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Public Corruption

Judge Opens Bids For Virginia’s Top Prosecutor After Interim US Attorney Loses Authority Judge Opens Bids For Virginia’s Top Prosecutor After Interim US Attorney Loses Authority
Judge Opens Bids For Virginia’s Top Prosecutor After Interim US Attorney Loses Authority A federal judge in Virginia has opened applications for the region’s top federal prosecutor after the legal clock ran out on the Justice Department’s interim pick, leaving the powerful post officially vacant. Chief US District Judge M. Hannah Lauck entered an order on Tuesday, Jan. 20, directing the court to solicit candidates to serve as interim US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after Lindsey Halligan’s temporary authority expired without Senate confirmation. Halligan was appointed by the attorney general on Sept. 22, 2025, under a federal statute that limits interim US atto…
Ex-Nassau Probation Officer Admits Sexual Relationship With Probationer, Falsifying Records Ex-Nassau Probation Officer Admits Sexual Relationship With Probationer, Falsifying Records
Ex-Nassau Probation Officer Admits Sexual Relationship With Probationer, Falsifying Records A former Nassau County probation officer admitted to falsifying records and engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman he was supervising. Matthew Albertson, 43, of Smithtown, pleaded guilty to offering a false instrument for filing, a felony, and official misconduct, in Nassau County Court on Monday, Sept. 8. Albertson confessed to engaging in a sexual relationship with a female probationer between December 2021 and March 2022, including during a home visit, in violation of written Probation rules. An attorney for the probationer reported the relationship in August 2023 and provided …
Ex-North Bergen Housing Director Used City Vendors For Home Renovations: Prosecutor Ex-North Bergen Housing Director Used City Vendors For Home Renovations: Prosecutor
Ex-North Bergen Housing Director Used City Vendors For Home Renovations: Prosecutor A 63-year-old man who previously served as executive director of the North Bergen Housing Authority was charged with theft, authorities announced, Tuesday, Aug. 12.  Between January 2022 and June 2024, Gerald Sanzari, a River Edge resident, used city vendors to perform contract work at his private residence, Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello said.  Sanzari paid the vendors over $20,000 utilizing an account belonging to North Bergen Renaissance Urban Renewal, a component of the North Bergen Housing Authority, Mello said. Sanzari is charged with two counts of th…
Ex-Police Officer Extorts $9K From Salon Owner In Montgomery: Here's Her Fate Ex-Police Officer Extorts $9K From Salon Owner In Montgomery: Here's Her Fate
Ex-Police Officer Extorts $9K From Salon Owner In Montgomery: Here's Her Fate A former police officer who admitted to extorting thousands of dollars from an Orange County beauty salon has been sentenced, prosecutors announced.  Ally Thueson, 33, was sentenced on Thursday, July 31, to five years of probation in connection with the scheme, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Aug. 4.  According to the DA's Office, Thueson, a former police officer, had been employed by a beauty salon in Montgomery. In May 2024, she threatened the business's owner that she would make false statements on the internet that would harm the salon un…
Former State Auditor Steals $400K From Wallkill During Audit, DA Says Former State Auditor Steals $400K From Wallkill During Audit, DA Says
Former State Auditor Steals $400K From Wallkill During Audit, DA Says A state auditor from Dutchess County assigned to examine an Orange County town’s finances has been arraigned on felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $400,000 in public funds, prosecutors announced. Tobias Otieno, age 41, of Hyde Park, was arraigned this week on a felony complaint charging him with second-degree grand larceny as a public corruption crime, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on Thursday, July 10. According to Hoovler, Otieno is accused of stealing $405,843.25 from the Town of Wallkill between June 2022 and September 2024, while working as a…
Video Alleges Inmate, Deputy, Undersheriff Love Triangle In Sullivan, Sheriff Candidate Says Video Alleges Inmate, Deputy, Undersheriff Love Triangle In Sullivan, Sheriff Candidate Says
Video Alleges Inmate, Deputy, Undersheriff Love Triangle In Sullivan, Sheriff Candidate Says A viral video has sparked a political firestorm in Sullivan County, with a Republican sheriff candidate calling for multiple investigations into what he alleges is a “criminal case” involving top officials at the Sheriff’s Office.  In a statement posted Thursday, June 12, Sullivan County sheriff candidate Tim Dymond demanded that Sheriff Mike Schiff immediately suspend Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, whom he referred to as “Schiff’s handpicked #2,” pending an Internal Affairs investigation.  He said the video, shared last week on social media, “shows clear evidence of an improper…
Ex Cortlandt Town Employee Let Man Illegally Dump Near Fragile Wetlands: Here's Their Fate Ex Cortlandt Town Employee Let Man Illegally Dump Near Fragile Wetlands: Here's Their Fate
Ex Cortlandt Town Employee Let Man Illegally Dump Near Fragile Wetlands: Here's Their Fate A former municipal employee in Northern Westchester will spend time in federal prison for his role in a public corruption scheme that caused millions of dollars in damage to environmentally sensitive land, federal prosecutors announced. Robert Dyckman, age 53, of Verplanck, and the former Assistant General Foreman for the Town of Cortlandt, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for accepting bribes from a local business owner, 56-year-old Glenn Griffin of Cortlandt, in exchange for allowing illegal dumping at a town facility, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ne…
Teary-Eyed City Worker Who Forged Doctor Notes To Dodge Commute From Oakdale Gets Jail Time Teary-Eyed City Worker Who Forged Doctor Notes To Dodge Commute From Oakdale Gets Jail Time
Teary-Eyed City Worker Who Forged Doctor Notes To Dodge Commute From Oakdale Gets Jail Time A Long Island man who confessed to forging doctor notes in order to dodge his commute into New York City is facing jail time. Alan Anderson, age 55, of Oakdale, was sentenced to 10 months behind bars in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Jan. 28, after admitting to possessing and submitting forged doctor notes. Anderson, an employee at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), submitted 12 fraudulent doctor notes between February and May 2024 in order to avoid having to commute to his scheduled in-person workdays in Manhattan. Investigators found no valid excuses for hi…
$50K Scheme: Former Top Greenburgh-Graham Officials Spent Funds On Personal Items, DA Says $50K Scheme: Former Top Greenburgh-Graham Officials Spent Funds On Personal Items, DA Says
$50K Scheme: Former Top Greenburgh-Graham Officials Spent Funds On Personal Items, DA Says Two former administrators at a Westchester County school district serving at-risk students have been charged with multiple public corruption offenses after using $50,000 for personal items, prosecutors announced. Rockland County resident Oliver Levy, age 55, of Stony Point, the former superintendent of the Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District, and Surendra Kumar, 48, of Yonkers, a former security system specialist, were arraigned on Wednesday, Jan. 22, on charges including second- and third-degree grand larceny and corrupting the government, the Westchester County District Attorney's…
US Attorney Matthew Graves To Step Down Days Before Trump Inauguration In DC US Attorney Matthew Graves To Step Down Days Before Trump Inauguration In DC
US Attorney Matthew Graves To Step Down Days Before Trump Inauguration In DC Matthew Graves is stepping down as US Attorney for DC, his office confirmed, announcing that his resignation will be official as of Thursday, Jan. 16, four days before the presidential inauguration.  Graves has been in the role of DC's top prosecutor for more than three years following his confirmation by the Senate on Oct. 28, 2021, days before he was sworn in on Nov. 5, 2021.  “Serving as the US Attorney for the District of Columbia has been the honor of a lifetime,” Graves said, thanking Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, President Biden, and Attorney General Merrick Garland …
Former Hoboken Employee Embezzled City Funds Into His Own Bank Account: Feds Former Hoboken Employee Embezzled City Funds Into His Own Bank Account: Feds
Former Hoboken Employee Embezzled City Funds Into His Own Bank Account: Feds The former Hoboken Director of Health and Human Services admitted on Thursday, Dec. 12 to embezzling money from the city, authorities said. Leo Pellegrini, who also served as director of the Department of Environmental Services diverted payments intended for the city to bank accounts he controlled, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Pellegrini also embezzled money from the city by submitting invoices for his personal business expenses, which the city unknowingly paid, Sellinger said. Pellegrini also pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return in Newark Federal Court. Pellegrini's position …
Union Mailman Found Guilty Of Taking Bribes To Transport Drugs: Feds Union Mailman Found Guilty Of Taking Bribes To Transport Drugs: Feds
Union Mailman Found Guilty Of Taking Bribes To Transport Drugs: Feds A 49-year-old former mailman and Union resident was convicted in federal court on Thursday, Aug. 15 of taking bribes to deliver drugs through the mail, authorities said.  For five years, from 2015 to 2010, Emerson Pavilus received cash payments in exchange for helping individuals intercept packages containing illegal narcotics and other illicit materials while working as a mailman in Flanders, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Pavilus provided his conspirators with addresses for vacant houses along his mail route to which they could ship illegal packages, Sellinger said. P…
Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Greenburgh-Graham District, DA Says Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Greenburgh-Graham District, DA Says
Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Greenburgh-Graham District, DA Says A former superintendent and security system specialist face corruption charges after allegedly stealing thousands from the Westchester school district they served and using the funds to buy luxury items for themselves, officials announced. Former Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District Superintendent Oliver Levy, age 55, and the district's former security specialist, Surendra Kumar, age 47, were both arrested and arraigned on Thursday, May 30 in connection with the scheme, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli ann…
Former Police Officer In Hudson Valley Sentenced For Extorting Prostitution Rings For Sex Former Police Officer In Hudson Valley Sentenced For Extorting Prostitution Rings For Sex
Former Police Officer In Hudson Valley Sentenced For Extorting Prostitution Rings For Sex A former Hudson Valley police officer will spend time in prison for protecting prostitution businesses from law enforcement activity in exchange for free sexual services, federal officials announced. Ulster County resident Wayne Peiffer of Highland, a former officer in Putnam County who worked for the Village of Brewster Police Department, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for protecting two Queens-based prostitution rings, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York announced on Thursday, May 2.  According to federal officials, between 2010 and October 2018, …
Ex-Western Mass Police Chief Charged With Embezzling Town Funds Ex-Western Mass Police Chief Charged With Embezzling Town Funds
Ex-Western Mass Police Chief Charged With Embezzling Town Funds The former police chief in Franklin County has been charged with stealing money and equipment set aside for his department, authorities said.  Daniel J. Galvis, the former police chief for the Leyden Police Department, was indicted on two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, 2 counts of larceny over $1,200, and 3 counts of violating the standards of conduct for public employees, the Northwestern District Attorney said.  He was released on his own recognizance after the hearing, authorities said.  A 2022 Office of the Inspector General investigation found that Galv…
Former Jersey Shore Mayor Sentenced For Taking Money From Parking Meters, Government Auctions Former Jersey Shore Mayor Sentenced For Taking Money From Parking Meters, Government Auctions
Former Jersey Shore Mayor Sentenced For Taking Money From Parking Meters, Government Auctions A former mayor of Ocean Gate will spend time in state prison for pocketing money from government auctions, parking meter funds, and scrap metal sales, authorities said. Paul Kennedy, 68, of Ocean Gate, was sentenced on Friday, Jan. 26 to three years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced. Kennedy pleaded guilty on Friday, Sept. 22 to pattern of official misconduct. As part of his plea deal, Kennedy is banned from holding public office or employment. Investigators said that while he was mayor, Kennedy took money from borough assets sold on the government auc…
NJ Town Employee Pocketed $10K In Utility Payments: Prosecutor NJ Town Employee Pocketed $10K In Utility Payments: Prosecutor
NJ Town Employee Pocketed $10K In Utility Payments: Prosecutor A Tuckerton Borough utility collector has been arrested on accusations she stole $10,000 from the municipality. Jennifer Docherty, 46, of West Creek, failed pocketed proceeds from the tax, water, and sewer payments for the borough between June 2018 and June 2023, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Docherty surrendered to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in the presence of her attorney on Monday, Nov. 21. She was processed and served with the charge via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.  She was charged with theft by f…
Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG
Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG Clark Township Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso was charged Monday, Nov. 20 with forging paperwork to nearly 24 New Jersey towns to allow his landscaping company to remove underground tanks, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Bonaccorso, 63, used township employees to help him run his private business, Bonaccorso and Son LLC, along with township devices like computers and fax machines, Platkin said following an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability Corruption Bureau. While running his business, Bonaccorso posed as an engineer, using his name, license num…
Jersey Shore Woman Charged With Stealing $195K From Former Employer: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Woman Charged With Stealing $195K From Former Employer: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Woman Charged With Stealing $195K From Former Employer: Prosecutor An Ocean County woman is accused of stealing nearly $200,000 from her former employer in Monmouth County, authorities said. Jessica L. Schott, 44, of Point Pleasant, was charged with theft by unlawful taking, forgery and false uttering, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said on Tuesday, Nov. 14. An investigation by the MCPO Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau began earlier this year after a tip from a Wall Township-based company that used to employ Schott, Santiago said. The prosecutor did not name the company. A review of the company’s financial…
Ex-Methuen Police Chief, Detective Charged With Corruption, More: State Attorney Ex-Methuen Police Chief, Detective Charged With Corruption, More: State Attorney
Ex-Methuen Police Chief, Detective Charged With Corruption, More: State Attorney The former Methuen police chief and one of the department's ex-detectives have been indicted on a litany of charges, including public corruption and fraud, state officials announced Thursday evening, Sept. 28.  Ex-Police Chief Joseph Solomon was charged after a monthslong investigation over how he ran the department. State Attorney General Andrea Campbell said in a statement that he continuously abused his position and misused public money to benefit himself.  The investigation demonstrated that Solomon had repeatedly misused his position of authority as police chief to repea…
Wildwood Mayor Admits Tax Dodge: Feds Wildwood Mayor Admits Tax Dodge: Feds
Wildwood Mayor Admits Tax Dodge: Feds Wildwood Mayor Peter J. Byron admitted Friday that he ducked paying taxes on $40,425 that he received for working as a salesman for a law firm, federal authorities said. Byron, 67, officially pleaded guilty to twice willfully "aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent tax returns" to the IRS for calendar years 2017 and 2018, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on March 24. The mayor still has a state case to deal with. He, former Mayor Ernest V. Troiano Jr. and City Commissioner Steven E. Mikulski were charged last year with fraudulently collecting stat…
NJ Borough's Dem Leader Took Cash In Attempt To Influence Criminal Case: Prosecutor NJ Borough's Dem Leader Took Cash In Attempt To Influence Criminal Case: Prosecutor
NJ Borough's Dem Leader Took Cash In Attempt To Influence Criminal Case: Prosecutor The chairman of Sayreville's Democratic party and employee with the NJ Turnpike Authority has been charged with accepting thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for "influencing a a criminal case," authorities said. Thomas V. Pollando — the borough's former council president and current VP of the Middlesex County Planning Board — was caught between July and August 2022 accepting the cash and saying he'd attempt to use his political clout to influence an ongoing criminal case, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone  said. Pollando, 72, of Parlin, served as the long-time pres…
Maryland Delegate Busted For Theft, Embezzlement For Misusing State Funds: Prosecutor Maryland Delegate Busted For Theft, Embezzlement For Misusing State Funds: Prosecutor
Maryland Delegate Busted For Theft, Embezzlement For Misusing State Funds: Prosecutor A Maryland delegate is facing charges of abusing his office and misusing state funds, according to top prosecutor Charlton Howard III announced. In Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Richard K. Impallaria, Maryland State Delegate representing District 7, was charged with multiple counts of misconduct in office, felony theft, and embezzlement, prosecutors announced on Wednesday, July 27. It is alleged that Impallaria facilitated rental payments from the General Assembly to his personal landlord by using state funding for a “district office” that was actually a building outside of his dis…
Former NYPD Union Head From Long Island Charged WIth Fraud Former NYPD Union Head From Long Island Charged WIth Fraud
Former Nypd Union Head From Long Island Charged WIth Fraud A former high-ranking NYPD union leader from Long Island is facing charges for allegedly defrauding his union and its members, federal authorities announced. Nassau County resident Edward Mullins, age 60, of Port Washington, the former president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), which represents all current and former servants in the NYPD, was charged in federal court with fraud in connection to a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. US Attorney Damian Williams said that Mullins allegedly ran the scheme through the SBA through the submission of fraudulent expense r…
Former Chief Deputy Nassau County Exec Sentenced For Obstructing Justice Former Chief Deputy Nassau County Exec Sentenced For Obstructing Justice
Former Chief Deputy Nassau County Exec Sentenced For Obstructing Justice A former top elected official on Long Island will spend time behind bars after admitting to accepting a cash payment from a contractor and then attempting to cover it up amidst a federal probe, authorities announced. Hicksville resident Richard “Rob” Walker, age 43, the former Chief Deputy County Executive under former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in 2019 to obstruction of justice following his attempted cover-up. In addition to his prison sentence, Walker was also ordered to pay a $5,000 forfeiture, was fined $5,500, and …
Here's How Much Cuomo Will Be Collecting In Pension Payments Each Month Here's How Much Cuomo Will Be Collecting In Pension Payments Each Month
Here's How Much Cuomo Will Be Collecting In Pension Payments Each Month Andrew Cuomo is no longer sitting inside the Governor’s Mansion in Albany, but he is still collecting a hefty paycheck from New York State. The embattled former governor, who resigned over the summer following an investigation into nearly a dozen of complaints of sexual harassment, received his first pension check last month to the tune of $4,219.11, according to the New York State comptroller’s office. His first payment was sent in October 2021, officials said. Cuomo's annual benefits add up to $50,629.32, which he will get the amount for the rest of his life, plus future cost of living …
Former Phillipsburg Council Vice President Indicted For Criminal Coercion: Prosecutor Former Phillipsburg Council Vice President Indicted For Criminal Coercion: Prosecutor
Former Phillipsburg Council Vice President Indicted For Criminal Coercion: Prosecutor A former Phillipsburg council vice president recently charged for misusing the 911 system has been indicted for official misconduct and criminal coercion, authorities announced Friday. Frank McVey, 57, is accused of threatening Mayor Todd Tersigni following a “broader investigation into public corruption in Phillipsburg,” Warren County Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer said in a release. McVey threatened Mayor Tersigni in an attempt to blackmail him and make him unable to conduct his elected duties without getting approval beforehand, according to the prosecutor’s office. McVey also said he wou…
Pennsylvania Police Officer Charged With Selling Impounded Vehicle Pennsylvania Police Officer Charged With Selling Impounded Vehicle
Pennsylvania Police Officer Charged With Selling Impounded Vehicle A Chester police officer was charged Wednesday for selling an impounded vehicle, authorities said. In Aug. 2020, Robert Shaughnessy, 35, gave a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a police-seized blue 2013 Yamaha ATV to another person so they could create a forged bill of sale and illegally take possession of the vehicle, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Shaughnessy, of Collingdale, also used his police credentials to check the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) to ensure that the ATV was not reported stolen, authorities said. CLEAN access…
Former Kennett Township Manager Gets Prison Time For Stealing $3 Million In Taxpayer Funds: DA Former Kennett Township Manager Gets Prison Time For Stealing $3 Million In Taxpayer Funds: DA
Former Kennett Township Manager Gets Prison Time For Stealing $3 Million In Taxpayer Funds: DA Kennett Township's former manager is facing time behind bars for stealing more than $3 million in taxpayer funds and spending it on personal expenses, authorities said. Lisa Moore, 48, of Dewey Beach, DE, was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison on charges of theft by deception, dealing in unlawful proceeds, forgery, tampering with public records, and related offenses. She embezzled a total of $3,249,453 from the township between 2013 and 2019, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office. Moore, who was hired by the township in 1997 and became Township Manager in 20…
Suffolk County IT Supervisor Accused Of Using County Resources To Mine Cryptocurrency Suffolk County IT Supervisor Accused Of Using County Resources To Mine Cryptocurrency
Suffolk County IT Supervisor Accused Of Using County Resources To Mine Cryptocurrency An information technology supervisor was arrested and accused of running a cryptocurrency mining operation out of Suffolk County offices, costing the county thousands of dollars in electricity.  Christopher Naples, age 42, of Mattituck, was arraigned on multiple felony charges Wednesday, Sept. 8, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini. Sini said Naples was charged with the following: Public corruption Third-degree grand larceny  Computer trespass Official misconduct “Mining cryptocurrency requires an enormous amount of resources, and miners have to navigate h…
Northern Westchester Waste Hauler Charged With Falsifying Financials To Spend At Strip Clubs Northern Westchester Waste Hauler Charged With Falsifying Financials To Spend At Strip Clubs
Northern Westchester Waste Hauler Charged With Falsifying Financials To Spend At Strip Clubs The manager of a company that provides solid waste removal and recyclables in Westchester County is facing charges for allegedly falsifying financial data to cover up exorbitant spending at strip clubs, the District Attorney announced. Westchester County DA Mimi Rocah announced that Darien resident Christopher Oxer, a manager at City Carting of Westchester, which receives more than $20 million annually under its contract with the county, is facing charges for falsifying financial data in an attempt to dupe a monitor tasked with overseeing that contract. Under a contract with the county tha…