Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Kane In Your Corner
The outcome from last year's election have left some people wondering what actually happened. Now Kane In Your Corner is taking a look and reporting back. http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=282402
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Link To US Vs Gartland and O'Leary Indictment 5/2011
FBI Press Release
Department of Justice Press Release
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For Immediate Release
May 19, 2011 United States Attorney's Office
District of New Jersey
Contact: (973) 645-2888
Insurance Broker and Executive Director of South Amboy, New Jersey Housing Authority Charged with Federal Election Fraud
NEWARK, NJ—A Newark federal grand jury has indicted Francis X. Gartland, an insurance broker, and Thomas J. O'Leary, the executive director of the South Amboy Housing Authority, for alleged federal election fraud, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. The six-count indictment, returned by the grand jury on May 17, 2011, and unsealed today, variously charges Gartland, 70, of Baltimore, Md., and O'Leary, 49, of South Amboy, N.J., with conspiracy to defraud the United States, violations of federal elections laws, and causing false statements to be submitted to the Federal Election Commission in connection with the 2006 Democratic primary campaign of Joseph Vas for United States Congress in New Jersey's 13th District.
O'Leary surrendered this morning to special agents of the FBI and is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court. Gartland, who was separately charged in December 2010 for, among other things, allegedly participating in a bribery and kickback scheme and evading federal income taxes, is currently out on a $1 million bond in connection with those charges. An arraignment for both defendants will be scheduled before the U.S. District Judge assigned to the case.
According to the indictment unsealed today:
Gartland and O'Leary allegedly participated in a scheme to use "straw" or "conduit" contributors to funnel contributions to the Vas congressional campaign. Vas, the former mayor of Perth Amboy and New Jersey state assemblyman, and Melvin Ramos, Vas' former mayoral aide and the treasurer of Vas' campaign, were convicted on October 8, 2010, following a jury trial, of charges of mail fraud, fraud and misapplication of funds, false statements, and federal election crimes. Vas and Ramos were sentenced to 78 and 37 months in prison, respectively, by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton on April 12, 2011. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Wigenton sentenced Vas and Ramos to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay $90,000 in restitution to Perth Amboy. Vas was also ordered to pay a $73,200 fine.
The indictment charging Gartland and O'Leary alleges that during the 2005-2006 election cycle, the defendants recruited 15 straw contributors to contribute between $2,000 and $2,100 each to Vas' federal campaign committee. Gartland and O'Leary allegedly funded the straw contributions by reimbursing each of the contributors by cash or check. Straw contributions are prohibited by the Federal Election Campaign Act.
The charges in the Indictment and maximum potential penalties per count are as follows:
Count(s) Charged Defendant(s) Maximum Potential Penalty
1– conspiracy to defraud the United States O'Leary, Gartland Five years in prison; $250,000 fine, or twice the aggregate gain or loss
2 – making contributions to a federal candidate in the names of others (more than $10,000 in a calendar year) Gartland Two years in prison; fine of
not less than 300 percent and
not more than the greater of
$50,000 or 1,000 percent of
the amount involved in the
violation
3 – making contributions to a federal candidate in the names of others O'Leary One year in prison; $100,000 fine
4,5 – causing false statements to the Federal Election Commission Gartland Five years in prison; $250,000 fine, or twice the aggregate gain or loss
6 – causing false statements to the Federal Election Commission O'Leary Five years in prison; $250,000 fine, or twice the aggregate gain or loss
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward, with the investigation leading to the Indictment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee M. Cortes Jr., of the U.S. Attorney's Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Gartland: John D. Arseneault Esq., Chatham, N.J.
O'Leary: Sam Braverman Esq., Bronx, N.Y.
white spacer
For Immediate Release
May 19, 2011 United States Attorney's Office
District of New Jersey
Contact: (973) 645-2888
Insurance Broker and Executive Director of South Amboy, New Jersey Housing Authority Charged with Federal Election Fraud
NEWARK, NJ—A Newark federal grand jury has indicted Francis X. Gartland, an insurance broker, and Thomas J. O'Leary, the executive director of the South Amboy Housing Authority, for alleged federal election fraud, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. The six-count indictment, returned by the grand jury on May 17, 2011, and unsealed today, variously charges Gartland, 70, of Baltimore, Md., and O'Leary, 49, of South Amboy, N.J., with conspiracy to defraud the United States, violations of federal elections laws, and causing false statements to be submitted to the Federal Election Commission in connection with the 2006 Democratic primary campaign of Joseph Vas for United States Congress in New Jersey's 13th District.
O'Leary surrendered this morning to special agents of the FBI and is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court. Gartland, who was separately charged in December 2010 for, among other things, allegedly participating in a bribery and kickback scheme and evading federal income taxes, is currently out on a $1 million bond in connection with those charges. An arraignment for both defendants will be scheduled before the U.S. District Judge assigned to the case.
According to the indictment unsealed today:
Gartland and O'Leary allegedly participated in a scheme to use "straw" or "conduit" contributors to funnel contributions to the Vas congressional campaign. Vas, the former mayor of Perth Amboy and New Jersey state assemblyman, and Melvin Ramos, Vas' former mayoral aide and the treasurer of Vas' campaign, were convicted on October 8, 2010, following a jury trial, of charges of mail fraud, fraud and misapplication of funds, false statements, and federal election crimes. Vas and Ramos were sentenced to 78 and 37 months in prison, respectively, by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton on April 12, 2011. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Wigenton sentenced Vas and Ramos to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay $90,000 in restitution to Perth Amboy. Vas was also ordered to pay a $73,200 fine.
The indictment charging Gartland and O'Leary alleges that during the 2005-2006 election cycle, the defendants recruited 15 straw contributors to contribute between $2,000 and $2,100 each to Vas' federal campaign committee. Gartland and O'Leary allegedly funded the straw contributions by reimbursing each of the contributors by cash or check. Straw contributions are prohibited by the Federal Election Campaign Act.
The charges in the Indictment and maximum potential penalties per count are as follows:
Count(s) Charged Defendant(s) Maximum Potential Penalty
1– conspiracy to defraud the United States O'Leary, Gartland Five years in prison; $250,000 fine, or twice the aggregate gain or loss
2 – making contributions to a federal candidate in the names of others (more than $10,000 in a calendar year) Gartland Two years in prison; fine of
not less than 300 percent and
not more than the greater of
$50,000 or 1,000 percent of
the amount involved in the
violation
3 – making contributions to a federal candidate in the names of others O'Leary One year in prison; $100,000 fine
4,5 – causing false statements to the Federal Election Commission Gartland Five years in prison; $250,000 fine, or twice the aggregate gain or loss
6 – causing false statements to the Federal Election Commission O'Leary Five years in prison; $250,000 fine, or twice the aggregate gain or loss
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward, with the investigation leading to the Indictment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee M. Cortes Jr., of the U.S. Attorney's Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Gartland: John D. Arseneault Esq., Chatham, N.J.
O'Leary: Sam Braverman Esq., Bronx, N.Y.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Community Gardens
Community gardens have become more popular in communities like ours over the years. Why might you ask?
Community gardens give us the chance to work together, young and more mature (I refuse to say old after having a 105 year old patient last week who told me she was young).
Community gardens beautify our living areas and are green. Community gardens help reduce waste and greenhouse gases. Community gardens increase and improve our health by gardening and eating the delouse food they provide.
Community gardens build community partnerships.
Community gardens give us the chance to work together, young and more mature (I refuse to say old after having a 105 year old patient last week who told me she was young).
Community gardens beautify our living areas and are green. Community gardens help reduce waste and greenhouse gases. Community gardens increase and improve our health by gardening and eating the delouse food they provide.
Community gardens build community partnerships.
Friday, September 10, 2010
It's Almost that Time Of Year
The smell of election time is in the air. September marks the beginning of the campaign promises and the polished resumes of hopefuls in their quest for public office.
Thus far I've seen a full page ad with the heading "Responsible Government for South Amboy" in the South Amboy Sayreville Times. The featured candidates are incumbents: Council President Fred Henry, Joseph Connors and new comers Michael Gross and Donald Applegate. With a promise to "...keep improving the quality of life for our residents and our children", I wonder if that's what council members Henry and Connors had in mind with last years 38% municipal tax increase, the laying off of 5 police officers, and the endless bonding that they just couldn't ever seem to vote "no" for or abstain during meetings.
In addition to improving the quality life of all, they also want it known that they:
Created the YMCA, Developed a model for open spaces including the county government's waterfront park, achieved state recognition due to New Jersey Transit's construction of the new platforms, and again mention the "State of the Art" Train Station (as if recognition of New Jersey Transit constructing a new train station which was part of their state wide improvement plan and ADA compliance platforms, wasn't enough for the candidates).
It is important to also recognize that these candidates opened the South Amboy beaches to residents for walking and surf fishing, as well as developed New Jersey's first public school with a public library. I just wonder why they didn't mention the boat launch. We do after all have one.
Perhaps my favorite accomplishment, and one that is near and dear to me is how these very concerned men rebuilt every single park in South Amboy,with the Green Acres grant that I suggested. I recall speaking to Fred about the grant at city hall and him telling me it couldn't be used for playground projects. So while these men are patting themselves on their backs, I am profoundly surprised that they would claim such a project for their campaign due to the fact that they were clueless about the state of the parks as of last year, and were in my opinion embarrassed into action, with the solution handed to them on a plate during a council meeting.
And the last accomplishment of closing every strip club down improving the quality of life and the property values. So we have lost Delilah's Den and we are gaining a large sports bar, I'm sure that will certainly raise the quality of life and the property tax, especially those who live on the 500 blocks of George Street, John Street, and Henry Street.
If you haven't heard there are other people running too.
Mary O'Connor is running for mayor, her website is: http://unitedsouthamboy.wordpress.com/good-government/
Saverio Sagliocco is running for Councilman at Large. He is a member of Sacred Heart Parish and had an article published in May which may be accessed at:
Both Mary and Saverio have been active in the community and attended council meetings. Both Mr. Applegate, who replaced Councilman Russ Stillwagon after his passing, and Micky Gross did not routinely participate or attend council meetings, Mr. Gross has been seen since he has thrown his hat in the ring, possible at the urging of those who are currently elected.
Thus far I've seen a full page ad with the heading "Responsible Government for South Amboy" in the South Amboy Sayreville Times. The featured candidates are incumbents: Council President Fred Henry, Joseph Connors and new comers Michael Gross and Donald Applegate. With a promise to "...keep improving the quality of life for our residents and our children", I wonder if that's what council members Henry and Connors had in mind with last years 38% municipal tax increase, the laying off of 5 police officers, and the endless bonding that they just couldn't ever seem to vote "no" for or abstain during meetings.
In addition to improving the quality life of all, they also want it known that they:
Created the YMCA, Developed a model for open spaces including the county government's waterfront park, achieved state recognition due to New Jersey Transit's construction of the new platforms, and again mention the "State of the Art" Train Station (as if recognition of New Jersey Transit constructing a new train station which was part of their state wide improvement plan and ADA compliance platforms, wasn't enough for the candidates).
It is important to also recognize that these candidates opened the South Amboy beaches to residents for walking and surf fishing, as well as developed New Jersey's first public school with a public library. I just wonder why they didn't mention the boat launch. We do after all have one.
Perhaps my favorite accomplishment, and one that is near and dear to me is how these very concerned men rebuilt every single park in South Amboy,with the Green Acres grant that I suggested. I recall speaking to Fred about the grant at city hall and him telling me it couldn't be used for playground projects. So while these men are patting themselves on their backs, I am profoundly surprised that they would claim such a project for their campaign due to the fact that they were clueless about the state of the parks as of last year, and were in my opinion embarrassed into action, with the solution handed to them on a plate during a council meeting.
And the last accomplishment of closing every strip club down improving the quality of life and the property values. So we have lost Delilah's Den and we are gaining a large sports bar, I'm sure that will certainly raise the quality of life and the property tax, especially those who live on the 500 blocks of George Street, John Street, and Henry Street.
If you haven't heard there are other people running too.
Mary O'Connor is running for mayor, her website is: http://unitedsouthamboy.wordpress.com/good-government/
Saverio Sagliocco is running for Councilman at Large. He is a member of Sacred Heart Parish and had an article published in May which may be accessed at:
Both Mary and Saverio have been active in the community and attended council meetings. Both Mr. Applegate, who replaced Councilman Russ Stillwagon after his passing, and Micky Gross did not routinely participate or attend council meetings, Mr. Gross has been seen since he has thrown his hat in the ring, possible at the urging of those who are currently elected.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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