Driver ends up in Jail for drunk driving and a list of other violations

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department’s Communication Center received a 911 call at 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21 reporting a vehicle driving erratically that just pulled into the parking lot of Veterans Park.

Officers responded to the scene and located the vehicle in question, a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. Patrolman Ross instructed the driver to exit the vehicle and asked for his identification.

The male failed to produce identification and gave Patrolman Ross a false name.

After a brief investigation the male was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated and transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters.

While at Police Headquarters the driver’s real name was discovered, at which time he was identified as Brian Hogarth, 38, Hammonton.

Mr. Hogarth was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Driving While Intoxicated, Refusal to Submit to Breath Samples, Revocation for Refusal, Reckless Driving, and Driving While Suspended. While he was in custody it was also determined that a purse and the vehicle that was in his possession were stolen from Dover during the evening of Monday, June 20.

Mr. Hogarth was then charged with Receiving Stolen Property with a bail set at $10,000 with no 10% by Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Court Judge Scala. He was then transported to the Morris County Jail in default of his bail.

Correction Officer Sentenced to Five Years for Distribution of Drugs

PARSIPPANY — Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III announced the sentencing of Nickoy Ellis, 32, of Lake Hiawatha.

On Tuesday, July 12, Mr. Ellis, a former Correction Officer employed by the New Jersey Department of Corrections, was sentenced to five years in state prison by the Honorable Angela F. Borkowski, JSC.

Mr. Ellis had previously pled guilty to Official Misconduct, a second degree crime, on May 27. In addition to his prison sentence, Mr. Ellis is forbidden from holding public office in the state of New Jersey.

On January 27, 2016, Nickoy Ellis, 31, of Lake Hiawatha was arrested and charged with Official Misconduct and Bribery, second degree crimes; he was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Money Laundering, both third degree crimes.

Mr. Nickoy Ellis was employed as a Senior Corrections Officer for the New Jersey Department of Corrections at the time of the arrest.

A joint investigation by the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Bureau of Professional Standards revealed that Mr. Ellis smuggled and distributed contraband, including synthetic marijuana, to inmates at the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Clinton Township.

DWI checkpoints in Parsippany this weekend

PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief of Investigations John Speirs announce the implementation of a Driving While Intoxicated checkpoint in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17.

The checkpoint is a result of a grant the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has received from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to conduct DWI checkpoints at various locations throughout Morris County.  The County DWI Enforcement Grant is designed to establish checkpoints in cooperation with municipal departments in the county.

In New Jersey, a person with a (Blood Alcohol Count) BAC of 0.08% or greater who operates a motor vehicle or a boat is considered to be driving while intoxicated (DWI). Being convicted of a DWI is a serious offense, carrying heavy penalties including: Fines, fees and surcharges. License suspension.

In a recent report, MADD ranked New Jersey among the worst states in the nation for protecting drunken driving victims, giving the state two out of five stars.

Under New Jersey law, DWI is considered a motor vehicle offense and tried in municipal court. First-time offenders face license suspensions ranging from three months to a year, imprisonment of up to 30 days and thousands of dollars in fees and surcharges.

Those penalties increase for repeat offenders, and drivers found guilty of their third DWI offense face up to 180 days in jail — the maximum allowed for DWI under state law — though part of that term can be served at a rehab facility.

When a drunken driver injures or kills another driver in a crash, there are other criminal charges that come into play, including assault by auto, aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. But those charges are handled in a different venue.

Recently, a Parsippany woman, Vanessa Brown, related to a 2012 crash that killed popular East Hanover community activist Ralph Politi, Jr. Brown, a repeat offender, was found guilty of DWI days later in a separate proceeding.

While New Jersey offenders can avoid lengthy prison sentences for drunken driving, the fines, fees and surcharges have grown over the years.

There’s an automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for three years; a $100.00 surcharge for the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund; a Motor Vehicle Commission restoration fee of $100.00; an Intoxicated Driving Program fee of $100.00; a $50.00 Violent Crimes Compensation Fund fee; and a $75.00 Safe and Secure Community Program fee, among other expenses.

PSE&G to inspect gas meters in Parsippany

PARSIPPANY — Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) will be inspecting natural gas meters in Parsippany this month, along with other towns in Morris County.

“Customer safety is our number one priority,” said Joe Forline, vice president of gas operations for PSE&G. “It’s important for us to conduct safety inspections like these so that we can check for surface corrosion, leaks and other conditions that might require attention or repair.”

“In the majority of the towns, we will be starting inspections in mid-July, around the week of July 18,” Puliti said. It typically takes four to six weeks to complete these inspections in a town, conditions permitting.”

If a customer has an inside meter, someone over the age of 18 will need to give technicians access to the meter for a visual inspection, according to a press release from PSE&G, which said that meters that are located outside will also be inspected.

Although technicians will be on your property, customers do not need to be home for outside meter inspections.

PSE&G also said the following about the inspection process:

The inspection is free and will take about ten minutes.

Customers do not need to make an appointment at this time.

Unless a meter requires immediate repair, there will be no interruption to service.

Service will not be turned off during this inspection due to billing status.

PSE&G said that customers should always ask for identification when a utility worker comes to the door. Employees carry a PSE&G photo identification badge, wear PSE&G logo apparel and drive PSE&G cars or trucks, the release said.

If a customer is concerned in any way, they should call PSE&G’s customer service line at 800-436-PSEG (7734) to verify the identity of an employee.

Parsippany Lab at Center of Largest Bribery Case Pleads Guilty

PARSIPPANY — Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), the Parsippany, clinical lab at the center of a long-running and elaborate test referral scheme operated by its president and numerous associates, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today in federal court, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. The company was located at 181 New Road.

BLS pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court to an information charging it with one count of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Federal Travel Act and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Following the plea, BLS was sentenced by Judge Chesler. The company, which is no longer operational, must forfeit all of its assets.

The investigation has resulted in 40 guilty pleas – 26 of them from 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 $12 million through forfeiture.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Cynthia Shoffner; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; and IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, with the ongoing investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph N. Minish, Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, and Jacob T. Elberg, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark, as well as Barbara Ward, Acting Chief of the office’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit.

U.S. Attorney 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 $1.29 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.

Ithaca College Students Named to Spring Semester Dean’s List

PARSIPPANY — Ithaca-College congratulates Lauren Astor and Annemarie Lillis both former graduates of Parsippany Hills High School who were named to Dean’s List for the spring 2016 semester.

Both girls graduated Parsippany Hills High School in 2015.

From day one, Ithaca College prepares students for success through hands-on experience with internships, research and study abroad. Its integrative curriculum builds bridges across disciplines and uniquely blends liberal arts and professional study.

Located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, the College is home to 6,100 undergraduate and 460 graduate students.

Two car accident on Littleton Road sends one driver to Morristown Medical Center

PARSIPPANY — On Monday, June 27 at 3:20 p.m. Mr. Hassan Hallak, 30, Paterson was stopped in traffic with his blinker on, attempting to make a left hand turn from Littleton Road Southbound onto Fieldcrest Road and struck from the rear by a vehicle driven by Ms. Folashade Adebivi, 27, Newark.

Mr. Hassan Hallak was injured and unable to provide a statement, and was transported to Morristown Medical Center by Parsippany Emergency Medical Services.

Ms. Folashade Adebivi stated that she did not see Mr. Hallak’s vehicle had stopped.

A witness from Passaic County Sheriff’s K9 Patrol Unit was traveling North Bound on Littleton Road and recorded the collision. The witness said “I was able to view the collision, which showed Mr. Hassan Hallak’s vehicle stopped in the lane with his left hand turn signal engaged, and Ms. Adebivi’s vehicle strike his from the rear.

Police investigation found damage consistent with driver statements, witness statements, and roadway evidence, and that the collision occurred due to Ms. Adebivi’s inattention and following too closely.

The investigation was conducted by Patrolman James Seeger.  Ms. Adebivi was charged with careless driving.

Mr. Hallak was driving a 2006 Toyota Sienna, which was towed from the scene by Powdermill Towing and Ms. Adebivi was driving a 2001 Nissan Altima, which was also towed from the scene by Powdermill Towing.

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Ms. Adebivi was driving a 2001 Nissan Altima, which was towed from the scene by Powdermill Towing

PHHS graduate Teddy Comora to perform at Kafe Mozart

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School graduate Teddy Comora will be performing at Kafe Mozart on Thursday, July 14.

Teddy Comora will be performing in the dining room starting at 6:30 p.m. and reservations are suggested.

Teddy has spent his life as a Parsippany resident, graduating from Parsippany Hills High School in 2014. He comes from a musical family. His Grandmother, Betty Comora, of Sarasota, Florida is an accomplished Jazz vocalist, pianist and washboard player.

Teddy began taking formal piano lessons as the age of seven, studying classical music, until he entered middle school and discovered Jazz.

He began taking lessons in Jazz piano, studying under local piano great, Regan Ryzuk, and saxophone lessons with Parsippany’s own Sax Legend, Frank Elmo.

Grover Kemble
Grover Kemble

In middle school he met Grover Kemble, who would become a Jazz mentor and would feature Teddy in the 2012 Mount Tabor Christmas Show on piano with Regan Ryzuk and in a Saxophone duet with his idol, Mark Rivera, of the Billy Joel Band.

In 2013, Grover produced Teddy’s first album, “Ready Teddy” which featured Teddy’s Jazz piano skills, accompanied by several local jazz musicians. Over the years, Teddy has had the opportunity to sit in with a number of Jazz musicians, including Sax legend, Jerry Vivino, of the Conan Obrien’s Basic Cable Band. He’s also been featured on piano, accompanying renowned Jazz artist, Joshua Redman.

He is currently studying at Cornell University, where he majors in Economics and minors in Music. At Cornell he is a member of the Jazz Band as well as the keyboard player in an R&B band and a Blues band.

Kafe Mozart is located at 2900 Route 10, in the Powder Mill West Shopping Center. Reservations are suggested for this event and can be made by calling (973) 998-7788.

Kafe Mozart has a large selection of delicious menu items such as homemade soups, fresh salads, panini’s, sandwiches, burgers, savory crepes, sweet crepes, dinner entrees and well as a full service espresso bar. For more information, click here.

In addition, Anthony Duke Claus will be performing on Thursday, July 21 and well known Jazz musician, Grover Kemble, will be performing on Thursday, July 28.

 

Breaking news: Commercial Fire on Walsh Drive

PARSIPPANY — At approximately 3:15 p.m. an active fire in the boiler room at 345 Walsh Drive was reported.

Sources at the scene indicate the boiler fire has been put out, but remains in the duct work of the building.

We were told Parsippany Fire Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are at the scene along with EMS 1, 2, 4, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad as well as Parsippany Rescue and Recovery is at the scene.

Boonton Township RIC, Denville and Mountain Lakes were also called to the scene.

Parsippany Focus attempted to go to the area for pictures, but was unable to get close enough, since the entire area is blocked off.

According to a Google search the building is occupied by Earth Thebault. The building is an 84,100 square foot industrial building.

As details become available Parsippany Focus will update this article.
345-walsh-drive

Gannett buys Parsippany Life, other New Jersey publications

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. — The publisher of USA Today has acquired northern New Jersey newspaper The Record and other assets of the North Jersey Media Group. Gannett Co. Inc., which already owns a host of papers in the state, said the merger creates New Jersey’s largest media company, with journalists and advertising representatives stretching across the…