Category: Courts
Attorney attempts to gain restraining order to stop mandate from going into effect but judge denies it
Judge Christina Ryba, a New York state Supreme Court justice in Albany County, has decided not to grant temporary restraining order that would have stopped the state’s vaccine mandate beginning Monday. Corey Hogan, of HoganWillig Law Firm, is representing around 500 healthcare ... MORE
Two people charged after attempting to defraud the United States of over $1 million dollars with false tax returns
Two people are being charged following a 15 count indictment for attempting to defraud the Unites States, file false tax returns, and money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney’s Office. Two individuals, Hannah Heart and Sook Young Jung, are ... MORE
Auburn man sentenced to prison for charges relating to domestic disputes
A man has been sentenced up to four years in state prison for two domestic violence convictions in Cayuga County. Jason J. McPhearson Sr., 29, of Auburn, was sentenced Thursday. He faced six charges and pleaded guilty to the most serious charge ... MORE
Chief Passalacqua: Geneva officer Montesanto has been terminated after conviction
Geneva Police Chief Mike Passalacqua says officer Jack Montesanto, who was convicted of criminal obstruction of breathing this week, has been terminated. “This conviction violates the City of Geneva Police Department’s Use of Force policies, including the Department’s prohibition ont he use ... MORE
Rescheduled court date marks delayed, outstanding release of discovery in Bowman’s case
It’s been 72 days since the arraignment of Charles Bowman, a Fayette resident for misdemeanor charges in connection to the Cayuga Nation, but he’s yet to receive any evidence for the alleged crimes that were levied against him. Oral arguments were supposed ... MORE
New York State hospital security workers have filed a lawsuit against the state’s vaccine mandate
Nine security officers working for state hospitals have filed a lawsuit against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, claiming they’re being coerced into unwanted medical care and having their constitutional rights violated. The goal of these security officers is to get a judge to ... MORE
What is a religious exemption and how can healthcare workers get one?
The temporary block on the healthcare worker vaccine mandate on the grounds of religious exemption lasts until Oct. 12, so what exactly counts as a religious exemption? Employment Attorney Melanie Franco with Tully Rinckey says a moral or philosophical objection is not ... MORE
Rochester insurance broker sentenced to prison for stealing thousands with fake insurance policies
A Rochester insurance broker has been sentenced to prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Brian Bartz, 39, was sentenced to five years and ten months after admitting to using people’s names and social security numbers to submit fraudulent policy applications ... MORE
Law enforcement say there is lack of communication with “Less is More” and they were not aware of violent offenders being released
Local law enforcement are pushing back on the “Less is More” legislation, and asking to be given more information on who will be released and when. The legislation allows for incarcerated people in prison for technical parole violations to be released. Governor ... MORE
Geneva officer found guilty in third day of trial: Sentencing set for November 19th
A Geneva police officer was found guilty of choking a woman while she was in custody. The incident unfolded in July 2019, and on Wednesday — Jack Montesanto was found guilty of criminal obstruction of breathing. He faces up to one year ... MORE
New York State Department of Labor employee admits to stealing over $300,000 from the state
A former employee of the New York State Department of Labor has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the state through her position. Tramaine Pope, 31, of the Bronx, submitted and approved 20 false applications for unemployment insurance. She pleaded ... MORE
Trial begins this week for Geneva police officer accused of choking a woman in custody
The trial for the Geneva police officer accused of choking a woman in his custody has begun. The officer, Jack Montesanto, is charged with misdemeanor criminal obstruction of breathing. The jury was shown footage from a police body camera on Monday that ... MORE
A juvenile is being charged in family court with sex crimes in Tompkins County
The Ithaca Police Department arrested a juvenile under the age of 18 on Sept. 7 for sex crimes committed in the City of Ithaca. Two victims, under the age of 11, were sexually abused by the juvenile between March of 2021 and ... MORE
Lawmakers take aim at court fees, surcharges in New York: Look to end cycle of debt
State and federal lawmakers say it’s time for an end to excessive court fees. In fact, they are calling for an end to them entirely. If you receive a ticket, or appear in court — there’s a fee attached. The fee is ... MORE
Lawsuit aims to kill mask mandate in New York schools
There’s a new push at the state level to end mask mandates in schools. A lawsuit has been filed challenging the state’s requirement that people wear masks while in school buildings to slow the spread of COVID-19. State Sen. George Borrello, R-57, ... MORE
