A former Rockland bus company owner lost his recent attempt to have his bribery and corruption conviction overturned. A federal appeals panel recently declined Richard Brega’s appeal of his 50-month sentence. He was convicted almost two years ago of bribing the former transportation director of Rockland BOCES over bus repairs his company failed to do.
News
East Ramapo Election Trial Continues in Federal Court
The trial over the East Ramapo School District’s method of electing members continued in federal court yesterday. The Journal News said former East Ramapo school board member Pierre Germain testified yesterday he was nobody’s puppet while on the board. The judge will decide whether the district’s at-large method of electing the board discriminates against black and Latino voters and favors the area’s Orthodox community, which largely sends their children to private schools. The suit was filed by the Spring Valley NAACP and the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Ramapo to Host WinterBlast Sunday
It really hasn’t felt much like winter this season, but that’s only because Ramapo’s WinterBlast hasn’t happened yet. Town supervisor Michael Specht says the free event blows into town this Sunday…
WinterBlast is this Sunday from noon to 3PM at the Joseph T. Saint Lawrence Health and Sports Center on Torne Valley Road in Hillburn. For more information visit RamapoParks.org.
Finkelstein Library in Spring Valley Remains Closed After Fatal Stabbing Tuesday
That was the recording callers were greeted with after calling Finkelstein Library yesterday afternoon following a fatal stabbing inside the library. News 12 says 25 year-old Blanchard Glaudin of Spring Valley was charged with second degree murder after repeatedly stabbing a female security guard, 52 year-old Sandra Wilson, around 2pm yesterday. Published reports say Wilson was sitting at a desk on the third floor when a man walked in and began stabbing her. Bystanders reportedly grabbed the attacker and held him down until the police arrived, others gave Wilson CPR after she screamed she couldn’t breathe. It’s unclear whether it was a random attack or whether they knew each other. Glaudin will reportedly be back in court on Monday. The library remains closed today.
Peekskill Police Officer, Palisades Resident, Charged with Sexual Abuse, Freed on Bond
A Peekskill police officer, a resident of the Orangetown hamlet of Palisades, was freed on $100,000 bond yesterday, after a brief court appearance in Peekskill City Court. 33 year-old Michael Agovino faces charges of first-degree sexual abuse and stalking, and second-degree burglary, for allegedly sexually abusing a Peekskill woman. He’s accused of going to the woman’s home while on duty and in uniform several times and forcing her to undress. He’s been put on administrative leave. Peekskill’s mayor called the incident an embarrassment for the police department and the entire city. Agovino is due back in court on March 12. The case could be brought before a grand jury for potential indictment.