A former Suffern resident was convicted yesterday in Brooklyn federal court of seven felonies, including forced labor conspiracy and sex trafficking. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle says the leader of the “master-slave group NXIVM,” 58-year-old Keith Raniere, was found guilty of all charges. The jury deliberated less than five hours. The so-called “self-help group” claimed to provide classes to nearly 17,000 people, among them Seagram’s liquor heiress Clare Bronfman and “Smallville” actress Allison Mack. Raniere reportedly claimed to be an all-knowing guru, but prosecutors said he was a fraud and a con man who groomed his followers for sex. CNN says he’s due to be sentenced on September 25th. He faces life in prison. Raniere proclaimed his innocence and plans to appeal.
New Orangetown Law Requires Cyclists to Ride Single-File
The town of Orangetown has a new law requiring cyclists to ride single file on area roadways. Supervisor Chris Day says state law doesn’t, and the town’s villages do, but other areas of town did not, and that made the new law necessary. Day acknowledges, enforcement will be a challenge…
Chris Day “…enforced here in town.” :20
Cyclists and those on roller skates or roller blades could be fined up to $250 or five days in jail for a first offense. A second offense could get you a fine up to $300 or between 10 and 20 days in jail.
NYS Lawmakers Could go into Legislative Overtime
Albany lawmakers may need some extra time to deal with the remaining bills that they and the governor want to get done in this year’s session, which ends today. Stony Point and Orange County Assemblyman Colin Schmitt says it wouldn’t surprise him if things don’t get wrapped up today…
Rockland State Senator David Carlucci agrees they’ll likely be in Albany a little past the deadline…
Marijuana legislation is among those that lawmakers may have to stick around to get done before the end of the session.
Rockland State Lawmaker Calls on Parole Board to Review Recent Decisions to Release Killers
An area state lawmaker is asking the parole board to reconsider their release of a Pearl River teen’s killer and not release his co-defendant. State Senator David Carlucci says Richard LaBarbera never should have been granted parole, and accomplice Robert McCain should remain in prison, for the 1980 murder of Pearl River’s Paula Bohovesky…
Bohovesky was beaten, stabbed and sexually assaulted while on her way home from the Pearl River Library.
Clarkstown Faces Harassment Lawsuit from Highway Department Employee
The town of Clarkstown highway department, its past and present superintendents and the town, are being sued by a highway department employee for at least $5 million. The employee claims years of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann says the allegations are abhorrent and troubling…
The lawsuit was filed last week in federal court and claims the abuse goes back 16 years.