BREAKING NEWS: Jereis and Annabi Found Guilty by HEZI ARIS

NEW YORK, NY -- March 29, 2012 -- The jury presiding over the corruption and bribery charges agains former Yonkers City Councilwoman Sandy Annabi and former Yonkers GOP Chairman Zehy Jereis found the respective defendants guilty on all counts made against them. Lawyers for the defendants are expected to file motions of dismissal by May 4, 2012.

The morning gave no evidence of the jury finishing its deliverberation. The expectation was for a verdict to be presented on Friday. And then, Court Clerk James O'Neill heard a few knocks made to be heard on the door separating the jury deliberation room and the court. Someon was heard to blurt out, "Lunch!" It was 11:30 a.m. After unlocking the door, Mr O'Neill would return to the courtroom proper and advise that the communication presented to him by the jury made note that the deliberation process had ended. No one in the courtroom was prepared for the finality that was to come about. Within less than five minutes, those with interest in the case would fill the courtroom. Relief and trepidation had enveloped the courtroom. The Hon. Colleen McMahon, District Judge, had entered the courtroom. It was she that officially advised the jury had completed their deliberation. The jury entered the courtroom while those in attendance stood in deference to the respect afforded them their role, Judge McMahon was the only one seated. The jury tooktheir seats, they were followed by those in attendance. The jury foreman was asked to stand and to attest that the jury had ended its deliberation and arrived at a unanimous verdict. They had. Judge McMahon asked what "Overt Acts" had they found? With regard to the following acts, the following were said to be found: The jury found Sandy Annabi and Zehy Jereis guilty of Count One based on Overt Acts... R: On or about June 9, 2006, Annabi and Jereis met No. 2 (Forest City Ratner) at a restaurant; and P: On or about July 25, 2006, Annabi sent an e-mail to her adminustrative assistant (Debbie Kayal) directing her not to put the Longfellow legislation on the list yet and to call "Z" (jereis) and let him know that the Longfellow legislation had to be revised; and I: On or about March 29, 2005, May 12, 2006, May 15, 2007, and May 14, 2008, Annabi submitted financial disclosure statements to the City of Yonkers that failed to disclose her receipt of financial benefits from Jereis, Mangone, and others. The reader should note that there were rationale noting scenarios listed as "A" to "Z," and even had space for other "overt Acts." Only R, P, and I were noted, and specifically in that order. Count Two: Conspiracy to deprive the City of Yonkers and its citizens of Sandy Annabi's 'Honest Services' - Annabi - GUILTY; Jereis - NOT APPLICABLE Count Three: Receiving corrupt payments - Longfellow. Annabi - Guilty; Jereis - Guilty Count Four: Making Corrupt payments- Specific opportunities... Annabi - Guilty Count Five - Making corrupt payments - Specific opportunities... Jereis - Guilty Count Six - Extortion under color of Official Right - Longfellow... Annabi - Guilty; Jerreis - Guilty Count Seven - False statement to a bank - Patton Drive... Annabi - Guilty Count Eight - False statement to a bank - Bacon Place Annabi - Guilty Count Nine - False statement to a bank - Rumsey Road Annabi - Guilty Count Ten = Subscribing to afalse tax return - 2005 Annabi - Guilty Count 11 - Subscribing to false tax return - 2006 Annabi - Guilty Court Clerk O'Neill found the ommission of a signature on the"Verdict Form," to which Judge McMahon specically polled each juror to ascertain whether they had indeed concurred in unanimaity with all the jurors. They each affirmed they were in agreement. Judge McMahon thanked the jurors for their effort. A call to have the verdict dismissed was placed into motion. The call to dismiss will have to be present to the court by May 4, 2012. Sentencing is to take place in June 2012. United States Attorney Preet Bharara said the following, “Today’s convictions of Sandy Annabi and Zehy Jereis on all counts are a victory for the citizens of Yonkers who – like all Americans – deserve fair and honest government, and not government driven by bribes and riven with backroom deals. These guilty verdicts are yet another clarion call to corrupt public officials and those who contemplate buying their influence, that we will do everything within our power to root out, prosecute and punish this conduct. It is conduct that erodes the public’s trust and confidence in government and poisons the legislative process.” William Aronwold, legal counsel for Sandy Annabi said he cannot see how the ruling could stand. Mr Aronwold contends the government had not proven its case.

Comments

[NO SpaNO]

Can't wait to see the SpaNO pr team IN City Haul go into full gear, with more of their bs stories.

The big question here is who's next?

[Bob Fois]

It is done.

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

-- Winston Churchill

Since the summer of 1992, myself and many others have pleaded with law enforcement to stop the deceitful madness in this city. Not even the tragic death of former Yonkers Mayor Nick Wasicsko or the murder of Jeff Balancio's son could rouse the interest of Federal, State, County and City law enforcement officials to do the right thing.

It all took too long and there's a lot more evil under the fingernails yet to be uncovered.

It's a start. It's about time. I'm not sure if it's too little, too late. It can't bring back some people but maybe it's a wake up call. I sure hope so.

The rest will on a lot of good people to start doing the right thing ... though I'm not holding my breath.

The past, indeed, is prologue.

[anon]

bet that the judges directs a verdict of not
guilty on the bribery count as to annabi....on
motion

[Bob Fois]

You still don't get it ...

... Federal prosecutors have wiretaps and surveillance on most of the key principles in Westchester politics. Are you just going to imagine or "spin" away the guilt and crimes here? Worse, you keep doing it anonymously.

We don't know yet what else the Feds know -- and what other trials might be forthcoming. This is just the beginning. There isn't a bunker deep or deceitful enough for the criminals in New York politics to hide. Despite how little it seemingly reaped in terms of measurable prosecutions, it's a good bet that the Governor of New York State will now be publicly compelled to expand investigations.

Stop spinning this.

The politics in this county is a corrupt waste of time. We failed for years to clean house. This is about all of us, including myself (as much as I tried to make a noise with others), failing to stop a lot of evil for too many years.

No more rationalizing it. This is a backward political environment we're dealing with -- and it's no wonder so much else takes so long.

Guilty. On all counts. And they're lucky that perjury wasn't added to the charges.

[Mavafanapoli]

Mike Spano will not finish a four year term.

Before it's over, both Zehy and Sandy will bury him in order to cut a deal.

[Onestlee]

Congratulations to Mr. Bhara and his team. The people are tired of corrupt politicians and their operatives picking the pockets of the citizens.

Now, can we get Forest Ratner to pay full taxes instead of a PILOT, or at least reduce the term of the PILOT to five years from ground breaking. This development and it's "new" type of zoning should do the right thing for Yonkers. We cannot depend only on tax revenue and low paying, no benefit jobs. We need for these developers to pay their share of real taxes, just like everyone else.

They cheated to pass this development so their tax breaks should be null and void.

[doughboy]

you guys need to get a life and learn to spell screw reagan that drunken mess too !

[I Love Nicky]

Poor poor doughboy Doughboy is that short for bag man? Poor little Spanoite Boo fu#*^ng Hoo!! That makes three! Three down and 267 to go!

[doughboy]

its sad to see so many assholes on one site spano is one of the best mayors this city has seen his aproval ratings are through the roof much better then the i'm a clown adm

[anon]

unless you are an attorney with inside information
about what the government does or doesn't have I suggest you refrain from making the statements you
make about the existance of evidence that has never
been revealed....and since you are not an attorney
you may not understand what the obligation of a Judge
in the US district court is...and that is to insure
that when a jury reaches a verdict if the verdict is
against the weight of the evidence she has the ability
and the obligation to direct an aquittal..i certainly
don't have any problem with the prosecution of municipal corruption in fact if you check the case law(if you know how) you will find that the standard for
conflict of interest by municipal workers was benchmarked in a case that I prosecuted 35 years ago
the government is entitled to mount a circumstantial
case..but those circumstances must only point to one
conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt..a difficult concept no doubt for you to fathom...however in a circumstantial case when there are two possible outcomes and one points to non guilt..any jury
that disregards that possibility is subject to a
directed verdict so before you spout off about how
corrupt the politics is in the county and the city
let's wait until the motions are made and the judge
makes a ruling...as for any other evidence I don't
see any other indictments do you?

[Doc]

Justice is served.

[Mavafanapoli]

The Judge personally thanked and shook the hands of the jurors.

Sure she thinks that they acted contrary to the weight of the evidence.

Mike E is soon to be finished too.

[W E Disney]

The Hezitorial: Prosecution Rests Without Going the Distance in Yonkers Corruption and Bribery Case By HEZI ARIS
Here's another late to the dance Hezitorial.
Guess they went far enough, eh Hezi?
Where am I to get my local news?
Hezi is no longer viable.
Snooze 12 would have you think all charges were going to be thrown out.
Were their reporters actually in the courtroom?
Are we to rely on Lisa Reyes' interpretation of courtroom testimony?
Was Hezi ever in the courtroom?
Where was Hezi's info coming from?
Must I go back to the Journal News?
News 12 .. Mickey Mouse TV
Yonkers Tribune ... Mickey Mouse blog

[anon]

amen brother,amen.

[LIONS AND TIGERS AND MAYORS, OH MY]

excuse me cartoon man but hezi is about the only one one in the media who was in the courtoom everday...

[hold on to your hats]

DOJ Press Release

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/March12/annabijereisverdictpr.pdf

"Mr. Bharara praised the work of the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. He added that the investigation is ongoing."

I hope so.

[hold on to your hats]

and from Atlantic Yards Reports

http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2012/03/in-yonkers-corruption-case-annabi-and.html

[ed viv]

i hear dee barbato is very proud of herself for calling them in on her friend sandy. Not the first time she turned on her friends. rat.

[He's Baaack]

Talk about a**holes, most of the people in Yonkers don't even know who the mayor is. BTW, aren't you related two the two most famous grifters in Yonkers. Can't sell "one of the most beautiful homes in Yonkers." Ha, ha, ha.
Like those sirens blaring all night and that beautiful school just across the way...what a loser you are doughboy

[Bobby]

Does this come as a surprise to you people? Her family has an arrest record that dates back to the 80's beginning with her father who served time for drug trafficing. Even the mother was involved.

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/824/1294/121900/

Her brother Sam that was seen in the courtroom today was also a former member of the Arabian Knights Posse Gang.

http://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/24/nyregion/gang-membership-grows-in-middle-class-suburbs.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

[Philly Blunt]

Snapple Fact 123
EdleFRAUD is a thieving
parasitic creature !!

[anon]

philly ..you are a jerk...plain and simple...
wait until the judge decides the motions to direct
a verdict..the law is the law

[Mavafanapoli]

Philly,

Mike E may be undergoing the same thing that the Jet Blue Captain recently suffered in that flight from Vegas to NY.

In light of the "reality" of what happened today, his denials are bizzare if not phsycotic.

Perhaps, when, his pals, Nick, Mickey and Al are put away, he'll be told about it in his place of convalesence.

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest ???

[WeWe]

If the federal judge thought there wasnt a case then why did she allow it to continue? Justice served.

[the facts]

hey mike edelman was the only one calling for the
removal of jeries when he was the city chairman
or don't you remember selective memory is realy
great