THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

More Anxiety: Tighter Security Ahead: Governor

Posted on September 21, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. September 21, 2014:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo met Friday with Legislative Leaders to announce a coordinated increase in security and law enforcement personnel at mass transit sites in the New York City region. This announcement is being made out of an abundance of caution, given the undeniable increase of terrorist activity abroad. The precautionary surge is also based on the fact that New York City continues to be a high-profile terrorist target as one of the world’s top destinations for travelers, as well as the premier hub for business and commerce in the region.

As part of this effort, Governor Cuomo is directing the heads of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the New York State Police, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to increase security at mass transit sites like LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, and stations along the Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road.

“When it comes to public safety, our responsibility in government is to be ready, be prepared, and anticipate the worst – and that is exactly what we are doing today,” Governor Cuomo said. “While we have not received any credible threats, New York City is an international symbol of tolerance and resilience, and therefore continues to be a top target for terrorists. With that in mind and in light increasing terrorist activity overseas, we are increasing security measures across the board at mass transit sites in the region. New Yorkers should rest assured knowing that public safety is our highest priority, and we will do whatever we need to do in order to keep our communities safe.”

Effective earlier this week, the Port Authority redeployed PAPD and K-9 resources at its facilities including increasing bag checks and on and off train checks throughout the PATH system. The Authority has also increased PAPD presence at JFK and LaGuardia Airports including close coordination with El Al at JFK, and has increased PAPD coverage at the agency’s bridges and tunnels, World Trade Center site, Port Authority Bus Terminal and ports.

The MTA is also operating under a heightened level of awareness, by both redeploying existing resources and adding additional overtime coverage, with the primary focus including Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. This includes an increase in MTA police presence both on trains and in stations, alongside increased bag checks and K-9 patrols.

The New York National Guard will increase the number of Soldiers and Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force Empire Shield, the National Guard security force which operates in New York City. The task force members work daily with the MTA Police Department, Port Authority Police Department, Amtrak Police and New York City Police Department to provide security at New York City transportation hubs. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen on duty in these transportation hubs provide federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with additional eyes on the ground.

Today’s announcement comes as the New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the New York State Police are leading an internal review of current safety and security procedures. This review is part of a joint effort with New Jersey and federal officials to increase cooperation and preparedness in the face of heightened terrorist activity and increasing tensions between the United States and international terrorist networks.

Montefiore and White Plains Announce Partnership One Step Closer. Deny it is a “Takeover” or “Merger.”

Posted on September 19, 2014 by John Bailey

White Plains Hospital on West Post Road, White Plains, New York USA

WPCNR HEALTH CARING. From Harrison Edwards Public Relations. (EDITED) September 19, 2014:

Today, White Plains Hospital and the Montefiore Health System announced that their affiliation agreement was unanimously approved by the Project Review Committee of the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council. The full council will review the agreement in October when the agreement is expected to be final.

Through this innovative partnership, White Plains Hospital will become a member of the Montefiore Health System. The partnership will enable White Plains Hospital to continue to expand its clinical services while retaining its culture of high quality, personalized healthcare.

In the letter acompanying this news release, from Jeannie M. Ashford of Harrison Edwards Public Relations for White Plains Hospital and Montefiore emphasized, in red and bold type to WPCNR:

“that it is factually incorrect to use the term “merger” or “takeover” in describing the proposed transaction. It can be referred to as an “alliance” or “partnership.” There is a legal difference between these two sets of terms.”

WPCNR should point out to readers that the description of this proposed partnership filed with the Project Review Committee of the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council, states:

“Montefiore Health System, Inc., requesta approval to become the active parent and co-operator of White Plains Hospital. The proposed project, as described, does not result in any immediate changes in services at White Plains Hospital, in the projected utilization and staffing, or in any restructuring.”

“The applicant (Montefiore Health System, Inc.) will exercise the following active powers”

* Approve the appointment of WPH (White Plains Hospital) management level employees (Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Financial Officer).

* Approve White Plains Hospital operating and capital budgets.

* Approve White Plains Hospital operating polices and procedures.

* Approve certificate of need applications.

* Approve White Plains Hospital debt necessary to finance the cost of compliance with operational or physical plant standards required by law.

* Approve hospital contractss for management or for clinical services, other than in the ordinary course of business.

* Approve settements of administrative proceedings or litigation to which White Plains Hospital is a party that may have a material adverse impact on WPH or MHS.”

Jon Schandler in April, 2014 appearing on White Plains Television’s PEOPLE TO BE HEARD, Westchester’s most relevant Interview Program

“The relationship we are embarking on with Montefiore will be a partnership, designed with many benefits to both sides,” said Jon B. Schandler, C.E.O. of White Plains Hospital, who is retiring in January said, “We will continue to treat patients close to home, in a setting where physicians, nurses, and staff consider them to be family. White Plains Hospital will continue to provide exceptional care for our community, and with Montefiore as our partner, we are well positioned to provide advanced community based health care well into the future.”

Montefiore brings to the partnership its academic and research expertise as the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine; clinical expertise, including its notable Centers of Excellence in cancer care, cardiovascular services, transplantation and children’s health; and decades of experience in comprehensive care management to improve health and make care more affordable.

“This agreement will make White Plains Hospital the regional hub of Montefiore’s Westchester care network,” said Steven M. Safyer, M.D., President and CEO of Montefiore Health System. “Working with the private-practice physician community and other providers, Montefiore and White Plains Hospital will offer Westchester residents a well-coordinated system of care and the benefits of Montefiore’s innovative, integrated care delivery system and academic partnership with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.”

In April, White Plains Hospital and the Montefiore Health System signed formal documents outlining the partnership.

(Editor’s Note, the legal definition of a merger is in corporate law:

merger n. 1) in corporate law, the joining together of two corporations in which one corporation transfers all of its assets to the other, which continues to exist. In effect one corporation “swallows” the other, but the shareholders of the swallowed company receive shares of the surviving corporation. A merger is distinguished from a”consolidation” in which both companies join together to create a new corporation.

OR:

The combination or fusion of one thing or right into another thing or right of greater or larger importance so that thelesser thing or right loses its individuality and becomes identified with the greater whole.

Legal Definition of a Takeover (Legal Dictionary):

To assume control or management of a corporation without necessarily obtaining actual title to it.

About Montefiore Health System

Montefiore Health System is a premier academic health system and the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Combining nationally-recognized clinical excellence with a population health perspective that focuses on the health needs of communities, Montefiore delivers coordinated, compassionate, science-driven care where, when and how patients need it most. Montefiore consists of six hospitals and an extended care facility with a total of 2,059 beds, a School of Nursing, and state-of-the-art primary and specialty care provided through a network of more than 150 locations across the region, including the largest school health program in the nation and a home health program. For more information please visit www.montefiorehealthsystem.org. Follow us on Twitter; like us on Facebook; view us on YouTube.

About White Plains Hospital

White Plains Hospital (WPH) is a 292-bed not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of providing exceptional acute and preventive medical care to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. Centers of Excellence include the Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center, The William & Sylvia Silberstein Neonatal & Maternity Center and The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel Stroke Center. The Hospital’s Flanzer Emergency Department is the busiest in Westchester County, seeing over 55,000 visits a year. White Plains Hospital is the only community hospital in Westchester County licensed to perform lifesaving emergency & elective angioplasty in its Joan and Alan Herfort, M.D. Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. The Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and earned its recognition as a Top Performer for Key Quality Measures® in 2013. The Hospital is also an eleven-time winner of the Consumer Choice Award, an honor given to the nation’s top hospitals by the National Research Corporation, and received Magnet® designation in 2012 from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). In 2014 White Plains Hospital received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades®, given to only 5% of hospitals nationwide. For additional information, visit http://www.wphospital.org.

WHITE PLAINS WEEK THIS WEEK WORLDWIDE: MONTEFIORE TAKES WHITE PLAINS HOSP–BOE SACKS FASNY–WP BANKS ID THEFT AND YOU’VE GOT DAVID MCKAY WILSON

Posted on September 19, 2014 by John Bailey

STAND BY FOR NEWS!

BAILEY!

KATZ!

BENEROFE!

WP BOARD OF EDUCATION SHOCKS FASNY

MONTEFIORE TAKES OVER WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL

WHITE PLAINS BANK TELLERS ACCUSED OF I.D. THEFT BY A.G.

SAXON WOODS -ROSEDALE ROAD CONSTRUCTION A THREAT TO SAFETY.

TENNIS ANYONE? TENNIS INNOVATORS ACADEMY INTRODUCES ITSELF

THE MOST EXPENSIVE TEE SHOT NEVER TAKEN: $1.5 BILLION

CUOMO BACK PANHANDLING FOR $4 BILLION FOR NEW ZEE

AND ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD AT

www.whiteplainsweek.com

WESTCHESTER’S MOST RELEVANT INTERVIEW PROGRAM…

YOU’VE GOT

DAVID MCKAY WILSON
THE REPORTER’S REPORTER

DOWN LOAD THE NEWS DOUBLEHEADER

www.whiteplainsweek.com

OR WATCH THE ACTION COUNTYWIDE MONDAY 10 P.M. ON VERIZON FIOS AT CHANNEL 45

OR IN WHITE PLAINS ON CABLEVISION CHANNEL 76

FBI Arrests Westchester Guardian Publisher. Indicts Him on Charges of Submitting False Loan Aps, Tax Fraud, Wire Fraud, Witness Tampering

Posted on September 18, 2014 by John Bailey

WPCNR FBI WIRE. Special to WPCNR From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 19, 2014:

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Shantelle P. Kitchen, the Acting Internal Revenue Service Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office—Criminal Investigation (“IRS”), George Venizelos, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Christy Romero, the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“SIGTARP”), announced today that Westchester businessman SELIM ZHERKA, 46, of Somers, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury in White Plains for submitting multiple false loan applications to banks, tax fraud, wire fraud, and witness tampering.

ZHERKA was arrested today by agents of the FBI and arraigned in federal court in White Plains this afternoon. U.S. Attorney Bharara stated:

“Selim Zherka, while running his various businesses, allegedly engaged in a string of crimes. Zherka, the owner of commercial real estate and other businesses, stands accused of filing multiple false bank loan applications, engaging in tax fraud, and witness tampering. He is also charged with defrauding a businessman of his right to collect a court judgment against Zherka for assault and breach of contract.”

Acting IRS Special Agent in Charge Kitchen stated: “The Internal Revenue Service is committed to ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. The public should not have to pick up the tab for those who willfully choose to not file correct and accurate returns. IRS-Criminal Investigation investigates individuals who allegedly corruptly violate the tax laws to further their business and personal interests, at the expense of other businesses and individual taxpayers who play by the rules.”

Assistant FBI Director Venizelos stated: “As alleged, Zherka’s entrepreneurship got a little too creative when he began fabricating loan applications, among many other things, and Zherka’s web of deception knew few bounds. Today he finds himself under arrest and on the wrong side of the law.”

Special Inspector General of TARP Christy Romero stated: “Following an extensive criminal investigation by SIGTARP and our law enforcement partners, this morning federal agents apprehended Selim Zherka without incident in Westchester County, New York. Zherka is charged with falsifying information on commercial loan applications submitted to North Fork Bank—later purchased by TARP recipient Capital One—to obtain more than $36.5 million in loans from the bank.”

According to the Indictment, from November 2005 through 2008, ZHERKA obtained a total of over $146 million in loans from three banks—North Fork Bank (now Capital One), Sovereign Bank (now Santander), and Signature Bank—for the purchase and/or refinancing of apartment house complexes in New England, Tennessee, New Jersey, and New York by lying about the purchase prices of the real estate he was acquiring, the amount of the down payments he was making toward the purchases in question, his assets, his income, his tax returns, and the nature and circumstances of a 2000 court judgment against him for assault and breach of contract (which, to date, he has not paid).

Additionally, the Indictment charges ZHERKA with engaging in a decade-long tax fraud scheme. The Indictment alleges that ZHERKA repeatedly submitted fraudulent tax returns to the IRS that overstated depreciation expenses and understated his capital gains on tax returns for the real estate holding companies in which he was a partner and which, in turn, owned the above apartment house complexes, thereby reducing their tax liabilities. The Indictment also charges that ZHERKA obstructed the Internal Revenue Service by, among other means, failing to file personal tax returns for over a decade.

The Indictment also charges that ZHERKA schemed to defraud the judgment creditor in connection with the above-referenced 2000 case of that individual’s right to receive payment of the judgment. ZHERKA had been found liable by a New York State Supreme Court jury in Manhattan for assaulting that individual and for breaching a contract with him.

Finally, the Indictment charges ZHERKA with tampering with witnesses in this investigation.

* * *

If convicted on the charges in the Indictment, ZHERKA faces the following maximum penalties: for each of the 11 counts of submitting a false loan application with which he is charged, 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the crime; for the count of wire fraud and the count of witness tampering, 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the crime on each count; for the count of conspiracy to obstruct the IRS and violate tax laws, five years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gain or loss resulting from the crime; and for each of the 10 counts of making/subscribing to false returns, the 10 counts of aiding/assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, and the count of attempting to interfere with the administration Internal Revenue laws, three years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the crime.

Additionally, he faces potential criminal forfeitures totaling $146 million, restitution, and the costs of prosecution. The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant and any forfeiture would be determined by the Court.

Mr. Bharara praised the work of the IRS, the FBI, and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program in this investigation.

This case is being handled out of the White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Elliott B. Jacobson and Perry A. Carbone are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WPCNR has learned that Hezi Aris who edits the weekly Westchester Guardian has resigned as editor. Mr. Aris could not confirm whether the paper would continue to publish or not.