This is my notebook on cases I follow with my personal observations and notations. Get special access and special content with paid subscriptions — paid subscribers can add a comment or ask a question or join my chat.
I got way behind so this is a massive catchup version that took the better part of two days to produce so please give it a patient read. Thanks.
Michael Vaccaro
Michael Vaccaro Termination Hearing originally scheduled for November 10, November 15 and November 17 (if needed), then adjourned to start December 1 was adjourned again, until December 19, because Vaccaro got a new attorney.
David Blumenthal
The ethics complaint filed by me against David Blumenthal on June 24, 2022 has yet to be acted upon six months later. A reason given for the delay was a lack of a quorum and that no qualified personrequested an advisory opinion. When I offered to have a qualified person make such a request the matter was instead transferred last August to the City Manager. The New Rochelle Board of Ethics is compromised of three members: Chairman Charles Phipps, City Clerk Michelle Oliveros and David Blumenthal. A quorum requires two members. Adopting any course of action requires two votes. As the complainant, I was never told that Oliveros recused herself as she did in my other two sustained ethics complaints (Christine Dodge, Noam Bramson) the difference being that Blumenthal is not a City employee. The decision to punt the complaint to the City Manager means that of the 105 qualified persons covered by the City Ethics Policy, three are effectively exempt: Phipps, Oliveros and Blumenthal. This is one of many flaws in the current Ethics Policy brought into view by me actually using the ethics complaint protocol. The automatic recusal of the City Clerk means that the Ethics Board has 2 de facto voting members and so there is never a deciding vote to be cast in the event of an impasse in an ethics investigation such as the second charge against Branson. It means one of the two voting members can stonewall an investigation by sitting on their hands or actively obstructing the proceedings which is preceded what is alleged against Blumenthal in my complaint. Word is the City encouraged Blumenthal to resign but he refused, demanding an investigation. Given the practical reality that the outgoing City Manager is in his last days this matter will, at best, be punted again to after January 1, 2023.
Here is the email exchanges since I filed my complaint on June 24, 2022.
August 2, 2022:
Peter A. Meisels (Counsel to New Rochelle Ethics Board): We have given much consideration as to how to entertain your complaint. As you know, the Board has limited jurisdiction and can only function with a quorum. In regards to your complaint, no qualified person requested an advisory opinion and we do not have a quorum to investigate. Hence, it was decided to refer your complaint to the City Manager.
Robert Cox: What constitutes a qualified person?
Meisels: Someone who is covered by the Code of Ethics. Basically a City employee or official.
Robert Cox: I’ll get you a qualified person.
August 9, 2022:
Robert Cox: I want to update my readers Is it currently the case that the City Manager now has this case not the ethics board so I can report that this transfer has happened and why? If the City Manager now has my ethics complaint what had been done about it? If nothing yet then what is the plan?
August 17, 2022:
Robert Cox: Any update on my complaint being referred to Chuck. Will this be investigated, by whom, when, etc.
August 30, 2022:
Robert Cox: Can I get the status on this matter?
Chuck Strome: The matter is still under review. Remember, this is heavy vacation time.
September 15, 2022:
Robert Cox: Blumenthal status?
October 3, 2022:
Robert Cox: Checking in on status.
November 9, 2022:
Robert Cox: Checking again. I would think this would be moving forward by now. What’s the deal?
December 6, 2022:
Robert Cox: Summer vacation is over, right??Status?>
USA v. Philip Colasuonno
No decision in whether the USA v. Philip Colasuonno case moves forward. Still pending.
Fogg v. City of New Rochelle, New Rochelle Police Department, Joseph Schaller, Michael Vaccaro, Matthew Velasco, Scott Wallach, Melvin Molina
Notice of Mediator Assignment filed 9/14/22.
Still pending.
Brooke Balchan v. City School District Of New Rochelle; Laura Feijoo, Former Superintendent; Alex Marrero, Interim Superintendent; Peter Scordo, Deputy Superintendent; Ana Reluzco, Executive Administrator For Human Resources; Amy Mosehli, Member Of The Board Of Education; Ryan Reed, Assistant Superintendent Of Human Resources; Jackielyn Manning-Campbell, Assistant Superintendent Of Student Services
Dr. Brooke Balchan recently returned to work at the City School District of New Rochelle. Balchan filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the District along with various officials on May 28, 2021 for “maltreatment and retaliatory actions taken against her after she raised matters of a public concern regarding health and safety while serving as the Medical Director employed by Defendant City School District of New Rochelle” and “her rights under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act”. With her return it seems like a good time to dig into this still active case. I downloaded all of the available documents filed in the case this week and will start sorting it out soon.
Safiyy Robinson (Range Rover guy)
Safiyy Robinson pleaded guilty on December 1, 2022, to Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree. Under his plea agreement, the defendant will receive six months in jail and five years of probation when he is sentenced on March 2, 2023.
A plea hearing was scheduled in Stamford, CT for 12/8/22 for stealing the Range Rover in Greenwich. I plan to to this hearing in Stamford, see where things stand and probably run a story at that point.
I got his picture outside of the Westchester courthouse (above) after a recent appearance.
River Jones (Moneygang Vontae murder guy)
Former Monroe College student had an appearance on 10/14 and 10/16 in Bronx Criminal Court. He is due back on 12/7.
Louis Apicella
Dockets for ShopRite Shoplifting and trying to run me over being transferred
Rocah v. Costa
I obtained the Verified Reply by Judge Costa and the Response by DA Rocah on Friday. I need to collate the images, create PDFs then read, analyze, write a story ASAP.
Attempt to Dismiss Westchester DA Complaint by New Rochelle Judge is Denied
Flavio LaRocca (parking lot guy)
I have published my second article on the La Roccas. More to do here.
New Rochelle v the LaRoccas - Part I: Brazen Misappropriation
New Rochelle v the LaRoccas - Part II: Six Years of Delays and Motion Practice
Bethzy Higueros (Double Vehicular Homicide girl)
She is headed to TAP on 12/14. Unless it gets settled soon this case would go to trial in 2023.
Alika Crew
Her case is with TAP. Unless it gets settled soon this case would go to trial in 2023.
Eduardo Martinez
Discussion in court of a 1 year plus 1 year sentence and a new issue, immigration consequences for him. His lawyer asked for an adjournment because he could not meet with his client to a COVID quarantine. He violated probation 3 times (2 in MMK, 1 in Rye). There was mention of 2 grand larceny cases in White Plains that are news to me. The mother was present. There is a PSR. Case marked FINAL for 12/13/22.
Ricardo Morales (machete guy)
He was warranted last month as a no-show but showed up on 12/2/22. 4 dockets were previously waived to the Grand Jury which were to be presented by now 3 dockets are still in New Rochelle City Court, will remain local and will likely be part of a global disposition of the following 3 misdemeanor dockets:
CR-02245-21: Menacing - 2nd, Criminal Possession - 4th (intent to use)
CR-02837-21: Menacing - 2nd, Criminal Possession - 4th (intent to use), Criminal Trespass - 3rd (enclosed property)
CR-06886-21: Criminal Contempt - 2nd (disobey court), Resisting Arrest
Nicholas Suppa or Gomessuppa or Suppagomes
He had an SCI conference on 12/6 and will have another soon TBD.
Robert James Arquit
Turns out he was a minor. Charges reduced to a violation. Case disposed and sealed.
Mariela Barajas (Sexting Salesian Teacher)
The case has been in Mount Vernon Criminal Court but moved to the Westchester County Court - Criminal Sex Offender Part with Susan Cacace. She will be arraigned on 1/10/23 on 1 count, Indecent Material To Minors-1, a D Felony.
Gillian Getlan
She was sentenced last month but I held off on the story because I was told to expect an interview that has not happened. I am giving up on that and will run what I have.
Recent Articles on Court Cases
Pregnant Woman Stabbed in New Rochelle, Police Say
REQUEST TO VIDEO TAPE
Safiyy Robinson on 3/2/23 in Westchester Criminal Court
Check with DA
Email Village of Mamaroneck Court
State of New York vs. Eduardo Martinez
Village of Mamaroneck Court
Docket# 22050288
Docket # CR-03012-19
Docket # CR-02942-21
State of New York vs. Andrew Lamb
Docket # 21070058 (BLM Mural)
Docket # 20110176 (cop assault)
State of New York vs. Donald Kearney
Docket# 22050284
Email sent 12/6/22
Email Rye City Court
State of New York vs. Eduardo Martinez
Rye City Court
Email sent 12/6/22
Email Westchester DA
Latoya Turner’s Sledgehammer case was returned to New Rochelle City Court on August 3, 2022. SCI-71454-22; I am getting alerts about this case but its not in eCourts and its not listed as my cases in eTrack.
Last Checked 11/29/22. No change.
Monday December 5, 2022 9:30 AM
State of New York vs. Yonsin Macario Cordon
Court: New Rochelle City Court
Tuesday December 6, 2022 9:30 AM
State of New York vs. City Auto Repair, Inc.
Court: New Rochelle City Court
December 6, 2022 2:00 PM
State of New York vs. Nicholas Suppa or Gomessuppa or Suppagomes
Westchester County Criminal Court - DVI
Wednesday December 7, 2022 10:00 AM
State of New York vs. Michael Thunderhorse
Greenburgh Town Court
December 7, 2022 9:00 AM
State of New York vs. River Jones
Bronx Supreme Court - Criminal Term
Thursday December 8, 2022 9:30 AM
State of New York vs. Alika Crew
Westchester Criminal Court
Thursday December 8, 2022 9:00 AM
State of Connecticut vs. Safiyy Robinson
Geographical Area 1 Court (Stamford)
Thursday December 8, 2022
Hearing-Infant Compromise
M.J.T., an Infant by her Mother and Natural Guardian, Maria B. Torres, and Maria B. Torres, Individually, vs. The City School District of New Rochelle
Westchester Supreme Court
Thursday December 9, 2022 10:00 AM
Appearances required 12/9/22 at 10am in Courtroom 1600 if scheduling information is not provided by 12/8/22 at 3pm
M.J.T., an Infant by her Mother and Natural Guardian, Maria B. Torres, and Maria B. Torres, Individually, vs. The City School District of New Rochelle
Westchester Supreme Court
Thursday December 8, 2023 9:39 AM
State of New York vs. Naisanagelly Sanchez
New Rochelle City Criminal Court
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