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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney. December 29,2022:
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah has announced a 24-count indictment of five men in connection with the countywide theft of 56 van and bus catalytic converters with a fair market value of more than $50,000.
The year-long investigation, conducted by 13 law enforcement agencies, led to a coordinated takedown of the five men alleged to have participated in the five-month stealing spree.
DA Rocah said: “This case sends a clear message that Westchester County is cracking down on catalytic converter thefts, a nationwide scourge plaguing car owners with thousands of dollars in replacement costs and damages. I applaud the efforts taken by the criminal investigators in my Office and all of our law enforcement partners in continuing to protect Westchester residents and businesses from fraud and theft.”
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office initiated the investigation with the Briarcliff Manor Police Department, the Greenburgh Police Department, the New Rochelle Police Department, and the Pelham Manor Police Department, which identified Timothy Jimenez, 24, Christian Ancrum, 23, and Jason Vargas, 19, all of New Rochelle, and Joealen Garcia, 31, of Orlando, Florida, as the individuals who allegedly participated in the theft of a total of 56 catalytic convertors from Ford Econoline vans, Royal Coach Lines buses, and school buses in Briarcliff, Greenburgh, Peekskill, Pelham, and Yonkers on 11 different occasions between November 21, 2021 and March 28, 2022. At least 42 of the stolen catalytic converters were recovered in a Bronx scrap yard.
The investigation also identified a fifth defendant, Nicholas Luzardi, 23, of New Rochelle, who is alleged to have been in possession of stolen catalytic convertors in Pelham Manor on January 28, 2022.
Assisting in the investigation were the Mount Pleasant Police Department, the North Castle Police Department, the Peekskill Police Department, the Yonkers Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey.
Jimenez, Vargas and Luzardi were arraigned in Westchester County Court on December 22, 2022. Ancrum is scheduled to be arraigned on January 5, 2023. Garcia will be arraigned following his arrest.
A Westchester County Grand Jury indicted the defendants on the following charges:
· Jimenez was charged with six counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, six counts of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, three counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, all felonies, and three counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, misdemeanors.
· Ancrum was charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, two counts of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, three counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and three counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree.
· Garcia was charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, two counts of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree.
· Vargas was charged with three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, three counts of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Auto Stripping in the Third Degree.
· Luzardi was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree.
Stolen catalytic converters carry a resale value averaging $300 each at scrap yards, and up to $1,000 on the black market, for the precious metals they contain, such as palladium, platinum and rhodium.
Larger vehicles, trucks and SUVs are often targeted because the larger-sized catalytic converters carry higher values, and because the height of the vehicle from the ground allows for easier access to steal the catalytic converters.
The case is before Judge George Fufidio in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney and Auto Crimes Coordinator Adrian Murphy of the Trials and Investigations Division.
The charges against the defendants are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
WPCNR SUPREME COURT SURVEILLANCE.Fromthe New York Immigration Coalition. December 27, 2022 updated December 28, 2022;
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Biden administration cannot end the implementation of Title 42. Title 42 was originally slated to end on December 21, before Chief Justice John Roberts granted an appeal to pause the termination on December 19.
The New York Immigration Coalition denounced this decision from the Supreme Court, which they say will continue to jeopardize the safety of asylum seekers, and demanded that President Biden secure additional protections for new arrivals.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“The Supreme Court’s decision today to prohibit the termination of Title 42 is a devastating failure of justice for the thousands of people and families who have been continually subjected to violence and cruelty because of this policy. For years, Title 42 has proven to be a horrifying distortion of American values, existing as a front for xenophobia and racism.
As Title 42 continues to be shuttled through the courts, it has resulted in untold pain and lives lost for those who are simply seeking freedom and safety in the United States.
This is morally and ethically unacceptable, and the Supreme Court should be ashamed that they continue to sustain such an unsparing policy. We urge the Biden administration to take meaningful action and secure additional protections for asylum seekers, such that a humane and fair asylum system can finally be achieved for all.”
In its order, the high court said it would hear arguments in the case in February.
Supreme Court Judge Neil Gorsuch wrote in his dissenting opinion (Justices Sonia Santomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson also dissented) to end Title 42,
“The current border crisis is not a Covid crisis. And courts should not be in the business of perpetuating administrative edicts (Title 42) designed for one emergency only because elected officials have failed to address a different emergency (migrants massing at the border) We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort.”
WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT.By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner December 27, 2022:
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation sponsored by Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins and Assemblyman Tom Abinanti into law that will allow the town of Greenburgh to assess newly constructed condominiums and cooperative units as residential properties – not commercial properties.
The law does not apply to existing condo and coop buildings.They will continue to be assessed as commercial properties.
There is a potential for significant development in the town in the coming years. The town will generate more revenue if developers build developments that will be taxed at residential rates.
Greenburgh has spent considerable time and money to assess properties at 100% equalization levels. It’s important to the town to ensure that assessing methods are accurate. The New York State Assessors Association also supports legislation that would allow municipalities to assess newly constructed condominiums and cooperative units to reflect the most current market values as all other residential properties.
Again- this law does not apply to any condo and cooperative which already exists within the town. They will continue to be taxed at the commercial rate.
There are about 5,000 existing condo properties in the town. It would create great hardships to many existing condo owners to tax them at higher rates. It would be unfair to existing owners to treat Greenburgh condo/coop owners differently from owners in the rest of the county of Westchester.
Prior to the decision by the Governor to sign the legislation into law the Greenburgh Town Board passed a home rule request for Assembly bill A10488 and Senate bill S9413. We appreciate the fact that the Governor, Senator Cousins and Assemblyman Abinanti were responsive to Greenburgh’s concerns. The state-wide bill was not signed into law.
Eighteen minute news conference from the Governor, Mayor of Buffalo, County Executive Everybody pitching in for everyone else. Click RED highlighted white > arrow to view.
CLICK WHITE > ARROW ON LEFT TO START GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S BRIEFING OF NOON CHRISTMAS DAY, EXPLAINING THE SWEEP OF BLIZZARD DAMAGE TO THOUSANDS, TO ROADS, HOMES, POWER PLANTS AND HOW CREWS ARE STILL WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO RESCUE, RESTORE, AND CLEAR ROADS UPSTATE.
AS ON SATURDAY EVENING, GOVERNOR HOCHUL DEPLOYED NATIONAL GUARD AND ADDITIONAL STATE AGENCY RESOURCES TO AREAS IMPACTED BY HISTORIC WINTER STORM
Statewide State of Emergency Remains in Effect as Historic Winter Storm Continues to Heavily Impact Western New York and Beyond
National Guard Soldiers Deployed to Western New York to Assist New Yorkers Unable to Travel for Emergencies; State Agencies Surging Additional Assets to Western New York, Including Plow Trucks, Dump Trucks, UTVs and 4×4 Vehicles
NYS Thruway (I-90) Remains Closed to All Traffic between Exit 46 (Rochester, I-390) and the Pennsylvania Border; Canadian Border Crossings at Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge All Remain Closed
Numerous State Highways and Interstates in Erie and Genesee Counties Closed Due to Blizzard Conditions; Several Counties in Western New York, Finger Lakes Region and the North Country Under States of Emergency with Local Travel Bans
Less than 60,000 Power Outages Across the State as of Saturday Afternoon, 35,000 Outages Remain in Western New York Region
Governor Kathy Hochul LAST NIGHT announced deployments of additional personnel and assets to areas in Western New York impacted by a historic blizzard causing impossible travel conditions in the Buffalo area and beyond. Governor Hochul declared a statewide State of Emergency ahead of the event, on Thursday.
Friday evening, Governor Hochul deployed more than 50 soldiers from the New York National Guard to assist New Yorkers facing emergencies and unable to travel. The Governor surged additional assets and personnel from numerous state agencies involved in the emergency response to assist these efforts and remove stranded motorists from their vehicles.
As temperatures remain well below freezing across the state today, with the threat of flash freezing and icy road conditions, Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers in heavily impacted regions to stay home and to take measures to safely stay warm.
“New Yorkers are used to winter storms, but this one packed a punch and caused complete whiteout conditions in Western New York however, additional help is on the way,” Governor Hochul said. “Our state agency personnel and local emergency responders have been coordinating throughout the storm and we thank them for being away from their families this holiday weekend as they work to keep our communities safe. Please stay home if you are in areas experiencing blizzard like conditions and know that roads will be icy across the state as we continue to experience freezing temperatures in the teens and single digits.”
The North County, Finger Lakes and Central New York regions all experienced peak wind gusts of more than 60 miles per hour during the event. In Western New York, peak wind gusts reached 79 miles per hour. The Buffalo and Watertown areas are expected to see snow totals of 3-5 feet by Monday, as a result of the storm.
Across the state, temperatures remain below 20 degrees and several regions are experiencing single digit temperatures and subzero windchills. This creates the risk for flash freezing and icy road conditions that will continue to impact statewide travel.
Snow and strong winds of more than 60 miles per hour will continue in Western New York and the North Country, creating blizzard-like conditions and zero visibility. Lakeshore flooding is expected to continue in areas off of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Blizzard Warnings, Lake Effect Snow Warnings, Lakeshore Flood Warnings, Wind Chill Warnings, and Winter Storm Warnings are currently in effect for various counties across the state. For a complete list of weather watches, warnings, and advisories across New York, visit the National Weather Service website.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Remain vigilant today as temperatures continue to stay well below freezing across the state. Take all necessary precautions if leaving home, check your local forecast and pay close attention to travel restrictions from local officials. Utility crews are working across the state to restore widespread power outages throughout the weekend. State agencies are also sending additional help to areas most in need. No matter where you live it will be dangerously cold, so check on your neighbors and loved ones this weekend.”
Agency Operations
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The State’s Emergency Operations Center and the Fire Operations Center are fully staffed and actively monitoring weather reports and incidents across the state to facilitate the State’s response to the storm.
The Office of Emergency Management and The Office of Fire Prevention and Control have deployed personnel and equipment (UTVs) to remove stranded New Yorkers from vehicles in Western New York, along with resources to support warming shelters. DHSES is prepared to respond to additional requests for assistance from local governments across the state.
Across the State’s Ten Stockpiles, DHSES has the following deployable items to support storm-related needs:
1,487 generators
985 pumps
528 chainsaws
250 light towers
Cots, pillows, blankets, water, and MREs
Division of Military and Naval Affairs
The New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs is providing 53 soldiers from the New York National Guard to Western New York to assist New Yorkers with emergency medical appointments and search and rescue operations. These personnel and assets are all expected to arrive Saturday by 2pm.
The personnel and assets from this deployment include:
18 general purpose soldiers with 5 humvees
14 military police with 2 humvees and 2 LMTVs
21 engineers with a 2.5 yard loader, 3 skid steers, and 3 dump trucks
Department of Public Service
New York’s utilities have approximately 7,700 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, wire guarding, response, repair, and restoration efforts. External resources secured previously by New York’s Utilities are being released and directly to National Grid and Avangrid to assist with their restoration efforts National Grid has restored more than 86,000 customers, since the onset of the weather event, impacted by the various weather situations. They currently have 2,731 Line, Tree and Service FTEs engaged in response, repair and restoration throughout their service territory. The additional 270 Line FTEs, released from Con Edison will also be prepared to begin work this morning.
NYSEG/RG&E have restored more than 130,000 customers, impacted by the various weather situations, since the onset of the statewide weather event. They currently have 2,141 Line, Tree and Service FTEs engaged in response, repair and restoration throughout their service territory. The additional 270 Line FTEs, released from Con Edison will also be prepared to begin work this morning.
Department of Transportation
The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and is responding with 3,450 supervisors and operators. Additionally, 75 ICS personnel are available to support the response to this event. All affected residency locations will be staffed for 24/7 operation throughout the duration of the event. Staff can be configured into any type of response crew that is needed such as snow and ice, flood, chipper, load and haul, cut and toss, traffic signal, etc. All available equipment is fully engaged or ready to deploy.
A driving ban has been issued in Erie County and the City of Buffalo; and the following roads in Erie County are closed to all traffic until conditions improve:
State Route 400
State Route 219
I-290
I-190
State Route 5 (Big Tree Road to I-190)
Additionally, the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge border crossings are all closed.
A restriction for trucks “Trucks Use Right Lane” on Interstate 81 from Exit 32 (Central Square) to Exit 51 (Alex Bay) starting at noon Friday. Additionally, several roads in the Hudson Valley are closed to do flooding or downed trees. NYSDOT crews are fully engaged in debris removal, assessing the situation and will re-open the roads as soon as conditions permit.
Regional crews continue to engage in all-hazards preparations. Drainage structures are being checked and cleared of debris. To support response activities in critical areas, a total of 71 staff, including 65 plow truck operators, 4 supervisors, 1 assistant manager, 1 ICS support specialist, 13 plow trucks, 2 snow blowers, and 1 grader are being deployed to Western New York and the North Country. They are distributed as follows:
Western New York
3 plow trucks from Central New York
2 plow trucks, 2 snow blowers, and 1 grader from the Finger Lakes
4 operators and 2 plow trucks the Western Southern Tier
26 operators, 2 supervisors, and 1 assistant manager from the Mid-Hudson Region
10 operators, 1 supervisor, and 3 plow trucks from the Southern Tier
19 operators and 1 supervisor from Long Island
1 ICS specialist from the Capital District
North Country
2 operators and 1 plow truck from the Capital District
2 operators and 1 plow truck from the Mohawk Valley
2 operators and 1 plow truck from Central NY
The need for additional resources (Operators, Trucks, Mechanics, EOI’s) will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. Generator stockpiles are being readied for deployment to support dark signal response. Fleet mechanics in affected areas will be staffing all main residency locations 24/7 to perform repairs and keep trucks on the road. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:
1740 large and medium duty plow trucks
52 tow plows
37 snow blowers
338 loaders
13 tree crew bucket trucks
78 chippers
32 traffic signal trucks
20 graders
73 excavators
For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.
Thruway Authority
Thruway Authority maintenance facilities are staffed around the clock and responding to the storm with 678 operators and supervisors statewide. Thruway has shifted and deployed additional staff and equipment from its New York and Albany Divisions to support snow and ice operations in Western New York. Deployed resources include large plow trucks and operators. Additional resources are on standby and ready to shift as needed.
ALL VEHICLES are banned on the New York State Thruway (I-90) from exit 46 (Rochester I-390) to the Pennsylvania border, and on the Niagara Thruway (I-190) from I-90 to exit 22 (Route 62) until further notice.
Thruway statewide equipment numbers and resources include:
364 large and medium duty plow trucks
10 tow plows
66 loaders
More than 123,000 tons of salt on hand
Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway. Follow the Thruway Authority on Twitter: @NYSThruway & @ThruwayTraffic and on Facebook: NYS Thruway Authority.
The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras, and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.
New York State Police
State Police have deployed extra personnel and assets in the areas being most affected by the storm. Troopers are working with partner agencies in the extreme conditions to reach approximately 10 vehicles stranded on the NYS Thruway between Exits 49 and 52, but efforts are being hampered by whiteout conditions with zero visibility. So far, at least 45 people have been rescued from their vehicles. Troopers are also attempting to reach more than a dozen stranded motorists on I-81 and other secondary roads in Jefferson County. So far, State Police has responded to approximately 700 storm-related crashed statewide.
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Park Police have four Motorist Support Teams (MSTs) using UTVs and 4-wheel drive trucks available for deployment to assist stranded drivers. Parks Operations staff have three Motorist Support Teams available for deployment. Two sawyer crews are on standby to assist with clearing downed trees and branches from roadways. Park visitors should check parks.ny.gov or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings, and closings.
Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, Emergency Management staff and regional staff are on alert and monitoring the developing situation and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure impacted by severe weather. DEC is coordinating resource deployment with agency partners and all available assets, including sawyers, are positioned to assist with any emergency response.
DEC is advising backcountry users to be aware of and prepared for winter conditions, including high winds and extreme cold temperatures. Conditions are expected to be even more severe at high elevations. Winter hiking and skiing safety and preparedness are extremely important no matter your physical ability or destination. Properly preparing for winter conditions is essential for a more enjoyable and safer experience. During and immediately following periods of heavy snowfall, avoid open, exposed areas like bare summits and use extreme caution when traveling on or near open slopes. Additional information is available at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/112826.html
DEC reminds those responsible for the large-scale removal and disposal of snow to follow best management practices to help prevent flooding and reduce the potential for pollutants like salt, sand, oils, trash and other debris in snow from affecting water quality. Disposal of snow in local creeks and streams can create ice dams which may cause flooding in nearby areas. Public and private snow removal operators should be aware of these safety issues during and after the storm. Additional information is available at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/togs5111new.pdf
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority is monitoring weather conditions. Speed restrictions may be in effect at the bridges, as well as along roadways to and from the crossings. Passengers through the Port Authority’s facilities are encouraged to reach out to carriers and airlines directly for the latest information on delays and cancelations. For the latest information about Port Authority facilities, please check social media, sign up for PA alerts or download one of the PA mobile apps, including RidePATH which provides real-time updates and alerts for PATH service.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority is closely monitoring weather conditions to ensure safe, reliable service. MTA employees will be poised to respond to any weather-related issues and remove any downed trees that may fall across tracks.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels banned empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks through 8:00 p.m. Friday. Pedestrian walkways at the Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridge will be closed during this same time period; pedestrian walkways at the RFK Bridge and Henry Hudson Bridge may close depending on weather conditions.
Customers are encouraged to check new.mta.info for the latest service updates, and to use caution while navigating the system. Customers should also sign up for real-time service alerts via text or email. These alerts are also available via the MTA’s apps: MYmta and TrainTime.
Safety Tips
Winter Travel Safety
The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, review these safety tips:
When winter storms strike, do not drive unless necessary.
Make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving.
Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars.
Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children.
Make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
If you have a cell phone or other communications device such as a two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling.
Extreme Temps
Be aware of wind chill – wind in combination with the actual temperature – that can cause an increase of heat loss to the human body.
Dress appropriately and avoid staying in the cold too long.
Wear a hat and gloves when appropriate with layers of clothing. Avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body to the cold.
Drink plenty of warm fluids or warm water but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Stay active to maintain body heat.
Take frequent breaks from the cold.
If signals of hypothermia or frostbite appear, get out of the cold, slowly warm the individual and seek medical assistance:
Frostbite: Symptoms include loss of feeling, a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ears, and nose.
Hypothermia: Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, and drowsiness.
Heavy Exertion
Heavy exertion, such as shoveling snow, clearing debris or pushing a car, increase the risk of a heart attack. Follow these tips to stay safe after the storm:
Stay warm, dress warm and SLOW DOWN when working outdoors.
Take frequent rests to avoid over-exertion
If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain in your jaw radiating down your arm — STOP and seek help immediately.
Power Outages
Winter storms can cause power outages. Review these safety tips before the lights go out so you know what to do in an emergency:
Call your utility provider to notify them of the outage.
Avoid all downed power lines and report them to your utility provider for repair; assume all downed lines have live electricity.
Use only flashlights for emergency lighting – candles pose the risk of fire.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors shut to keep food from spoiling. When in doubt, throw it out!
Do not use a charcoal grill or generator indoors and do not use a gas stove for heat-they could give off harmful levels of carbon monoxide.
Turn off major appliances to prevent damage from a possible surge when the power comes back on-keep one light turned on so you know when power returns.
Home Heating
Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths. Keep loved ones safe by following these important steps:
Keep all combustibles at least three feet away from heating equipment.
Always plug appliances including space heaters directly into a receptacle. Never plug appliances into a power strip or extension cord.
Make sure there is a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
For all non-emergency service needs before, during or after a storm, call 211 or visit 211nys.org.
For more safety tips, visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Safety Tips web page at www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.
WPCNR THE SUNDAY BAILEY .By John F. Bailey. Originally published, December 12, 2021:
On the week when the “Winter Surge” or “The Fourth Wave or is it now the 5th in 2022?” hit the New York Metropolitan area we all need that Old Christmas Magic more than ever this year.
The Waitresses sang in the song back in the 1980s, and this is just part of “Christmas Magic”—it all has to do with you.
I admit I have not been looking forward to this Christmas Season, but Brenda Starr who lives with me, being a redhead, well Christmas is her favorite holiday and works very hard at creating Christmas magic.
She organizes! She bakes cookies, lots of them. She tosses salads. She cooks. The WPCNR Headquarters is filled with appetizing aromas.
The magic of the week starts December 12. She starts by pushing me to go out and get a Christmas Tree every year. This year she pushed me early out in the 30 degrees last weekend. Years ago I took my son and tried to get him to pick out the tree. I would tell him what to look for:
A tree which looks good on all sides no matter from which way you look at it. Know the height of tree that fits comfortably with scant inches of the ceiling of the room you’ll display it in.
The top of the tree shape is key: it needs a symmetrical ascension of branches extending higher and arched more to a single high trunk extension. This kind of top delivers the look to put small delicate bulbs, and decorations in ascending steps to the highest part of the tree where you place a star or spire on the top single trunk.
Well I set out to Amodio’s last week, and the courteous lads serving the Christma Tree selection showed me the six footers priced at $99. The first one was too wide at the bottom. The next too thin in a triangle with not good wide, slender shape.
Then the lad spun out THE TREE. In 50 years of selecting Christmas Trees, I know THE TREE I will get the moment I see it. It just introduces itself!
The process of tree selection starts the Christmas Magic
So I tote it home in the trunk of the car. And convey it to the porch. Put it in water and wait to the time when Brenda Starr says it is the day to put it up.
We use the same Christmas tree stand we have used for fifty years. Always trouble screwing in the bolts that hold our tree. I guide the tree into the stand while Brenda Starr ducks under the spread boughs of the tree to tighten or loosen the screws of the stand as need be and tells me from under the tree which direction to slant it to get it straight. She looks at the tree determines if it is straight then turns it to the best side.
Then the lights go on. The tree seems to wait expectantly.
This year, Ms. Starr in her only mistake of the year, could not find the Christmas Tree lights. So instead of criticizing her I said, “We must have thrown out the candle lights and the candy cane lights from last year, I’ll go to the True Value and get new ones. Let me call.”
I call and I drive on down to the store that has everything. I’ve been going there since 1976 when a big friendly man named Al ran the store. The new owner said we only have a few lights left. I drive on down, picked up two sets. Returned home and Ms. Starr affixed the lights with me holding the lights. As she strung them from top of the tree to about midway., we both realized there were not enough lights to cover the tree.
But there was another problem, Ms. Starr did not like the second set of lights because the colors were wrong, orange and piurple, “not Christmas colors.” I did something most uncharacteristic, “I said you’re right. I like them because they were flashing and but purple is not a Christmas color, let me go back and exchange them for another set of the ones on the tree.”
She was stunned. You see what I mean by Christmas Magic? The tree the atmosphere, the decorating was altering my behavior. So back to True Value, I make the exchange and even saved money.
When I returned, Ms. Starr, said “Look.”
She had opened a box of what she thought were decorations for the tree and found the electric lights from last year. “I’m sorry.”
I did something even rarer in the face of the discovery, I laughed, “I knew this would happen, but I can string those other lights on the pine trees off the porch.”
On with the new second set of lights she liked!
Together, we put decorated bulbs collected over 50 years ever since her days as a crack reporter on The Flash.
The pictures of my daughter the skater 25 years ago, reindeer, train bulbs, glass icicles, glass stars. The tree seemed to give off vibes of warmth even seemed to be preening and the fresh sap got on our fingers. After an hour the tree is filled.
I then went out and decorated the pinetrees outside the house, not much but it just made the trees seem so much taller standing proud and seemed to enjoy the lights being looped on to the branches. When I plugged in the long extension chord the house did not catch fire or bulbs cause a short circuit.
The finding of the lights after I had gotten new ones, was I felt another mysterious arrival of that old Christmas Magic.
What is the Christmas Magic?
It is the magic we cast ourselves, continuing the same traditions and doing the things together that bring us close, when we decorated trees with our parents or helped Mom bake and the mellowness and teary sentimentality we feel towards family who have drifted apart, from each other frayed by the strains of any distant relationship.
Those Christmas visits at Grandma’s house on Sunnyside Avenue in Pleasantville, playing Christmas carols in high school in freezing temperatures at the Manville Road Circle in Old Pleasantville.
It all comes back. That’s Christmas Magic.
We need it more than ever this year.
Back in the 1980s, The Waitresses put out a perfect song that expresses Christmas Magic, called “Christmas Wrappings” that you can hear by doing a search on the internet. Here are the lyrics
Christmas Wrappings
Bah, humbug!” No, that’s too strong
‘Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year’s been a busy blur
Don’t think I have the energy
To add to my already mad rush
Just ’cause it’s ’tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from
Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of ’81 passed along those lines.
So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.
Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!
Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would’ve been good to go for lunch,
Couldn’t agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we’d keep in touch.
Didn’t, of course, ’til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.
Now the calendar’s just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight’s the night, but I’ve set my mind
Not to do too much about it.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I’ll miss this one this year.
Hardly dashing through the snow
Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do’s
A few cards a few calls
‘Cause it’s r-s-v-p
No thanks, no party lights
It’s Christmas Eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites.
Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn’t go,
Forget it, it’s cold, it’s getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.
A&P has provided me
With the world’s smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?
So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I’ve been chasing all year!
PLANNING BOARD MEETS TO QUESTION FARRELL BUILDING COMPANY ON THE 100 HOME FARRELL ESTATES.VIDEO OF WHAT IS ON THE BOARD’S MINDSREALITY ONCOVID BY THE NUMBERS BASED ON AVERAGE DAILY NEW INFECTIONS AT THE COUNTIES THAT ARE OUT OF CONTROL ON COVID CONTAINMENT. AND THESE NUMBERS ARE ONLY NUMBERS THAT ARE LAB-VERIFIED! GALLERIA CLOSING COULD DERAIL WHITE PLAINS SALES TAX RECORD YEAR.Meanwhile back at The Hole In the Ground? No plan for that either? What’s doing?WHAT THE COVID NUMBERS ARE REALLY DOING IN WESTCHESTER COUNTYON THE SET OF “WE ARE WHITE PLAINS” A NEW VISUAL EXPERIENCE COMING TO THE HALLS OF WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL IN MARCH. INTERVIEW WITH JOE BUTLER, SUE SPIEGEL, MARLA FELTON AND PHOTOGRAPHER BEYETE’ ROSS SMITHJOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS
If you have any information about IGNATOVA’s whereabouts, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips can be reported anonymously and can also be reported online at tips.fbi.gov.
OneCoin Was a Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Marketed and Sold to Millions of Victims Around the World.
CO-FOUNDER REFERRED TO INVESTORS IN ONECOIN AS “IDIOTS.” “The network would not work with intelligent people.”
WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. December 22, 2002:
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced Friday, December 16 that KARL SEBASTIAN GREENWOOD, who co-founded OneCoin with RUJA IGNATOVA, a/k/a “the Cryptoqueen,” pled guilty Friday in Manhattan federal court to wire fraud and money laundering charges in connection with his participation in the massive OneCoin fraud scheme.
OneCoin, which began operations in 2014 and was based in Sofia, Bulgaria, marketed and sold a fraudulent cryptocurrency by the same name through a global multi-level-marketing (“MLM”) network.
As a result of misrepresentations that GREENWOOD, IGNATOVA, and others made about OneCoin, victims invested over four billion dollars worldwide in the fraudulent cryptocurrency. Today, District Judge Edgardo Ramos accepted GREENWOOD’s guilty plea.
IGNATOVA, WHO was added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Top Ten Most Wanted List in June 2022, remains at large.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:
“As a founder and leader of OneCoin, Karl Sebastian Greenwood operated one of the largest international fraud schemes ever perpetrated.
“Greenwood and his co-conspirators, including fugitive Ruja Ignatova, conned unsuspecting victims out of billions of dollars, claiming that OneCoin would be the ‘Bitcoin killer.’ In fact, OneCoins were entirely worthless. Greenwood’s lies were designed with one goal, to get everyday people all over the world to part with their hard-earned money — real money — and to line his own pockets to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
This guilty plea by the co-founder of OneCoin caps a week at SDNY that sends a clear message that we are coming after all those who seek to exploit the cryptocurrency ecosystem through fraud, no matter how big or sophisticated you are.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Information and other filings and statements made in court:
In 2014, GREENWOOD and IGNATOVA co-founded OneCoin,[1] a company based in Sofia, Bulgaria, that marketed a purported cryptocurrency by the same name, which was in fact a fraudulent pyramid scheme.
OneCoin operated as a MLM network through which members received commissions for recruiting others to purchase cryptocurrency packages. This MLM structure influenced rapid growth of the OneCoin member network. Indeed, according to OneCoin’s promotional materials, over three million people invested in fraudulent cryptocurrency packages. OneCoin records show that, between the fourth quarter of 2014 and the fourth quarter of 2016 alone, OneCoin generated €4.037 billion in sales revenue and earned “profits” of €2.735 billion.
IGNATOVA served as OneCoin’s top leader until her disappearance from public view, in October 2017.
GREENWOOD was OneCoin’s “global master distributor” and the leader of the MLM network through which the fraudulent cryptocurrency was marketed and sold.
In a video posted online, IGNATOVA attributed to GREENWOOD the idea of marketing and selling OneCoin through an MLM network structure.
GREENWOOD earned approximately €20 million a month in his role as the top MLM distributor of OneCoin.
GREENWOOD and IGNATOVA conceived of and built the OneCoin business fully intending to use it to defraud investors. For example, in the summer of 2014, when GREENWOOD and IGNATOVA were developing the concept for OneCoin, they referred to the cryptocurrency in email correspondence as “trashy coin.” On June 11, 2014, IGNATOVA wrote to GREENWOOD concerning the OneCoin business plan, stating in part:
“It might not be [something] really clean or that I normally work on or even can be proud of (except with you in private when we make the money) – but . . . I am especially good in this very borderline cases [sic], where the things become gray – and you as the magic sales machine – and me as someone who really can work with numbers, legal and back you up in a good and professional way – we could really make it big – like MLM meets bitch of wall street ;-)”
In an August 9, 2014, email between GREENWOOD and IGNATOVA, IGNATOVA described her thoughts on the “exit strategy” for OneCoin. The first option that IGNATOVA listed was, “Take the money and run and blame someone else for this . . . .”
And in a September 11, 2016, exchange with IGNATOVA’s brother, Konstantin Ignatov, GREENWOOD referred to OneCoin investors stating, “These ppl are idiots,” to which Ignatov responded, “as you told me, the network would not work with intelligent people ;)”
HOW IT WORKED:
As a result of misrepresentations made by GREENWOOD, IGNATOVA, and other OneCoin representatives, victims throughout the world wired investment funds to OneCoin-controlled bank accounts in order to purchase OneCoin packages.
OneCoin falsely claimed that the value of OneCoin was based on market supply and demand, when in fact, the value of the cryptocurrency was simply set by OneCoin itself. For example, on June 9, 2014, in an email sent by IGNATOVA to a representative of a blockchain development company, copying GREENWOOD, IGNATOVA stated, “we are building our own cryptocurrency – and would like to set up an internal exchange service for them. We would like to be able to set the price manually and automatically and also control the traded volume.”
On March 21, 2015, IGNATOVA wrote an email to GREENWOOD, in which IGNATOVA stated, “We can manipulate the exchange by simulating some volatility and intraday pricing.” (bold in original). And in an August 1, 2015, email, IGNATOVA wrote to GREENWOOD, and included as part of a section of the email entitled “Goals”: “6. Trading coin, stable exchange, always close on a high price end of day open day with high price, build confidence – better manipulation so they are happy.”
The purported value of a OneCoin grew steadily from €0.50 to approximately €29.95 per coin. The purported price of OneCoins never decreased in value.
GREENWOOD and other OneCoin leaders also claimed that the OneCoin cryptocurrency was “mined” using mining servers maintained and operated by the company.
In fact, OneCoins were never mined using computer resources. For example, in an email to IGNATOVA dated August 11, 2014, GREENWOOD proposed, “Get members to think that they are mining their OneCoin via crunching (exchanging) tokens for OneCoin. This storey [sic] is good as ppl will then not go super crazy and just try and sell tokens all the time.”
GREENWOOD emailed IGNATOVA the following day, writing,
“The concept of converting tokens into OneCoin is an important phase for validity and truth behind the OneCoin. The so called ‘mining’ of coins is a concept that is very familiar in the industry and a story we can sell to the members.”
IGNATOVA then wrote to GREENWOOD, “We are not mining actually – but telling people shit,” to which GREENWOOD responded, “how can this be investigated and found out?” and “Can any member (trying to be clever) find out that we actually are not investing in machines to mine but it is merely a piece of software doing this for us?”
GREENWOOD and other OneCoin leaders further claimed that OneCoin maintained a private “blockchain,” or a digital ledger identifying OneCoins and recording historical transactions.
But OneCoin lacked a true blockchain, that is, a public and verifiable blockchain. Indeed, by approximately March 2015, IGNATOVA and GREENWOOD had started allocating to OneCoin members coins that did not even exist in OneCoin’s purported private blockchain, referring to those coins as “fake coins.”
GREENWOOD and IGNATOVA promoted OneCoin, including at official OneCoin events all over the globe.
One such event, called “Coin Rush,” was held at Wembley Arena in London on June 11, 2016.
Thousands of OneCoin members attended Coin Rush.
During the event, GREENWOOD introduced IGNATOVA to the crowd, stating in part: “This is the creator, the mastermind, the founder of cryptocurrency, of OneCoin . . . Now, this will be the biggest welcoming on stage that we’ve ever done in history.”
Then, to the tune of Alicia Keys’s “Girl on Fire,” and surrounded by actual onstage fireworks, IGNATOVA strode onto the Wembley Arena stage wearing a red ball gown. She proceeded to repeatedly and favorably compare her fraudulent cryptocurrency to Bitcoin, stating, among other things, “OneCoin . . . is supposed to be the Bitcoin killer” and “In two years, nobody will speak about Bitcoin anymore.”
On July 4, 2015, a federal holiday commemorating the independence of the United States, IGNATOVA announced the official opening of the United States market for OneCoin.
In early July 2015, GREENWOOD sent IGNATOVA an email stating in part, “I thought this could go out tonight, problem is I don’t have the access to send out to the members,” and attaching a document which announced a July 4, 2015, online webinar hosted by IGNATOVA and others to mark the official opening of the United States market for OneCoin.
Thereafter, on July 4, 2015, IGNATOVA participated in an online webinar, later posted to YouTube.com, in which IGNATOVA announced the official opening of the United States market for OneCoin.
During the webinar, IGNATOVA said, among other things, “[I]f we want to go and catch Bitcoin, we never can do this without being strong in the U.S. and without being part of the community. So, um, this is actually why I am so excited about the U.S. as the market. It’s something that is about prestige. It’s a huge market. And, um, it is, I think, a place of innovation, of Wall Street, a place where we have to be if we want to be big.”
Many victims in the United States invested in fraudulent OneCoin cryptocurrency packages, including residents of the Southern District of New York.
GREENWOOD was arrested at his residence on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, in July 2018, and was extradited to the United States to face fraud and money laundering charges in October 2018. GREENWOOD has been detained since his arrest in July 2018.
On October 12, 2017, IGNATOVA was charged with OneCoin-related fraud and money laundering charges in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and a federal warrant was issued for her arrest.
The last indication of Ignatova’s whereabouts: $100,000 reward for information leading to IGNATOVA’S arrest.
On October 25, 2017, IGNATOVA traveled on a commercial flight from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, and has not been seen publicly since. IGNATOVA was added to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted List in June 2022. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to IGNATOVA’s arrest.
* * *
GREENWOOD, 45, a citizen of Sweden and the United Kingdom, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Sentencing before Judge Ramos is scheduled for April 5, 2023.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which jointly conducted this investigation with Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Mr. Williams also thanked the Royal Thai Police for their assistance in the arrest of GREENWOOD.
$100,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO FUGITVE IGNATOVA’S ARREST
If you have any information about IGNATOVA’s whereabouts, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips can be reported anonymously and can also be reported online at tips.fbi.gov.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. DiMase, Nicholas Folly, Juliana N. Murray, and Kevin Mead, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Julieta V. Lozano of the New York County District Attorney’s Office, are in charge of the prosecution.
