Another Not-to-Miss KRVC Event Coming Up Soon!
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Friday, July 1, 2016
A.G. Schneiderman Announces Indictment Of Political Consultant Steven Pigeon And Guilty Plea Of State Supreme Court Justice John A. Michalek
Supreme Court Justice Michalek Pleads Guilty To Felony Bribe Receiving And False Filing
Schneiderman: Anyone Who Breaches The Public Trust Will Be Held Accountable By My Office
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging political consultant G. Steven Pigeon, 55, with Bribery in the Second Degree, a class C felony; Bribery in the Third Degree, a class D felony; Grand Larceny theft by extortion in the Third Degree, a class D Felony; and six counts of Rewarding Official Misconduct in the Second Degree, a class E felony. Pigeon was arraigned today by the Honorable Donald F. Cerio, Jr. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond.
Schneiderman also announced the guilty plea of John A. Michalek, 65, a New York State Supreme Court Justice, in connection with the same alleged scheme, for receiving bribes from Pigeon, and for filing a false document with the New York State Office of Court Administration when he appointed a receiver who had been suggested by Pigeon. Michalek [pronounced MIKE-uh-lik] entered a guilty plea yesterday afternoon before Hon. Donald F. Cerio, Jr., in Erie County Supreme Court to two felonies, including Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree, a class D felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. In addition to entering the plea, Michalek submitted a letter of resignation to the Chief Administrative Judge, effective immediately.
Today’s charges stem from an ongoing public corruption investigation by the Office of the Attorney General.
“As we allege in today’s indictment, Steve Pigeon engaged in a multiyear scheme to bribe a sitting state judge in an effort to win access and favors for his clients and associates,” saidAttorney General Schneiderman. “I will not stand for this kind of brazen contempt for the rule of law and the interests of everyday New Yorkers. Anyone who breaches the public trust will be held accountable by my office. Our investigation is ongoing.”
Pigeon is alleged to have provided benefits to Michalek—including box seat tickets to Sabres games and a ticket to a $1,000 per head fundraiser—and agreed to help Michalek attempt to secure an appointment to the Appellate Division of the New York, in exchange for Michalek violating his duties as a judge. As alleged in the complaint, Michalek and Pigeon engaged in ex parte communication, during which time Michalek provided Pigeon confidential insight, and the opportunity to provide confidential input, into matters before the court. Those matters included active litigation in which Pigeon had an interest.
According to the complaint, during the course of their relationship, Michalek also appointed a Pigeon associate to a lucrative receivership. Michalek allegedly selected an attorney of Pigeon’s choosing to serve as a receiver, when that person was not on a court issued list of qualified receivers. In order to appoint that person, Michalek filed a document with the Office of Court Administration where he falsely claimed that he required that attorney’s expertise in handling that receivership.
The indictment also charges Pigeon with Grand Larceny by Extortion in relation to that appointment, by alleging that Pigeon illegally extracted an illegal $5,000 consulting fee from the same Michalek-appointed receiver.
According to the complaint, the communication between the two men shows that Michalek also sought Pigeon’s assistance in obtaining employment for one of his relatives and in seeking an appointment to a government position for a second relative.
Assistant Attorney General Susan H. Sadinsky of the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau and Assistant Attorney General Diane M. LaVallee of the Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau are prosecuting this case under the supervision of Public Integrity Bureau Chief Daniel Cort and Deputy Bureau Chief Stacy Aronowitz. The investigation was handled by Supervising Investigator Richard Doyle and Investigator Brian G. Ross of the Investigators Bureau, which is led by Deputy Chief Antoine Karam and Chief Dominick Zarrella, Senior Investigator of Major Crimes Christopher Weber of the New York State Police and Senior Agent Brian A. Burns of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Senior Analyst Robert Vanwey of the Attorney General’s Office also worked on the investigation. The Attorney General’s Office thanks First Assistant United States Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Guerra, III, Chief, Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office of the Western District of New York for their work on the case. The Attorney General’s Office also wants to thank the New York State Board of Elections Division of Election Law Enforcement and Chief Enforcement Counsel Risa Sugarman for their assistance. Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan leads the Criminal Justice Division.
The charges against the defendants are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Club KRVC - Magic with Adam Next Sunday, July 10th
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Assemblyman Mark Gjona - Happy Independence Day!
Keith Wright - It's Now Time To Serve
Now, it is time to serve.
We left everything on the battlefield. Yesterday, with Congressman Rangel and many community leaders in attendance, I congratulated Senator Espaillat on his historic win in NY-13.
Now it's time to focus on the fight for more affordable housing, criminal justice reform and more and better paying jobs for our neighbors. It's about unity and continued progress for the people. This race has always been about the community.
Since day one, the confidence of so many has been humbling and inspiring. Simply put, without you we would not have been able to run a race that pushed the envelope and heightened the conversation surrounding these important issues. I want to express deepest thanks for all of the support and encouragement you've shown me throughout this journey.
Thank you,
Keith L.T. Wright
Assemblyman Dinowitz Secures $125k for the P.S. 7 Playground
New York State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced he secured a $125k capital grant to modernize and improve the playground at P.S. 7, the Milton Fein School in Kingsbridge. The announcement was made at P.S. 7’s 5th grade graduation, where Assemblyman Dinowitz awarded the grant to P.S. 7 Principal Frank Paterson.
“I am very excited that I was able to secure this money for P.S.7,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Every year P.S. 7 is exceedingly generous when it comes time my office’s Annual Holiday Canned Food Drive, and I am pleased to give back to this incredible student body. Playgrounds like this one in Kingsbridge serve a great need in our community as they provide a safe and entertaining place for our children to play in the heart of their own neighborhood, which is exactly why the importance of investing in our schools and parks cannot be overstated. I look forward to seeing this project completed in the near future.”
Adam Clayton Powell - Thank you for your support
Now that the dust has settled in the campaign for the 13th Congressional District, I just want to say Thank You. I truly appreciate your support!
The results of Tuesday's election were not what we anticipated but we certainly gave it all we had. I lost the election but I gained a number of friends as we campaigned in every corner of this congressional district. We visited senior centers, greeted commuters at all 47 train stations in this district, walked the streets and attended dozens of debates, forums and community meetings.
Tuesday night I congratulated Adriano Espaillat on his historic victory and yesterday he invited me to his meeting with Assemblyman Keith Wright and Congressman Rangel. We all need to work with him to tackle the problems and concerns of the residents of Northern Manhattan and the Northwest Bronx.
Many have asked me: "Adam, what's next for you?". Not much will change. I will continue doing what I have been doing since I left the State Assembly six years ago. I am a Government Affairs Consultant specializing in all matters relating to -- but not limited to: Dept of Buidings & FDNY permits, Consumer Affairs licenses, State Liquor Authority applications, etc. I also consult with a security company and with an energy efficiency company. So my plate is full for now.
I don't know if running for office is in the future. Certainly I've had enough titles in my life, and don't need another one to be somebody. I am somebody.
Again, thank you for all you did during the last few months. We all benefited from your involvement in this democratic process.
All the best & enjoy your weekend,
ADAM