Yonkers Tribune

Allegations of Impropriety By Westchester County D.A. DiFiore Unproven By HEZI ARIS

YONKERS, NY -- May 29, 2012 -- In an article written by Chuck Bennett of The New York Post today, May 29, 2012, in an EXCLUSIVE reports, “DA Improperly Got Her Maid Welfare: Probe”, referring to Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. The article asserts Ms DiFiore “pulled strings” to obtain food stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid benefits for her family’s live-in housekeeper, and bases the foundation for these statements on an internal report obtained from Westchester County’s Department of Social Services by Dhyalma Vazquez, a county anti-fraud investigator, as well as, an officer of the Yonkers Independence Party and office holder with Westchester County Independence Party Chairman Dr. Giulio Cavallo.

INVESTIGATION: A Convoluted Tale of Corruption and Alleged Theft in Yonkers By HEZI ARIS

YONKERS, NY – The outcry is unnerving. It can’t be.  Perhaps it is. You decide.

In the transparent world claimed and espoused to have taken root within the function of government in the City of Yonkers under former Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone, the Yonkers Tribune / The Westchester Guardian have today concluded the definition of transparency as it was defined then. It is not a definition found in any dictionary. Even so, it unfurled, albeit without our knowing then, but its revelation today may demand redefining events and circumstances with respect to our newly gleaned facts and our hopes for conclusions that may better lead us into the future.

Investigative Report: The Grinch Who Stole Thanksgiving 2011 is Alleged to Be Lorraine Lopez By HEZI ARIS

 

Lorraine Lopez (left) and former Mayor Phil Amicone (right) during a past Thanksgiving Day distribution drive.>>>

YONKERS, NY – February 6, 2012 -- Lorraine Lopez worked as the food drive coordinator at the Yonkers Office of Constituent Services. It was claimed that under her aegis and effort over 3,000 Thanksgiving meals were provided in 2010.  The financial stress felt throughout the country also revealed itself in Yonkers. Donations were down, hunger continued to grip those who could not easily fend off the higher costs for food. The Thanksgiving table promised a beautiful table bedecked with trimming laid out about a roasted turkey placed in the middle of a table with family and friends about it, enjoying the meal and the company. 2011 would conjure images that would sate the stomach and quiet its growl of hunger pangs. And yet, despite the charitable donations and the empathy of many, the needy would not be served in 2011. They would be collectively dismissed by the now former Phil Amicone Administration; it seems Lorraine Lopez, in her presumed effort to comply with her yearly task, did not. The fact is that she solicited and received a donation of $8,000.00 from one donor. But rather than using it to serve those in need, Ms Lopez is said to have cashed the check, as permitted by a protocol set up by former Mayor Phil Amicone, through the Yonkers Parking Violations Bureau.

 

Yonkers Mayor Amicone’s Ineptitude Exposed in Alleged Firefighter's Theft of Gasoline Inquiry By HEZI ARIS

<<<Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone, Yonkers Fire Commissioner Anthony Pagano, and Human ResourcesCommissioner Brian Lucyk are on the same page. They want a Yonkers Firefighter alleged to have been involved in the stealing of gasoline approximately 13 months ago to be now fired. The accused individual will in approximately 3 weeks time have completed the required number of years of service on the force to qualify for his pension. TheYonkers Tribune / The Westchester Guardian have learned that the allegation against the accused individual are circumstantial and are not sufficiently solid to prove the allegation of theft despite what Yonkers Fire Commissioner Anthony Pagano advises will be the thrust of the legal actiontaken against this individual. There is a stumbling block before legal remedymay be sought, that is, the individual must go through his union to challenge the allegations made against him within 30 days of the filing and only then, may the administration proceed to prove their case.  

New York Court System Violates Civil Service Laws By HEZI ARIS

Political Antics or Tough Times? There are things happening in the New York Court system, including the New Rochelle, White Plains, and Yonkers courts many of our readers are unaware. Political battles and skirmishes, exacerbated by budget cuts have caused over 400 State workers to be laid off. The issue revolves about the manner in which these firings took place, rather than the redundancies themselves. The New York Court system has allegedly violated New York State Civil Service Law. The New York State Court system designates employees among four categories. They are:

Grand Jury Clears Police of Involvement in DJ Henry Shooting By Nancy King

It is the story that I have been dreading for nearly four months.  On February 14, 2011, a Grand Jury in Westchester County declared that the death of Danroy  DJ  Henry (pictured) to be accidental.  There will be no charges filed against Pleasantville Police Officer Aaron Hess and Mount Pleasant Police Officer Ronald Beckley.  In an official press release from District Attorney Janet Defiore’s Office, more than eighty five people testified before this Grand Jury that was seated on January 10, 2011.  Many of those who testified were Pace University students who were present outside Finnegan’s Bar and Grill in Thornwood, NY.  Also interviewed were the two passengers in the car and of course the four police officers who initially responded to the call.

Investigative News Breaking Report: Edward Maier Fired for Embezzling Salt Sale Proceeds By Hezi Aris

Political connection revealed in second paragraph.

Updated 11:10AM, January 26, 2011. 

Yonkers, NY -- January 25, 2011 -- Yonkers Tribune has exclusively learned of Department of Public Welfare (DPW) worker Edward Maier being fired today on allegations of selling salt purchased for exclusive DPW use. Mr Maier worked out of the Lake Avenue  DPW warehouse supervised by D.J. Ramondelli. Mr Maier was alleged to have sold truck loads of salt stored at Murrray’s Skating Rink to CIPS FENCE CO. INC., doing business as King Fence, among other buyers who possess no legitimate source of purchase . Mr Maier’s conduct had taken place over approximately five years duration. 

Political Gain Outflanked Public Duty in Choosing Aqueduct Raceway Developer

New York State Inspector General Joseph Fisch asserted top state legislative leaders and the governor's office solicited  campaign contributions and political advantage in the process of awarding lucrative video slot machine contracts for the benefit of Aqueduct racetrack to a consortium that was later found to be disqualified.  Download Report to the Governor on the Integrity of Those Seeking to Operate the Racetracks at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga

Ground Zero Mosque Investor Was Terror Contributor

Exclusive: Strange Bedfellows Concoct Political Retribution By Hezi Aris

 

Rogue or Republican Gallery?

Yonkers, NY -- The names are familiar to political junkies and operatives throughout and somewhat beyond Westchester County. They read like a "Who's Who!" in Westchester politics. They are (L-R): Westchester County Republican Committee Chairman Doug Colety, Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone , Westchester County Independence Committee Chairman Dr. Giulio Cavallo, Westchester Guardian Publisher and Developer Sam Zherka, John Fleming, executive assistant to the Mayor of Yonkers, Westchester County Republican Committee Second Vice Chair Christine Sculti, Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone's former Campaign Manager and present employee at City Hall, John Cerino, among lesser protagonists. They were stirred by Westchester County Conservative Party Chair Gail Burns upon her initial support for incumbent Westchester County Executive Andy Spano (Democrat) over challenger Rob Astorino (Republican, with known Conservative Party leanings). The pronouncement by Ms Burns yesterday afternoon that she had bestowed a Wilson Pakula upon Andy Spano was the catalyst that would ignite political ramifications that will bloody the landscape for years hence. A Wilson Pakula is an authorization given by a political party to a candidate for public office in the State of New York which allows a candidate not registered with that party to run as its candidate in a given election.

Inspector General Zisman Responds to Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Pierozaio Who Responds in Return

TO:

Rev. Gerald Sudick, President of the Yonkers Board of Education

All Board of Education Trustees

                        Bernard Pierorazio, Superintendent (pictured right)

 

FROM:         

Philip A. Zisman, Inspector General (pictured left)

CC:                

Philip A. Amicone, Mayor

Chuck Lesnick, City Council President

All City Council Members

Frank Rubino, Corporation Counsel

SUBJECT:    

Response to April 28, 2009 letter and Statement of May 1, 2009

DATE:           

May 5, 2009

            I write in response to the April 28, 2009 letter of Board of Trustees President Rev. Gerald Sudick, and the May 1, 2009 “Statement released by Superintendent of Schools Bernard P. Pierorazio on behalf of the Yonkers Board of Education Trustees.” (attached)

 

'Provisional' Employees Audited by NYS Civil Service Department

Yonkers, NY -- The Journal News article written today by Len Maniace states, “The state Civil Service Department is auditing the city's use of provisional employees - temporary workers who have not passed required tests - following criticism of several politically connected employees in the mayor's office.

“State Civil Service staff visited Yonkers on Jan. 26 and 27. The focus on provisional employees was prompted by Councilwoman Gronowski, D-3rd District, said agency spokesman David Ernst. Gronowski has criticized Republican Mayor Phil Amicone and met with state Civil Service officials over city workers who have exceeded the state's nine-month limit on their employment. Read the rest of the article >>>

Rules for Some; Not for Others By Hezi Aris

YONKERS, NY --It was August 2007 when Michelle Scofield drove to the pet shop to buy a Yorkshire Terrier (pictured left). She called her sister and when Jeannine Novelli met her at the pet shop, Jeannine fell in love with a Chihuahua. The sisters are single mothers of two children each, living at the coop located at 43 Bronx River Road. In September of 2007, friend and building Vice-President Board Director Bradley "Brad" Kasten became aware of the Yorkie when he stopped by Michelle Scofield’s apartment. Mr. Kasten became aware of Jeannine Novelli’s Chihuaha in November 2007. Ms Scofield was presented with notice of eviction by the building Board of Directors for allegedly having not abided by the tenets set by the Board of Directors. There are 18 other coop owners in the building who own pets, including Mr. Kasten who has a parrot.

Robert Surlack’s Conduct Unbecoming at the Office of General Services By Yonkers Tribune Acid-Tongued Bloggers and Hezi Aris

YONKERS, NY --Robert Surlak’s resume is superlative in the negative. He is the poster child for what is wrong in Yonkers. Imagine, three times imprisoned, allegedly intoxicated on the job while driving city-owned vehicles and his own pick-up truck, and still abusing prescription pain medication. His days have grown into a routine tolerated and enabled by the Office of General Services.

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Nada: The Cost of Doing Business in Yonkers – Such a Deal By Hezi Aris

“The drinks at X20 are 1/2 price because they do not pay any rent or utilities. They should be free considering the taxpayer is paying the bills!” - Comment on the Yonkers Tribune Website

YONKERS, NY – The Yonkers Parking Authority bills Zuppa Restaurant, and commensurately Peter Kelly’s “x2o,” and The Pier View a flat $200.00 fee per month. City Hall has advised on June, 30, 2008, that the Pier View Restaurant has yet to negotiate their contract with the Yonkers Parking; and that Peter Kelly's "x2o" restaurant pays $350.00 per month. With the alleged charge (cost) of $8.00 (not inclusive of a tip) for valet parking, that translates to 25 cars required to meet the $200.00 monthly nut, leaving 30 additional days with no other cost incurred for parking. Using a minimum 25 cars as the daily number of cars parked at the Buena Vista Parking Authority facility as a standard, and charging the customer $8.00 for valet parking, Zuppa Restaurant is making a profit of $6,000 every month; likely using the This while the cost of bonding the parking facility have yet to be paid off, when the city has incurred other debt, and raised the tax burden on the Yonkers citizen while disbursing corporate welfare to restaurant owners among our midst. If an individual were to buy a monthly pass to park at the Buena Vista facility it would cost a whopping $80.00.

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