PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit (PR&R) and Lake Parsippany Fire Department held their 5th annual car and truck show at Lanidex Plaza off Parsippany Road. This event was held Saturday, August 15.
The show featured unique cars, trucks, motorcycles and vehicles.
Proceeds will go to Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit and Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3 to help continue their service to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
LEMONADE STAND: The lemonade stand was staffed by the Wives and Daughters of Rescue and Recovery. From left to right are Ceyla Beg, Ruby Beg, Kelli Neidel, Chrisanne Sandford, Vicki Sandford, Bea Niclaus, Jessica Niclaus and Judy LarickFormer Councilman Jonathan Nelson and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Paul PhilippsParsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Paul Philipps and Parsippany Focus Photographer Nicolas LimanovCouncil Vice President Robert Peluso and Robert, Jr., were listening to Andrew Ludwig demonstrating the dive and swift water rescue equipment at the Car and Truck ShowThe trophies for the winnersChrisanne Sanford, 11 and Gio Collins were listening to Andrew Ludwig demonstrating the dive and swift water rescue equipment at the Car and Truck ShowJake Bae, Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., and Chief John Tranculov, with the Carifi twins Jonathan and TylerJake Bae, Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Michael dePierro, Council candidate Loretta Gragnani and Rescue and Recovery Chief John TranculovPradip Trevedi, Al Goldberg and Claus Finke
MORRISTOWN — The Fifth Annual Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival was held on Saturday, August 15 from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.
The line up included Swingadelic, Bria Skonberg, Bucky Pizzarelli Guitar Summit with Frank Yignola, Vinnie Raniolo and Ed Laub, Roomful of Blues and Charlie Musselwhite Band.
The Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival has become one of the most popular events in the region for so many reasons. Of course, Morristown has a wonderful town center with a beautiful Green, but is also offers plenty to do when the music stops. But the music is the main attraction and the talent has been top-notch.
The crowd enjoying the Jazz and Blues FestivalMorristown Township Attorney Vijayant Pawar, his wife, Jennifer, Morristown’s First Lady Mary Dougherty and Former Parsippany Councilman Jonathan NelsonParsippany Focus Publisher Frank Cahill with Morristown’s First Lady Mary DoughertySeven month old Collie was enjoying the festival. Collie was a rescue dog adopted from The Last Resort RescueThe crowd was huge at the Jazz & Blues Festival on the Morristown GreenBria Skonberg at the Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival.Peter Gordon from Discover Maps of Morristown was handling out Morristown maps to all of the concert goersMorristown Mayor Timothy P. Dougherty with former Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Jonathan NelsonBria Skonberg at the Morristown Jazz and Blues FestivalParsippany Focus Publisher Frank Cahill with Morristown Mayor Timothy P. Dougherty
Swingadelic is a ten-piece “little big band” that performs regularly up and down the East Coast. Popular at summer jazz festivals, the group was in residence at Maxwell’s in Hoboken for six years and has recorded six CDs. The band currently is in residence at Swing 46, located in the New York City Theatre District.
With guest guitarists Frank Vignola, Vinnie Raniola and Ed Laub, Guitar Summit has become a tradition for the festival and for good reason. Legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli surrounds himself with extraordinarily talented players and do they swing! At almost ninety, Bucky is playing better than ever and who knows who will show up to jam with him.
Trumpeter/vocalist/composer Bria Skonberg is a star on the rise in the jazz world. Since moving from British Columbia to New York City in 2010, she has attracted attention from DownBeat Magazine, theWall Street Journal and the Jazz Journalists’ Association who nominated her “Up and Coming Jazz Artist of the Year” in 2013. Her current ensemble will be coming to Morristown from their appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival.
For more than 45 years, Roomful of Blues has celebrated jump blues and R&B with their horn-powered ensemble. Led by acclaimed blues guitarist Chris Vachon, the group has received five Grammy nominations, seven Blues Music Awards and was twice selected by the DownBeat Critics Pollas the Best Blues Band. Their infectious swing will have everyone partying.
Harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite is one of the most revered blues musicians in the world. This Blues Hall of Famer has collaborated with an extraordinary list of music legends over his 50 year career, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Joe Williams and B. B. King to name a few. He has won countless awards, appeared on scores of albums and was the inspiration for Dan Akroyd’s character in the Blues Brothers!
Major sponsors of Morristown Jazz and Blues included Jeff Rawding AIA, Toll Brothers, Hot House, NJ Arts.net, Star Ledger, Riker Danzig Alaimo Group, Atlantic Health System, DeFrancescoBateman, Greenbaum Rowe Smith Davis, LLP, Hampshire, The Herrick Company, Iron Bar, Lindabury, Marchetto Higgins Stieve, McEnerney, Brady and Company, MPAC, Morristown Municipal Airport, Jersey Jazz Society, Porzio, Bijou Properties, Inglesino Webster Wyciskala Taylor, LLC, Jersey Central Power and Light, Normandy, PSE&G, Sherman Wells, Connect One Bank, Grasshopper off the Green and Investors Bank.
Additional sponsors included Headquarters Plaza, Lakeside Consulting, Morristown Inn Best Western, Morristown Parking Authority, Silverman, Sona Thirteen, Weiner Lesniak, David Brady, Esq., Cipollini Carting and Villa Enterprises.
PARSIPPANY — Emma Marie Wyman is a happy, beautiful nine-month-old baby girl undergoing at least one year’s worth of treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a rare type of sarcoma.
Her parents, AJ & Lindsey (Kmit) Wyman, who are lifelong residents of Parsippany, learned of Emma’s tumor in late May and have taken her to Philadelphia to be treated by internationally-recognized pediatric oncologists.
As they await more in-depth results regarding the type of sarcoma Emma has and begin chemotherapy, AJ has begun to take time off from his job as a corrections officer, while Lindsey is on her unpaid summer break from teaching sixth grade social studies at Brooklawn Middle School. During this life-altering time, AJ and Lindsey will incur costs from medical to travel expenses, while keeping up with their regular monthly bills for their cars, home, etc. Please know that even the smallest donation will go a long way to aid baby Emma and her loving parents during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for your love, support, and above all, your prayers.
Wide World of Summer Camp Counselors volunteer their time for this fundraiserTricky tray baskets raised money for the fundraiser, donated by local area businesses
The counselors, leaders, teachers from the Wide World of Summer Camp, gathered together and arranged a fundraiser for Emma. They hosted a movie night and tricky tray at Parsippany High School on Thursday, July 30.
Wide World of Summer (WWS) provides a fun-filled summer for your child and a worry free summer.
WWS is an eight-week camp/enrichment program for in or out-of-district students that is filled with fantastic activities, programs, and field trips. Students swim on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and spend Wednesday’s on an exciting field trip. Afternoons are spent participating in enrichment classes in science, art, computers, physical education and more.
PARSIPPANY — Mt. Tabor celebrated the 146th Annual Children’s Day Weekend, starting on Thursday, August 6 through Sunday, August 9.
The King is Noah Munn; Queen is Hannah Ververs; First Attendants are Rachei Bozza and Harrison Weaver; and Second Attendant are Brianne Partington and Jamaai Parker.
The 2015 Mt. Tabor Children’s Day is all about paying tribute to the children of Tabor.
The 146-year-old celebration, which kicked off Thursday and the parade, concert and fire works took place Saturday throughout the historic Parsippany neighborhood.
Presiding over the special day is the led by King is Noah Munn and Queen is Hannah Ververs. The monarchs and their court will be crowned at the yearly coronation ball held for Mt. Tabor residents and guests Friday evening.
The centerpiece event of the day is the annual Midway Parade.
Another parade kicked off at approximately 7:00 p.m. This event featured the prize winners and Parsippany’s Volunteer Fire Districts, Ambulance Squads, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.
The evening ended with a concert featuring “Herman’s Hermits” at the country club and then fireworks.
The concert and fireworks are funded by Margaret and Francis X. Wentworth.
Other weekend events, since their inception 145 years ago, have been funded by the residents who volunteer their time, effort and money through fund raising events including a bake sale, pancake breakfast, car wash, hoagie sale and house to house collections.
The Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department provided a barbecue dinner to all of the local emergency responders who participated in the parade.
Herman’s Hermits performed after the parade.
Grand Marshall Wayne Englehardt
The parade continues
Steve Cisco from Mt. Tabor Fire Department
Jeff Swenson, Ambassador of Good Will of Morristown Fire Department hands Steve Cisco a certificate honoring the Mt. Tabor Fire Department for 105 years of community service
King Noah Munn and Queen Hannah Ververs
First Attendants Harrison Weaver and Rachael Bozza
Second Attendants Jamaal Parker and Brianne Partington
The Magic Dragon: Hudson Catanzaro
The United Methodist Church at Mt. Tabor
Breanne Calabrese and Aaron Bauer, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Dan Morgan, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Paul Anderson and Chief John Tranculov
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Captain Louis Yuliano, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery
Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid Squad
Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid Squad volunteers Julia Ruggier and Gina Pasquale
Andres Felipe Giraldo, Parsippany Fire District 5
Karen DeChristopher, OEM
Nicolas Limanov, Al Goldberg and Edy Toussaint
Lake Hiawatha Fire Department receiving a citation from Jeff Swenson, Ambassador of Good Will of Morristown Fire Department
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 4
Lake Hiawatha Fire Department receiving a citation from Jeff Swenson, Ambassador of Good Will of Morristown Fire Department
CHESTER — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announced the arrest of several cocaine traffickers following a two month drug investigation in western Morris County.
Members of the Chester Borough Police Department received information regarding cocaine distribution within their jurisdiction. Thereafter, an investigation commenced and intelligence was developed by members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Chester Borough Police and officers assigned to the Morris County Narcotics Task Force.
Multiple individuals were identified as the persons alleged to be distributing cocaine from their residence.
On August 14, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at a residence in the Long Valley section of Washington Township. As a result, about 262 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street retail value in excess of $16,000, various packaging and distribution materials, and some $15,000 in U.S. currency were seized.
The Narcotics Task Force subsequently arrested Arnoldo Castro Balcarcel, 42, Long Valley; Gerson Manuel Castro Balcarcel, 19, Long Valley; and Rolando Cabrera Hernandez, 24, Long Valley.
The trio has been charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely cocaine, in a quantity greater than 5 ounces, plus third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
They were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morris Township default of $250,000 bail.
A fourth suspect, Oscar Castro Balcarcel, of Long Valley, was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine. He was issued a summons and released.
Judge Ira Cohen authorized the warrant complaints and bails for the defendants.
“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit continues to combat dangerous drugs being distributed throughout Morris County,” said Prosecutor Knapp.
“The success of these investigations and the efforts against narcotics related offenses is not possible without our municipal, county and state partners, who not only contribute to intelligence gathering efforts but also supply officers to the Morris County Narcotics Task Force.”
The prosecutor said the following agencies played a prominent role in the investigation: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Chester Borough Police Department, Washington Township Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
The investigation was led by Captain Michael Rice and Lieutenant V. Harrison Dillard of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division and Chester Borough Police Chief David Jara.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan of the Special Operations Division and supervised by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Matilda A. Mola, 66, of Mountain Lakes, has been sentenced today in connection with the forgery of $136,800.00 worth of checks.
On May 19, 2015, Mola pled guilty to ten counts of forgery, which are third degree crimes.
Superior Court Judge William J. McGovern, III, today sentenced Mola to a five years of probation, after which she must serve 364 days in the Morris County Corrections Facility.
Mola also was ordered to pay the remaining amount of restitution totaling $114,460.00. Prior to her sentencing, Mola paid $22,340 in restitution.
This prosecution stemmed from Mola’s action of forging her sister’s name on ten courtesy checks totaling $136,800.00 from a Bank of America line of credit account. The account belonged to her sister and brother, Mary and Joseph Mola.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Francine S. Ehrenberg represented the state during the prosecution.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Financial Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, for their efforts on this case.
It’s a cool start to Friday across New Jersey, but it will get much warmer. Although some parts of northwestern New Jersey are reporting temperatures in the low 50s as of 7 a.m, it won’t stay that way. Forecasters are calling for another sunny, warm afternoon which will lead into an even hotter weekend. PLUS: Early…
PARSIPPANY — For the past several months many Lake Hiawatha residents have lamented to Parsippany Focus that a growing rodent problem is occurring in and around the business district along North Beverwyck Road in Lake Hiawatha. The mayor’s office has been alerted to the infestation problem and any resident observing rats (or rat droppings) should immediately contact the mayor’s action center.
An ordinance that is currently being considered by the Town Council will limit the amount of household and business trash that may be deposited in township trash cans along North Beverwyck Road. Penalties for violating the ordinance include fines of up to $2500 for first offenders and up to $10,000 in fines for every subsequent offense. To read the entire ordinance, click here.
For years, receptacles have overflowed with trash, to the point where they fill up almost as soon as trash is collected by the township.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Joseph Roman meets with Governor Christie at Seaside Park.
Roman, of the Glacier Hills section of Parsippany, was chosen as a Distinguished Alumnus for the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), in 2013.
He is an adjunct professor at NJIT, where he teachers business and management.
Joe is involved in Technology Sales and Marketing, and a local business leader and Trustee at Morris Catholic High School.
Roman attended Saint Christopher School, and graduated from Morris Catholic High School in Denville. Roman earned bachelor’s degree in management at Alvernia University in Reading, PA, and his master’s degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Roman and his wife, Danielle, have three children: Joseph Jr., Christopher and Nicholas.
He is a member of the Parsippany Knights of Columbus and is involved in local politics as a county committeeman. He is also involved in the Parsippany Youth Sports Program as a soccer and Little League baseball coach and as a team sponsor.
Prior to starting the Accelerant Sales Group 13 years ago Roman had worked as a senior manager for Dialogic and later was sales director of Intel Corporation where he was recognized as the leading corporate sales manager and received numerous sales and marketing honors and recognitions.
PARSIPPANY — A group of fifteen Parsippany High School students, four teachers and two administrators met for a summer book club.
The students and staff involved all read the young adult novel We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. After having some snacks and drinks, the group discussed and analyzed the novel, sharing their insight and questions.
The best part of the day was when the group took out their phones and did some live tweeting with the author. The author answered their questions for forty-five minutes using the hashtag #phsreads.
Some of the topics included her inspiration for the book; a potential film based on the book; her use of fairy tales as a plot device; and the themes of family, friendship, grief and race. It was a great day for all involved.
HANOVER — Morris County’s newest Wegmans Food Market should be open by the first half of 2017, according Jeanne Colleluori, a Wegmans spokeswoman.
Construction is underway on a long-awaited Wegmans Food Market in Hanover. According to Ms. Colleluori, the company is working on designing plans for the interior. She stated all the products and services offered at other Wegmans locations in the Garden State, should be offered in the new store.
Most stores have pizzerias and buffets with sit-down areas to enjoy food.
Colleluori has previously said shoppers can look forward to “consistent low prices and incredible service” at the store, which will have “a focus on restaurant quality foods” and “organic options in every department.”
There are seven other New Jersey locations: Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Manalapan, Mount Laurel, Ocean, Princeton, and Woodbridge Township.
Trees were cleared from the 38.5 acre site — for the Wegmans Food Store and other retail stores, including possibly a bank — located close to the intersection of Ridgedale Avenue and Sylvan Way, in the Mack-Cali Business Campus off of Route 10 in Parsippany.
The site work is visible to Route 287 south, past the Entin Road exit and before the Route 10 exit.
In 2013, Hanover Planning Board approved a 140,000 square-foot Wegmans supermarket along with three restaurant buildings, a bank building and parking for 1,178 cars at Sylvan Way and Ridgedale Avenue located on the northern side of Route 10 across from Ridgedale on what is now vacant wooded land.
The entrance exit would entail a jug handle on Route 10 at an extension of Ridgedale Avenue across Route 10.
Wegmans would be one of the largest supermarkets in Morris County and, at 120,000 square feet, larger even than the gargantuan 80,000-square foot ShopRite of Morristown on East Hanover Avenue that opened November 2013.
The site will use water and sewer from Parsippany-Troy Hills for the property, under an agreement that dates back some 25 years, and was renewed by the Township Council in 2013.
Making way for a new Wegmans Food Store
The heavy equipment is clearing the site
More heavy equipment
Drainage pipes ready to be installed
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a privately held U.S. regional supermarket chain headquartered in Gates, New York, near Rochester. Wegmans has 85 stores in the mid-Atlantic and New England regions, in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Founded in 1916 in Rochester, Wegmans has appeared on Fortune’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list since the list first appeared in 1998, and has ranked among the top 10 for eight consecutive years. Food Network recognized it with its award for Best Grocery Store in 2007, and Consumer Reports ranked it the top large U.S. grocery chain in 2012 and in 2014. It was also profiled as part of “Here Are The Jobs” segment on Politics Nation on July 6, 2012.
Danny Wegman is CEO. His daughter, Colleen Wegman, is president; his other daughter, Nicole Wegman, is vice-president of restaurant operations. His father, Robert, who died in 2006, was chairman. Robert was the son of co-founder Walter. During his life, Robert Wegman distinguished himself as a pioneer in the retail food business, as well as a generous donor to educational institutions and other charities.
The owner of the property is Hanover 3201, stands for the tax lot number of the site, is a subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty LP.
The site is approximately 4.5 miles from the failed Whole Foods site on Waterview Boulevard.
Water use in New Jersey has increased, which environmentalists say could cause problems during the next drought. The total amount of water used by families, businesses, and two nuclear power plants rose by 110 million gallons per day between 2000 and 2010, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. That amounts to an increase of…
PARSIPPANY — A Video Game Con, a video game convention dedicated to both retro and modern gaming, will take place Saturday, September 19, at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.
The convention will start at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 11:45 p.m.
The event in celebration of all things video gaming and will offer many game-related activities including free to play arcade and gaming consoles, indie developer showcases, gaming tournaments, musical performances, special guests and cosplay.
It will also bring together some of the best video game vendors in the tri-state area for buying, selling, and trading games as well as vendors selling customized apparel and unique artwork.
The convention is organized by ButtonSmasher, LLC, a company founded by Paul Solomine, a local video game enthusiast and collector.
Special guests scheduled to attend AVGC include:
• Billy Mitchell: video game arcade record holder and legend
• Richie Knucklez: arcade owner, classic arcade restorer, and Arcade Culture Webshow host
• Brain Nelson aka DJ Wheels: Asteroids arcade world record holder
• Lua Suicide: alternative model, cosplayer, and SuicideGirl
• Elena Blueskies: NYC-based cosplayer
• Toni X Temptress: local cosplayer
• Clown Queen: local cosplayer
• Jules Starn: local cosplayer
• Shock: video game tournament guru, Mortal Kombat legend, and owner of KombatNetwork
The convention will feature a musical performance showcase, including the following acts:
• Chipocrite: Mixing the sounds of a Nintendo GameBoy and contemporary influences, the legendary chiptune artist, Chipocrite (Paul Weinstein), has composed music for live performances such as Vans Warp Tour, MAGFest, AnimeNext and various video games such as Beard Wars and EarthNight.
• Kris Keyser: Using retro technology, another chiptune veteran, Kris Keyser, composes low-bit songs and soundtracks. Kris has performed at notable shows such as Blip Festival, PAX East and MAGFest. His music has been featured in the 8bitpeoples label, and several indie games such as Armillo: The Parallel Universe Mystery and Chip Beat Blaster.
• Montclair Gamer Symphony Orchestra: Formed by a local ensemble of gamers with musical talents, the Montclair Gamer Symphony Orchestra performs live orchestral music from fan favorite games such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Halo and Pokemon.
• The Schwam: This multi-genre group consists of members Brandon Bachrach, Jason Basner, Jon Rosario, Mike Marguccio and Bryan George. They cover a variety of music from the funky tunes of the 70’s to the trumpet pumping sounds of ska from the 90’s, including their own unique video game covers.
• 10th Dimension & Parallax: This dynamic EDM proudcer/DJ duo consist of Nima Moayer and Armin Papp, two musicians who are looking to bring their creative twist by changing up conventional beats and blending the genres of house, electro, breakbeat, dubstep, trap, hip-hop, and drum n bass in a single set.
What’s there to do at AVGC?
Cosplay Contests
Meet Special Guests
Musical Performances by chiptune DJs and rock bands
Panels about video game history, culture & more.
Pro & Casual Video Game Tournaments
Auctions/Raffles/Giveaways
Indie Video Game Developers
Video Game themed Burlesque show
Food to satisfy your caloric intake needs
Console Freeplay
and so much more.
The convention will also feature a special video game burlesque performance by Lily Stiches and the Ink & Paint Burlesque troupe.
Ticket prices range from $15.00 to $50.00 and can be purchased in advance. For tickets click here. For more information on the event, or other events, click here.
PARSIPPANY – A doctor with practices in Nassau County, New York, was charged with accepting bribes in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), 181 New Road, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Bret Ostrager, 50, of Woodbury, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with one count of conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Federal Travel Act, three substantive violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and four substantive violations of the Federal Travel Act. Ostrager is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Stanley Chesler on August 19, 2015.
Ostrager is the first defendant to be indicted in connection with the BLS bribery scheme. To date, 38 people – 26 of them doctors – have pleaded guilty 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 $11.5 million through forfeiture.
According to the indictment:
Between February 2011 and April 2013, Ostrager received monthly cash bribes of approximately $3,300.00 from BLS employees and associates. He periodically solicited and received from the BLS employees and associates tickets and meals that cost thousands of dollars. These additional bribes in response to specific requests from Ostrager included tickets to a New York Mets baseball game, a New York Knicks basketball game, a Katy Perry concert, a Justin Bieber concert, and the Broadway show “Newsies.” In exchange, Ostrager referred patient blood samples to BLS. Ostrager’s referrals generated approximately $909,000.00 in lab business for BLS.
If convicted, Ostrager faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison on each of the counts on which he is charged. Each count also carries a maximum $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen; and inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates, with the ongoing investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph N. Minish and Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Senior Litigation Counsel Andrew Leven, 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.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman reorganized the health care fraud practice at the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office shortly after taking office, including creating a stand-alone Health Care and Government Fraud Unit to handle both criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of health care fraud offenses. Since 2010, the office has recovered more than $635 million 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.
Thursday will be much like Wednesday weather-wise in New Jersey. So will Friday, Saturday and Sunday for that matter. It means several days of sunny skies, seasonable temperatures and next to no threat of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Highs will reach the mid 80s this afternoon as well as on Friday. Saturday and…
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus confirmed today with the Internal Revenue Service that the controversial Super PAC, America’s Future First (AFF), has still not filed any 2015 quarterly reports per federal law. In what residents are colloquially calling “Parsippany PAC-Gate” or just “PAC-gate”, this paper previously reported that virtually all donors to the Super PAC had contracts or ties to the Township of Parsippany Troy-Hills.
One of the smaller donors to the Super PACwas the law firm of Archer & Greiner of Haddonfield, NJ; a firm the Star Ledger reported as being one of the largest legal clients of New Jersey under Governor Christie. When Parsippany Focus originally noted that Archer & Greiner was an AFF donor, there was no apparent connection between the law firm and the Township.
It has since been revealed that Archer & Greiner has been retained by computer forensic expert Matthew Ferrante and his firm Aurora Information and Security Risk, a company which has billed the Township nearly $1,000,000 for imaging the computer hard drive of former Parsippany Police Captain James Carifi. Aurora has since negotiated their bill down to approximately $220,000.
Ferrante and his computer firm have been named as one of the defendants in a lawsuit Captain Carifi filed against the Township, Mayor James Barberio, and Township Attorney John Inglesino.
The Super PAC that Ferrante’s attorney donated money to is the same organization which supported Councilman Michael dePierro and his running mates this past spring. The Super PAC spent nearly $200,000 in trying to oust Carifi’s brother, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr. in the June primary. Paul Carifi, Jr. ultimately won the most votes in the hotly contested GOP primary.
A long stretch of sunny, dry weather in New Jersey lies ahead. Following a Tuesday with periods of heavy rain, Wednesday looks ideal. It’s in the 60s as of 7 a.m. and will warm into the mid 80s this afternoon under sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service. Along the shore temperatures will be a…
Keep that umbrella handy, there’s more rain on the way Tuesday if it’s not already pouring in your area. Strong rain and winds are expected to continue throughout the night, possibly making the evening commute a difficult one, according to forecasters. As of 3 p.m., a line of scattered thunderstorms with torrential rainfall is bearing down…
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Washington Township Police Chief Michael Bailey announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation into the Saturday, April 18 motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a sixty eight year old male on West Mill Road in Washington Township.
On April 18, 2015 at 5:28 p.m., Washington Township Police received a 911 call of a motor vehicle crash in the area of 338 West Mill Road. A 1961 Chevrolet Corvette was struck by a 2013 Lexus SUV. The sole occupant of the Corvette, a 68 years old male, was injured and died as a result of his injuries.
The investigation revealed that the 1961 Corvette was travelling West on West Mill Road. Also during this time a 2013 Lexus RX was traveling East on West Mill Road. The Lexus crossed over the center double line for unknown reasons striking the Corvette head-on, causing the fatal injuries to the sole occupant of the Corvette.
After a thorough investigation by law enforcement, and in coordination with the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police Forensics Laboratory, no evidence of criminal conduct was found on the part of the driver of the Lexus. Analysis of the driver’s blood did not reveal the presence of any substance that would have impaired one’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. As such, no criminal charges are forthcoming arising out of this incident.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank Police Chief Michael Bailey and the Washington Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section, the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their collective assistance in this matter.