PARSIPPANY — Provident Bank made a donation of $4,000 to the Parsippany Concert Series Donation. Provident Bank is sponsoring “Time Machine” which performs on August 24, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Park.
Morris County Sheriff offers Summer Safety Tips
MORRIS COUNTY — As the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office wants the public to have a safe Independence Day and has provided several safety tips for residents.
“School is out, the weather is warm, families go away on vacation and enjoy outdoor recreational activities. However, a vacation can sometimes turn into a bad experience. Houses can be burglarized and accidents can occur while trying to have fun. The Sheriff’s Office has specialized units that see these unfortunate situations and we would like to help prevent them,” said Sheriff James M. Gannon.
Burglary Prevention
In 2016, the Morris County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Section responded to 213 residential burglaries, 104 commercial burglaries and 175 motor vehicle burglaries. If you plan to travel, the Criminal Investigation Section suggests using the following tips:
- Contact your local police department to inquire about property checks.
- Be aware of what you post on social media, including photos and where you “check-in.” This alerts followers you are on vacation.
- Make sure all doors and windows are locked.
- Make your residence look occupied in your absence. Set indoor and outdoor lights on timers, use motion sensors and have your mail and newspapers collected.
- Do not have any home improvements done on your house while you are away.
- Invest in a camera system or alarm company for home surveillance. There are reasonably priced systems available.
- If vehicles will be in the driveway, make sure they are locked and the garage door opener is not in the vehicle.
- Lock valuable and important items in a safe place only you would know.
- Consider having a friend or family member check on the house.
Fireworks Safety
Governor Chris Christie recently signed a bill legalizing “non explosive, non aerial” fireworks such as sparklers, party poppers and smoke devices in New Jersey. These now legal items can be possessed or sold to persons 16 years of age or older. Explosive fireworks are still illegal.
Morris County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad Commander, Det/Corporal Doug Meyer said, “Any fireworks are dangerous and should not be handled recklessly. Although non explosive items are legal, there is still a harmful factor in using them.”
- A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities.
- Wear safety glasses when using fireworks.
- Use the legal fireworks in a clear outdoor area, away from people, buildings and bushes.
- Never try to make your own fireworks.
- Be careful with sparklers! They burn at approximately 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt glass. They can ignite clothing and burn hands and feet. A fun alternative is to use glow sticks instead.
Be prepared for accidents:
- Have a bucket of water and/or fire extinguisher accessible.
- If injury occurs, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. Do not touch or rub an eye injury as this may cause more damage.
- Dispose spent fireworks by wetting them and placing in a metal trash can away from a building until the next day.
Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals!
- Do not pick up pieces of fireworks after an event.
- Do not bring pets to a fireworks display to avoid exposure to the sound.
- Make sure your pet has an identification tag in case it runs away.
Safe Boating Tips
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit works in conjunction with the New Jersey State Police patrolling the waters of Lake Hopatcong from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Boating accidents can be prevented by following these safety rules:
- The operator must have an operator license, valid registration and boating safety certificate in possession.
- Have personal flotation devices (PFD) available for all passengers on board. Children 12 and under must be wearing PFDs while the vessel is moving.
- A throwable seat cushion or ring buoy must be available.
- The vessel must be equipped with an adequate horn or whistle and approved fire extinguisher.
- Navigation lights must be on between sunset and sunrise.
- Be aware of your swimming capability.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Check local weather conditions before departure.
- Use common sense – operate at a safe speed, stay alert and be respectful of navigational aids and other boaters.
For more information on the Morris County Sheriff’s Office click here.
Vertellus Crafts “Custom Crates” for Youth Served by Children’s Aid and Family Services
WHIPPANY — An in a hands-on service project, 35 employees of specialty chemical company Vertellus built, assembled and decorated custom hand-carved “toy boxes” for eight girls age 8-12 served by Children’s Aid and Family Services.
The personalized toy boxes reflect the individual interests of each girl, including sports, art, reading, computers and kittens.
In addition to building the sturdy, personalized crates, Vertellus employees included a gift tailored to each girl’s interests. The toy boxes was delivered to the girls on Thursday, June 29. The boxes were assembled and decorated at the Hanover Marriott, 1401 Route 10.
“Our Caring Capital team was awed by the passion that Vertellus participants brought to their toy boxes. They applied their strategic planning skills to a radically different challenge and produced dazzling results. Just imagine how the young recipients will feel today when they receive their elegantly customized gifts,” stated Susie Schub, President – Caring Capital/Jumpstart.
Alexander Visakay engaged to Christina Smith
PARSIPPANY — Aida Visakay and her late husband Bill Visakay of Parsippany are pleased announce the engagement of their son Alexander Visakay to Christina Smith of Lafayette.
Alex is a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2005 and a 2010 graduate of Northeastern University with a Civil Engineer degree and Master’s degree from Montclair University.
Alex teaches S.T.E.M at Morris Hills High School.
Christina graduated High Point Regional High School in 2006 and Bloomsburg University in 2010, she teaches Special Ed at Frankford Township School.
A September wedding is planned.
Alyssa Chellaraj selected to West Point’s Prestigious Summer Leadership Camp
PARSIPPANY — Alyssa Chellaraj, an upcoming Senior at Parsippany Christian School, was among 1,000 attendees at West Point’s prestigious Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) in June. More than 5,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE, which offers outstanding high school juniors the opportunity to experience life at West Point. SLE attendees live in the cadet barracks, eat in the Cadet Mess, and participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. The one-week seminars are designed to help juniors with their college-selection process, while giving them an idea of the importance of leadership and sound decision-making in their education, careers, and lives, in general.
“Being able to attend the SLE at West Point, I was able to learn a lot about the life of a West Point Cadet. I was able to do some military training and had the opportunity to attend classes each day that resembled a cadet’s class,” stated Chellaraj. “The biggest thing I learned was about leadership and the important values that come with being a good and disciplined leader.”
Chellaraj was also inducted into the American Christian Honor Society this June. The American Christian Honor Society was created to honor qualified high school students in member schools. The American Christian Honor Society seeks to: Advance Christian Scholarship, Challenge Christian Leadership, Honor Christian Character, and Stimulate Christian Service.
This July, Chellaraj will be attending the Youth Legislative Training Conference (YLTC) in Washington D.C. Here, she will benefit from several activities including a Congressional briefing, professional workshops, and a mock Senate simulation in which she will debate real world issues.
“Discipline and hard work are the catalysts for success in any area of life,” stated Parsippany Christian Principal David Detwiler. “Alyssa has been the model student for discipline, hard-work, self-motivation, and determination. It is because of these character traits Alyssa has excelled and has been selected as a representative of both PCS and NJ at this summer’s Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. and was chosen as part of a selective group to participate in the Summer Leaders Experience at West Point.”
About Parsippany Christian School
Established in 1970, Parsippany Christian School has been one of the key ministries of Parsippany Baptist Church, conveniently located near the junctions of Route 10, 46, 80, and 287 in Morris County in Northern N.J. Parsippany Christian School educates students with classes from pre-Kindergarten through High School. Our goal is to assist and thus to partner with parents in their biblical role of both academic and spiritual education by offering a superior core education that encompasses both in a Christian worldview. Our faculty is dedicated to both sound academic instruction as well as to godly mentorship. The end goal is to train the next generation of Christian young people who will demonstrate biblical wisdom by surrendering their lives to the will of God and who will serve as a witness and testimony for Him in their community whether that be in the secular workforce or in full-time ministry. For more information click here.
Lap dances for Doctors who plead guilty in Parsippany Clinical Lab Scheme
PARSIPPANY — Five doctors admitted taking bribes in connection with a long-running and elaborate test referral scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services (BLS), of Parsippany, its president and numerous associates, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced. BLS was located at 181 New Road.
George Roussis, 44, of Staten Island, New York; Nicholas Roussis, 48, of Staten Island; Jorge J. Figueroa, 58, of Wayne; and Basel Batarseh, 57, of Franklin Lakes, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court to separate informations charging them each with one count of accepting bribes in violation of the Federal Travel Act.
Yousef Zibdie, 53, of Wayne, who was indicted on June 6, 2017 with Aiman Hamdan and Kristina Hamdan, pleaded guilty before Judge Chesler to all eleven counts against him in the indictment, including participating in the bribery conspiracy, violating the Federal Anti-Kickback statute, violating the Federal Travel Act, honest services wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:
George Roussis, a pediatrician, and his brother, Nicholas Roussis, an obstetrician-gynecologist, both with practices in Staten Island, accepted cash payments totaling approximately $175,000 from BLS employees and associates between October 2010 and April 2013. In addition, at the request of the Roussis brothers, BLS paid for strip club trips, including paying women to perform lap dances and engage in sex acts with George and Nicholas Roussis. In exchange, George and Nicholas Roussis referred their patients’ blood specimens to BLS, generating more than $1,450,000 and $250,000 of lab business for BLS, respectively.
Figueroa, an internal medicine doctor with a practice in Fair Lawn, accepted checks, cash and other bribe payments totaling approximately $200,000 from BLS employees and associates between May 2007 and April 2013. In exchange, Figueroa generated more than $1,400,000 in lab business for BLS.
Batarseh, an internal medicine doctor with a practice in West New York, accepted monthly bribe checks of $3,200 totaling more than $104,000 from BLS employees and associates between November 2007 and August 2010. In exchange, Batarseh generated more than $1,300,000 in lab business for BLS.
Zibdie, an internal medicine doctor with a practice in Woodland Park, accepted monthly bribe checks totaling approximately $80,000 from BLS employees and associates, including co-defendant Kristina Hamdan. In exchange, Zibdie generated more than $930,000 in lab business for BLS.
The investigation has thus far resulted in 50 convictions – 36 of them doctors – in connection with the bribery scheme, which its organizers have admitted involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies. It is believed to be the largest number of medical professionals ever prosecuted in a bribery case.
The investigation has to date recovered more than $13 million through forfeiture. On June 28, 2016, BLS, which is no longer operational, pleaded guilty and was required to forfeit all of its assets.
The Travel Act charges to which each of the five doctors pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison. It also carries a maximum $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
The conspiracy to engage in bribery charge and Federal Anti-Kickback Statute violations to which Zibdie pleaded guilty are punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison. The honest services wire fraud charges and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges to which Zibdie pleaded guilty are punishable by a maximum potential penalty of twenty years in prison. Each count also carries a maximum $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
The sentencings for all five defendants have been scheduled for December 6.
Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn; IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert with the ongoing investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Senior Litigation Counsel Joseph N. Minish and Jacob T. Elberg, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Ward, Acting Chief of the office’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit.
The New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office reorganized its health care fraud practice in 2010 and created a stand-alone Health Care and Government Fraud Unit to handle both criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of health care fraud offenses. Since that time, the office has recovered more than $1.34 billion in health care fraud and government fraud settlements, judgments, fines, restitution and forfeiture under the False Claims Act, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other statutes.
Susan Kruger joins RPA Insurance Services
PARSIPPANY — RPA Insurance Services announced Susan Kruger has joined the firm as the Head of Claims for Innovative Coverage Concepts (ICC) and Restaurant Programs of America (RPA). Kruger adds over twenty-five years of insurance experience, including fifteen years of experience managing national accounts, loss sensitive programs and third party administrator (TPA) relationships.
RPA Insurance Services is located at 8 Wood Hollow Road and has branch offices in suburban Philadelphia, Florida, Colorado, Connecticut, California, Missouri, and North Carolina.
“Susan’s skills and experience handling complex claims and structured settlements enable us to offer additional advocacy, advice and technical knowledge to our clients,” said Leslie Nylund, Chief Operating Officer for ICC and RPA. “She has a wide range of experience in multiple product lines, including workers’ compensation, from some of the top firms in the insurance industry. We’re pleased to have her on board with ICC and RPA.”
Prior to joining ICC, Kruger was Vice President responsible for claims management at Integro a global insurance broker ranked among the 25 largest US brokerage firms by Business Insurance. Prior to that she held various positions of increasing responsibility at global insurer, AIG.
Innovative Coverage Concepts, LLC (ICC) is a premier, national managing general agency (MGA) focused exclusively on developing and delivering specialized insurance programs for the hospitality industry and restaurants of all types, including fine dining, casual dining, bars, taverns and night clubs. ICC is distinguished by its custom risk management solutions and its innovative processes and technologies developed to assist clients in reducing risk and controlling claims costs and well as streamlining business processes.
Restaurant Programs of America (RPA) is a national retail insurance agency focused on providing quality business insurance products and services to specialized market segments, including hospitality and restaurant risks, throughout the United States.
Red Cross Offers Tips for a Fun and Safe Fourth of July
PARSIPPANY — Fourth of July is right around the corner and Parsippany residents as well as many other residents will be spending the holiday weekend firing up the backyard grill, traveling or enjoying one of the state’s many beaches, lakes and pools. The American Red Cross offers a series of steps everyone can follow to safely enjoy the holiday.
“Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue or headed to the shore, the American Red Cross has tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe while enjoying the Fourth of July holiday,” said Ana Montero, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region.
WATER SAFETY Many New Jerseyans may be planning swimming and other water-related activities for the Fourth of July. The Red Cross encourages everyone to make water safety a priority as they enjoy pools or any of the state’s beaches, lakes and rivers.
1. Ensure everyone in your family knows how to swim and only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
2. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
3. For a backyard pool, have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
4. If someone plans to swim in the ocean, they should always check weather conditions before going in the water.
5. Be aware of the danger of rip currents. If caught in one, swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. When free, turn and swim toward shore. If unable to swim to the shore, call out for help, float or tread water until free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
GRILLING SAFETY Every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills. Here are several steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:
1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
2. Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
3. Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
4. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
5. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
HIGHWAY SAFETY Millions of people will be on the highways over the Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross offers these five things everyone should do to stay safe while traveling:
1. Buckle seat belts, observe speed limits.
2. Do not drink and drive.
3. Pay full attention to the road – don’t use a cell phone to call or text.
4. Use caution in work zones.
5. Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night. Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.
EMERGENCY APP People can download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive severe weather watches and warnings in their local area, at travel destinations and where loved ones live. “Family Safe” is a unique feature that allows app users to notify family and friends who are in an area affected by an emergency or disaster. First Aid steps for situations such as heart attacks, heat-related emergencies and water safety information are also included. The content is available in English and Spanish. The app can be downloaded from app stores by searching for “American Red Cross” or by clicking here.
Shoplifters nabbed after passerby alerted police
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrol Officer Z. Koch was assisting at a medical call at 4:00 p.m. on June 24 at Home Depot when he was alerted by a passerby that a male was possibly shoplifting at Modell’s Sporting Goods Store.
He advised a nearby patrol unit of the information and as they arrived on scene, they observed a male matching the given description running through the parking lot and get into the passenger seat of a 2011 Nissan Rogue.
At this time Patrol Officer Z. Koch was able to get back to his patrol vehicle and initiate a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle as it attempted to drive away.
After a brief investigation by Patrol Officer Koch, G. Bloete and J. Seeger, the passenger, Gregoria Calvo, 47, Union City, and driver, Jose Nunez, 39, Union City, were placed under arrest for multiple offenses and transported to Parsippany Police Headquarters.
While at Parsippany Police Headquarters, the investigation continued with the assistance of Detective A. Morelli. Officers located numerous pieces of stolen merchandise inside the 2011 Nissan Rogue belonging to the Parsippany Home Depot.
The two males were subsequently charged with the following:
Jose Nunez was charged on a Complaint-Summons with one count of Third Degree Theft by Unlawful Taking of Movable Property and one count of Third Degree Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting.
He was released on his own recognizance.
Gregorio Calvo was charged on a Complaint-Warrant with one count of Third Degree Shoplifting (Modell’s Sporting Goods), one count of Third Degree Shoplifting (Home Depot), one count of Third Degree Unlawful Taking of Movable Property, one count of Fourth Degree Hindering Apprehension (Initially gave a fake name to officers) and one count of Third Degree Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting.
He was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his court date.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Another Vehicle broken in at LA Fitness
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers responded to LA Fitness, 1159 Route 46, for a reported burglary to a vehicle at 6:23 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27.
Upon speaking to the victim they were advised that his 2014 BMW 320i was broken and a bag containing electronics and a watch was removed from the vehicle.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.