A Nyack man was arrested last week after he was allegedly busted in an online sting of sexual predators. Rockland County D-A Tom Walsh says 66 year-old Robert Fidler faces four counts related to an undercover operation by a D-A task force, in which an officer posed as 13- and 14 year-old girls. Walsh says the officer earlier this year chatted with Fidler for several months, and he tried to arrange meetings for sex with the officer. He was arraigned in Ramapo Justice Court on Wednesday, no word on when he’s due back in court.
NYC Judge Allows Congestion Pricing Pause Lawsuits to Proceed
A Manhattan judge, one whose name you may recognize, last week allowed lawsuits to proceed challenging Governor Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing pause. That’s according to Gothamist.com. Judge Arthur Engoron, who was on the bench for former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial, is presiding over two cases seeking to have the congestion pricing scheme re-instated. Though one of the suits was filed by The Sierra Club and the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, Rockland Assemblyman John McGowan of the 97th district, covering Orangetown and parts of Ramapo, says the plan has little to do with the environment…
The governor has been looking for ways to make up for the revenue shortfall without congestion pricing, and may have options once the legislature reconvenes in January. Had the congestion pricing plan gone into effect in June as scheduled, MTA lawyers said the organization would have already made $152 million in revenue. The program would have charged many drivers $15 to enter Manhattan’s congestion pricing zone below 60th Street.
NYC Mayor Charged by Feds on Bribery, Soliciting Illegal Campaign Contributions
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted yesterday on federal charges of bribery, wire fraud and more, accused of improperly soliciting and accepting free or heavily-discounted airline tickets, hotel accommodations and illegal campaign contributions. He is the first New York City mayor to be indicted while in office. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said Mayor Adams abused his position, putting the interests of his benefactors above his constituents, allegedly to the tune of $10 million. Rockland Assemblyman, Republican John McGowan of the 97th district, covering Orangetown and parts of Ramapo, called the developments sad…
Adams is charged with one count of conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and commit wire fraud and bribery, the maximum sentence is five years in prison; one count of wire fraud, on that count he faces 20 years in prison; two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, each could be five years in prison; and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe, that’s another 10 years. Adams professed his innocence, and said he won’t step down as Mayor. Adams had been under the federal microscope since his 2021 mayoral campaign. Several city officials have called on him to resign, and Governor Kathy Hochul is reportedly considering removing him from office.
News Briefs: Three Charged with Hate Crimes in Spring Valley
A 19-year-old and two younger kids of unknown age have been charged with hate crimes after allegedly firing pellets and shouting antisemitic comments at two women in Spring Valley. That’s according to the Journal News. No injuries were reported in the August incident in which one of the women was reportedly struck by a “toy gun gel pellet” while walking along Lawler Boulevard. The suspects drove by and shouted antisemitic slurs at them as they drove off. 19 year-old Nicholas Sanchez was charged with second-degree harassment based on race and religion, along with the two juveniles. They were released on appearance tickets and are due back in Spring Valley Justice Court.
12 Years Pass Since Murder of North Rockland mom, Suspect Remains Elusive
This week marked 12 years since a North Rockland mother was killed, allegedly by her father-in-law, and he’s been missing ever since. Eugene Palmer remains wanted by the FBI and is considered armed and dangerous. The now-83 year-old Palmer had a number of health issues when he allegedly ambushed and shot his daughter-in-law Tammy Palmer following a heated confrontation after she had walked her children to the school bus stop on the morning of September 24th, 2012. He was believed to have fled into Harriman State Park, but the trail grew cold. Anyone with information on Palmer’s whereabouts is asked to contact the bureau at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Victim ID’d in Fatal Route 17 Wrong-Way Crash
The victim in a fatal wrong-way crash on Route 17 in Orange County late Wednesday has been identified, and New York State Police are looking to the public for more information about the crash. Police say 32 year-old Amiel Maerling of Greenfield Park was spotted by cops speeding east in the westbound lanes in a 2008 Ford F150 just after 10PM Wednesday. A Middletown police officer saw him between exits 119 and 118 and then a state trooper saw him at the next exit. Both officers u-turned to try to catch him but it was too late. He crashed head-on into a westbound tractor trailer near exit 122 in Goshen, both vehicles burst into flames. Maerling was pronounced dead at the scene, while the tractor trailer driver was seriously injured, and taken to Garnet Medical Center in Middletown. If you witnessed the crash or saw Maerling driving the wrong way before the collision, call the New York State Police at 845-344-5300.
Rockland Honors Gold Star Families at Ceremony in New City
Rockland County honored four local Gold Star families at a ceremony yesterday at the New City Library. The ceremony recognizes the sacrifice that family members make when a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other loved one dies in service to the nation. Susan Branam is the Director of the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency, and she read the names of the fallen…
Director of Veteran Services at Bridges’ Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Marc Carlo, said it was humbling to be in the presence of the Gold Star families…
Rockland County Executive Ed Day, himself a military dad, said it’s important to support military families…
The Gold Star tradition began in 1936 when Congress designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers’ Day.