power that that police department holds
over her, it’s only because they do. And, it’s not just about her “installation” as District Attorney three years ago, but other issues involving Janet DiFiore and the City of Yonkers as well.
Why else would she spit in the face of Justice, and proceed, more than two and a half years after the incident at Tyrone House, a bar near
the waterfront in Yonkers, to bring about an indictment charging Rui Florim with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Third Degree
Assault, and Second Degree Robbery. What, other than Florim’s recent filing of charges in Federal Court, has occurred to bring about his sudden indictment on trumped up charges? Her move was clearly retaliatory; an abuse of process designed to assist the six rogue Yonkers
cops, Commissioner Hartnett, to whom she owes other favors, and Mayor Amicone, with whom she is mixed up in other misbehavior in
retaliation against the Westchester Guardian, its Publisher and its Editor-In-Chief.
It was crystal clear that DA Janet DiFiore, even after viewing the shocking Marquez videotape, had absolutely no intention of prosecuting
Yonkers Police Of-ficer Wayne Simoes. In fact, were it not for the repeated public exposure of that tape, the federal prosecutors might
not have sought and achieved the indictment they now have against him for one count of Assault in violation of Ms. Marquez’ civil rights.
One cannot dispute attorney Jonathan Lovett’s observation two months ago at the time he filed a federal suit on behalf of Mr. Florim. Lovett
declared, “The DA is affirmatively encouraging police brutality.” As if to prove her mentality, it’s not as though she affords other police departments this same kind of wrongful protection, this same kind of cover. Consider her handling of Officer George Bubaris, of the
Mount Kisco Police Department, earlier this year. She sent her assistant DAs, including James McCarty, into court, “with their tanks on empty,” believing she could convince a jury that Bubaris was responsible for the death of Rene Perez, without a shred of evidence.
Consider, too, the secretive and disrespectful handling, from the very start, of the killing of Mount Vernon Police Officer Christopher
Ridley, her total manipulation of the grand jury; refusing to let them hear what many eyewitnesses, within a few feet of the incident,
reported; leaking out information on Officer Martin, while withholding information on his three fellow County Police Officers; redacting
portions of videotapes, and not releasing any tapes to the public. And, finally, refusing to return Christopher’s clothing and personal
effects to his family.
Back on August 14th we declared that the FBI and Justice Department needed to get involved. We asked, “How many more innocent men, women, and children must suffer under this sick, unjust scheme before DA DiFiore is apprehended and removed?” It is not unreasonable
to conclude, in light of her continuing, and predictable, cover up of Yonkers Police Brutality, that she has become a menace to public safety.
Numerous other innocent individuals have had violent experiences with the Yonkers Police, over the last three years, similar to what Marquez and Florim reported, with similar, if not identical, outcomes.
It is known to The Guardian that James McCarty, one of DiFiore’s top-level assistants, has been hard at work engaged in prosecutorial
misconduct, over the last two months, since the ling of Rui Florim’s civil action in federal court, attempting to intimidate and influence witnesses, amongst other forbidden acts. It is appalling that even when “caught red-handed”, such self-serving betrayors of the Public
Trust escape, free from any consequences.
One who would enforce the law must live by it!
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Once Again, DA DiFiore Punishes Still
Another Victim Of Yonkers Police Brutality
The Guardian, in its August 14, 2008 edition, revealed that District Attorney Janet DiFiore was proceeding to prosecute a man, Rui
Florim, who was so badly beaten by Yonkers police officers two and a half years earlier, that it required 70 stitches and staples to close
the wounds to his face and head, not to mention five days in the Intensive Care Ward at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
We pointed out the fact that she had pursued a similar mode of operation with respect to Irma Marquez, the woman who Yonkers Police Officer Wayne Simoes had nearly killed by body-slamming her on the hard tile floor of a bar and grill on Palisade Avenue in Yonkers at 1:30am after her niece, who was struck on the head by another patron, passed out on the floor, requiring emergency medical attention.
Marquez was prosecuted, but acquitted of all charges following a jury trial. It did not matter to DA DiFiore, who had been shown the security camera videotape that clearly established Marquez’ innocence and the brutal insanity of Officer Simoes’ assault on her. It did not matter to DiFiore what had actually occurred because she had a predetermined response with respect to any and all cases of police brutality involving Yonkers police officers: Cover up the misconduct, both civil and criminal, of the Yonkers Police, and, charge the innocent, brutalized civilian victim.
That Guardian report, indicating that Florim had filed a federal lawsuit against the six police officers who beat him, the Commissioner,
and the Department, was two and a half months ago. Last Tuesday, word came down that Rui Florim had been indicted. That move was
like the behavior of a jackass, both stubborn and stupid. However, we must consider the source, and the motive.
It is indisputable that Janet Di-Fiore is unfit to be District Attorney for a whole host of reasons, perhaps none more obvious, and
disabling, than her incestuous relationship with the Yonkers Police Department; the Department that openly endorsed her; the Department that sponsored the rally at the Polish Center for her; and, the Department that provided “security” for the 330 voting machines ordered
impounded for her incredibly three days before the election of 2005.
If her conduct, in case after case of Yonkers police brutality, points to some unnatural power that that police department holds
over her, it’s only because they do. And, it’s not just about her “installation” as District Attorney three years ago, but other issues involving Janet DiFiore and the City of Yonkers as well.
Why else would she spit in the face of Justice, and proceed, more than two and a half years after the incident at Tyrone House, a bar near
the waterfront in Yonkers, to bring about an indictment charging Rui Florim with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Third Degree
Assault, and Second Degree Robbery. What, other than Florim’s recent filing of charges in Federal Court, has occurred to bring about his sudden indictment on trumped up charges? Her move was clearly retaliatory; an abuse of process designed to assist the six rogue Yonkers
cops, Commissioner Hartnett, to whom she owes other favors, and Mayor Amicone, with whom she is mixed up in other misbehavior in
retaliation against the Westchester Guardian, its Publisher and its Editor-In-Chief.
It was crystal clear that DA Janet DiFiore, even after viewing the shocking Marquez videotape, had absolutely no intention of prosecuting
Yonkers Police Of-ficer Wayne Simoes. In fact, were it not for the repeated public exposure of that tape, the federal prosecutors might
not have sought and achieved the indictment they now have against him for one count of Assault in violation of Ms. Marquez’ civil rights.
One cannot dispute attorney Jonathan Lovett’s observation two months ago at the time he filed a federal suit on behalf of Mr. Florim. Lovett
declared, “The DA is affirmatively encouraging police brutality.” As if to prove her mentality, it’s not as though she affords other police departments this same kind of wrongful protection, this same kind of cover. Consider her handling of Officer George Bubaris, of the
Mount Kisco Police Department, earlier this year. She sent her assistant DAs, including James McCarty, into court, “with their tanks on empty,” believing she could convince a jury that Bubaris was responsible for the death of Rene Perez, without a shred of evidence.
Consider, too, the secretive and disrespectful handling, from the very start, of the killing of Mount Vernon Police Officer Christopher
Ridley, her total manipulation of the grand jury; refusing to let them hear what many eyewitnesses, within a few feet of the incident,
reported; leaking out information on Officer Martin, while withholding information on his three fellow County Police Officers; redacting
portions of videotapes, and not releasing any tapes to the public. And, finally, refusing to return Christopher’s clothing and personal
effects to his family.
Back on August 14th we declared that the FBI and Justice Department needed to get involved. We asked, “How many more innocent men, women, and children must suffer under this sick, unjust scheme before DA DiFiore is apprehended and removed?” It is not unreasonable
to conclude, in light of her continuing, and predictable, cover up of Yonkers Police Brutality, that she has become a menace to public safety.
Numerous other innocent individuals have had violent experiences with the Yonkers Police, over the last three years, similar to what Marquez and Florim reported, with similar, if not identical, outcomes.
It is known to The Guardian that James McCarty, one of DiFiore’s top-level assistants, has been hard at work engaged in prosecutorial
misconduct, over the last two months, since the ling of Rui Florim’s civil action in federal court, attempting to intimidate and influence witnesses, amongst other forbidden acts. It is appalling that even when “caught red-handed”, such self-serving betrayors of the Public
Trust escape, free from any consequences.
One who would enforce the law must live by it!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Janet Difiore.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Advocate
Richard Blassberg
DiFiore’s Incestuousness With Yonkers
Police Sacrifices Victims Of Police Brutality
Tony Castro Predicts, “It Will Come Back To Haunt Law Enforcement”
Nearly two years ago, in our September 21, 2006 issue, The Guardian blew the lid off years of Yonkers Police brutality, revealing an incident in 2005 in a front-page story entitled Mother, 72, Daughter, 49, Charge Yonkers Police Brutality. That story, which detailed the serious civil rights violations the Yonkers Police Department committed when they roughed up a middle-aged woman and her elderly mother, up behind Saunders High School, opened the floodgate to reports by residents, all over the City, and caused the sudden resignation and retirement of Police Commissioner Robert Taggart.
Within a week of the appearance of that story, President Karen Edmonson and Attorney Mike Sussman, of the Yonkers chapter of the NAACP, held a speak-out session at the Riverfront Library, attended by more than 125 persons, many of whom told about their own, and
their family’s, including mother’s and children’s, brutal encounters with the Yonkers Police, involving little or no provocation or justifi-
cation. Attorneys and law students from Pace Law School’s Criminal Justice Center, recorded their accounts which ultimately came to the attention the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
More than a year ago, the FBI, in response, announced that they were conducting a “formal investigation into allegations of police brutality in Yonkers.” The Guardian is aware of visits by FBI special agents to a number of victim/complainants, including Tina and Mary Bostwick, the mother and daughter subjects of our first report. To date, we are not aware of any reports having been issued, or af-firmative action having been taken by the United States Attorney’s Of-fice, or the FBI, that might impact the continuing, unlawful brutality, and false criminal charges routinely worked against innocent men, women and children by, perhaps, 20 or so rogue, violent police offi-cers out of a force of some 670.
Last fall, a second speak-out was held at the Riverfront Library; this time in the auditorium, a few weeks prior to the mayoral election. Mayor Amicone, who had been campaigning nearby, came in to the auditorium in an ill-advised attempt to whitewash and dilute the concerns of the diverse, but mostly minority, audience. He was quickly booed and jeered, and literally chased from the auditorium.
In case after case, the routine has been the same; Yonkers Police beating up innocent citizens, then charging them with Disorderly Conduct, Obstruction of Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, Assault Upon A Police Of-ficer, or any combination thereof, both to cover and provide justifi-cation for their own criminal, civil rights violations, and as “bargaining chips” intended to discourage civilian victims from lodging criminal and/or civil complaints.
The practice has been going on for many years; DA Jeanine Pirro, for the most part, looking the other way. However, DA Janet DiFiore
has literally become a co-conspirator with Police Commissioner Hartnett and Mayor Amicone in case after case, as in the Irma Marquez
case. Marquez, all but killed by a totally unjustified body slam delivered by Yonkers Police Of-ficer Wayne Simoes, on March 3, 2007, was charged and prosecuted by DA DiFiore for Obstruction Of Governmental Administration and Disorderly Conduct, an absolutely absurd response by the DA given the clear, indisputable evidence provided by a security camera videotape at the scene.
Those who might wonder why Janet DiFiore repeatedly abandons her sworn duty to protect innocent citizens in her rush to aid and assist
rogue Yonkers cops, while covering up the Department’s serious civil rights violations, need to understand that she has a deep indebtedness
to the Yonkers Police, given the circumstances surrounding her race for District Attorney against Tony Castro in 2005. In point of fact, Di-
Fiore, whose husband attempted to bribe Right-To-Life candidate Anthony DiCintio off the ballot, was nonetheless publicly endorsed by
the Yonkers Police Department.
They were the host department at the Yonkers Polish Center within days of the election at a rally by police brass from Harrison, Dobbs
Ferry and other departments. But, more importantly, and more suspect, they were the department assigned to secure the warehouse storage
facility on Saw Mill River Road, where more than 300 voting machines were impounded at DiFiore’s request; a request filed three days
before the election was even held. This writer, who was reporting at the time for Martinelli Publications, witnessed the recanvas of those machines.
Having been Tony Castro’s campaign director when, as a total unknown he came close to defeating Jeanine Pirro four years earlier, I quickly recognized the peculiar voting patterns revealed in the 2005 Yonkers recount, not to mention numerous machines with broken seals. Despite the so-called “Non- Aggression Pact” of 2001, where Andy Spano and Larry Schwartz, and Reggie Lafayette, and all their henchmen, were actually part of the “fix” to reelect Jeanine Pirro, I never doubted that she won by six points, actually receiving more votes than my candidate. I have never enjoyed that lack of doubt with respect to Janet DiFiore. Given the totality of the circumstances, what reasonably
intelligent individual could?
Finally, speaking of Tony Castro, exposure of Irma Marquez’ case, less than two weeks ago, with its shocking videotape, brought to mind his client, Rui Florim, now approximately 23, who was beaten by six Yonkers police officers approximately 2 years ago. The facts of his encounter are no less outrageous and egregious.
Florim, who had gotten off work at 10:30pm from O’Porto Restaurant in the Village of Hartsdale, Town of Greenburgh, was being driven home by a female friend, having just crossed Central Avenue when they were pulled over by flashing lights in a dark area of the roadway. Six Yonkers Police Officers, including one female, all dressed in civilian clothing, pulled Florim from his friend’s car. And, forcing him into their unmarked car, four of them beat him about the face and head mercilessly.
He was then taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, opposite Yonkers Police Headquarters, a hospital repeatedly used as the depository for victims of Yonkers Police brutality. He required 70 stitches and staples and five days in the Intensive Care Unit to recover. While he was in St. Joseph’s, Yonkers Police physically barred his family, and his attorney, from any contact with him.
Tony Castro represents Mr. Florim in State Court because, as with Irma Marquez, DA DiFiore is prosecuting him on trumped-up charges. Florim, will, no doubt, also be bringing an action in Federal Court. Castro told The Guardian, “The District Attorney’s routine response to Yonkers Police brutality is very short-sighted. She is not looking ahead to the long-term implications for juries and verdicts.
Jurors will learn what has been taking place. And, what has happened in The Bronx is what will happen in Yonkers, and all over
Westchester.” Castro went on, “It will come back to haunt law enforcement all across Westchester in the near-future. Their jury service is where citizens express their feelings about what they experience with police.”
Tony Castro, a former Bronx Assistant District Attorney, with 14 years experience, who trained hundreds of prosecutors, and who was
Deputy Bureau Chief of Homicides and the Grand Jury, was referring specifically to the preferential treatment DA DiFiore has repeatedly
shown the Yonkers Police Department at the expense of innocent citizens, as she has consistently been unwilling to investigate and prosecute their brutality against men, women and children. He is concerned that grand juries and trial juries will become so cynical and jaded that they will refuse to indict, or convict, in cases that are dependent upon police accounts.
The Advocate
Richard Blassberg
DiFiore’s Incestuousness With Yonkers
Police Sacrifices Victims Of Police Brutality
Tony Castro Predicts, “It Will Come Back To Haunt Law Enforcement”
Nearly two years ago, in our September 21, 2006 issue, The Guardian blew the lid off years of Yonkers Police brutality, revealing an incident in 2005 in a front-page story entitled Mother, 72, Daughter, 49, Charge Yonkers Police Brutality. That story, which detailed the serious civil rights violations the Yonkers Police Department committed when they roughed up a middle-aged woman and her elderly mother, up behind Saunders High School, opened the floodgate to reports by residents, all over the City, and caused the sudden resignation and retirement of Police Commissioner Robert Taggart.
Within a week of the appearance of that story, President Karen Edmonson and Attorney Mike Sussman, of the Yonkers chapter of the NAACP, held a speak-out session at the Riverfront Library, attended by more than 125 persons, many of whom told about their own, and
their family’s, including mother’s and children’s, brutal encounters with the Yonkers Police, involving little or no provocation or justifi-
cation. Attorneys and law students from Pace Law School’s Criminal Justice Center, recorded their accounts which ultimately came to the attention the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
More than a year ago, the FBI, in response, announced that they were conducting a “formal investigation into allegations of police brutality in Yonkers.” The Guardian is aware of visits by FBI special agents to a number of victim/complainants, including Tina and Mary Bostwick, the mother and daughter subjects of our first report. To date, we are not aware of any reports having been issued, or af-firmative action having been taken by the United States Attorney’s Of-fice, or the FBI, that might impact the continuing, unlawful brutality, and false criminal charges routinely worked against innocent men, women and children by, perhaps, 20 or so rogue, violent police offi-cers out of a force of some 670.
Last fall, a second speak-out was held at the Riverfront Library; this time in the auditorium, a few weeks prior to the mayoral election. Mayor Amicone, who had been campaigning nearby, came in to the auditorium in an ill-advised attempt to whitewash and dilute the concerns of the diverse, but mostly minority, audience. He was quickly booed and jeered, and literally chased from the auditorium.
In case after case, the routine has been the same; Yonkers Police beating up innocent citizens, then charging them with Disorderly Conduct, Obstruction of Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, Assault Upon A Police Of-ficer, or any combination thereof, both to cover and provide justifi-cation for their own criminal, civil rights violations, and as “bargaining chips” intended to discourage civilian victims from lodging criminal and/or civil complaints.
The practice has been going on for many years; DA Jeanine Pirro, for the most part, looking the other way. However, DA Janet DiFiore
has literally become a co-conspirator with Police Commissioner Hartnett and Mayor Amicone in case after case, as in the Irma Marquez
case. Marquez, all but killed by a totally unjustified body slam delivered by Yonkers Police Of-ficer Wayne Simoes, on March 3, 2007, was charged and prosecuted by DA DiFiore for Obstruction Of Governmental Administration and Disorderly Conduct, an absolutely absurd response by the DA given the clear, indisputable evidence provided by a security camera videotape at the scene.
Those who might wonder why Janet DiFiore repeatedly abandons her sworn duty to protect innocent citizens in her rush to aid and assist
rogue Yonkers cops, while covering up the Department’s serious civil rights violations, need to understand that she has a deep indebtedness
to the Yonkers Police, given the circumstances surrounding her race for District Attorney against Tony Castro in 2005. In point of fact, Di-
Fiore, whose husband attempted to bribe Right-To-Life candidate Anthony DiCintio off the ballot, was nonetheless publicly endorsed by
the Yonkers Police Department.
They were the host department at the Yonkers Polish Center within days of the election at a rally by police brass from Harrison, Dobbs
Ferry and other departments. But, more importantly, and more suspect, they were the department assigned to secure the warehouse storage
facility on Saw Mill River Road, where more than 300 voting machines were impounded at DiFiore’s request; a request filed three days
before the election was even held. This writer, who was reporting at the time for Martinelli Publications, witnessed the recanvas of those machines.
Having been Tony Castro’s campaign director when, as a total unknown he came close to defeating Jeanine Pirro four years earlier, I quickly recognized the peculiar voting patterns revealed in the 2005 Yonkers recount, not to mention numerous machines with broken seals. Despite the so-called “Non- Aggression Pact” of 2001, where Andy Spano and Larry Schwartz, and Reggie Lafayette, and all their henchmen, were actually part of the “fix” to reelect Jeanine Pirro, I never doubted that she won by six points, actually receiving more votes than my candidate. I have never enjoyed that lack of doubt with respect to Janet DiFiore. Given the totality of the circumstances, what reasonably
intelligent individual could?
Finally, speaking of Tony Castro, exposure of Irma Marquez’ case, less than two weeks ago, with its shocking videotape, brought to mind his client, Rui Florim, now approximately 23, who was beaten by six Yonkers police officers approximately 2 years ago. The facts of his encounter are no less outrageous and egregious.
Florim, who had gotten off work at 10:30pm from O’Porto Restaurant in the Village of Hartsdale, Town of Greenburgh, was being driven home by a female friend, having just crossed Central Avenue when they were pulled over by flashing lights in a dark area of the roadway. Six Yonkers Police Officers, including one female, all dressed in civilian clothing, pulled Florim from his friend’s car. And, forcing him into their unmarked car, four of them beat him about the face and head mercilessly.
He was then taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, opposite Yonkers Police Headquarters, a hospital repeatedly used as the depository for victims of Yonkers Police brutality. He required 70 stitches and staples and five days in the Intensive Care Unit to recover. While he was in St. Joseph’s, Yonkers Police physically barred his family, and his attorney, from any contact with him.
Tony Castro represents Mr. Florim in State Court because, as with Irma Marquez, DA DiFiore is prosecuting him on trumped-up charges. Florim, will, no doubt, also be bringing an action in Federal Court. Castro told The Guardian, “The District Attorney’s routine response to Yonkers Police brutality is very short-sighted. She is not looking ahead to the long-term implications for juries and verdicts.
Jurors will learn what has been taking place. And, what has happened in The Bronx is what will happen in Yonkers, and all over
Westchester.” Castro went on, “It will come back to haunt law enforcement all across Westchester in the near-future. Their jury service is where citizens express their feelings about what they experience with police.”
Tony Castro, a former Bronx Assistant District Attorney, with 14 years experience, who trained hundreds of prosecutors, and who was
Deputy Bureau Chief of Homicides and the Grand Jury, was referring specifically to the preferential treatment DA DiFiore has repeatedly
shown the Yonkers Police Department at the expense of innocent citizens, as she has consistently been unwilling to investigate and prosecute their brutality against men, women and children. He is concerned that grand juries and trial juries will become so cynical and jaded that they will refuse to indict, or convict, in cases that are dependent upon police accounts.
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