The folks in the room
-
- August
- 31
Ernie Garcia, who’s been reporting on this week’s announcement of a federal probe into allegations of Yonkers police brutality, sends this note:
Most of the people who have complained about unprofessional conduct by the police live on the west side of Yonkers, mostly in the first and second districts. Yet on Wednesday when Mayor Phil Amicone announced that the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division will investigate the Yonkers police for systemic civil rights violations, only one west side council member showed up.
Councilwoman Patricia McDow, D-First District, stood near the mayor and police commissioner as they responded to reporters’ questions. Councilman John Murtagh, R-5th District, and Councilwoman Dee Barbato, R-6th District, also attended.
Councilwoman Sandy Annabi, D-2 District, did not appear, even though her district represents an area from which many complaints have emerged. Councilman Dennis Robertson, D-3rd District, was also absent, despite the probe’s relevance to his west side district.
Yesterday, McDow followed up by issuing a press release calling for applicants for the police department’s Citizen Review Board. That board’s standing among city officials, however, was illustrated at Wednesday’s press conference when neither the mayor nor the police commissioner mentioned it.
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on Friday, August 31st, 2007 at 6:43 pm by Liz Anderson.
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Word from Yonkers is that Sandy Annabi has been MIA for awhile. She also was nowhere to be seen (or heard) after last week’s fire and murder of senior citizen Louise Paciarella in her district. And there was no statement about that or the Federal Civil Rights probe from Annabi’s office, either. Even if she was away, statements were called for.
But because Annabi is not known to shy from publicity, it’s fair to wonder if her vanishing act has something to do with the US Attorney’s ongoing probe of the City Council. Speaking of which, Annabi’s mentor Zehy Jereis has been under the radar, too.
As for Dennis Robertson, qho Lperhaps he was partying with Sam
Zherka at Zherka’s strip joint in Manhattan. Those two apparently have become quite cozy. The problem is, the Guardian’s endorsement of Robertson is somewhat similar to him being endorsed by Michael Vick.
Sandy Annabi’s absence in strange-whatever the reason she should have made a statement-and as for Dennis Robertson not only does he represent the 3rd council district he is also running for Mayor-wow speaks volumes of his concern for the citizen of Yonkers and its police officer. To every cop out there-Dennis just spoke loud and clear on what his opinion is of you.
Shortcake,
Robertson spoke loud and clear not only then, but also by aligining with Zherka and the Guardian.
Both he and Restiano issued press releases condemning the City of Yonkers for removing the Guardian boxes. Restiano’s
press release even occupies page 2 of the current Guardian.
The Guardian also has endorsed Robertson, which is actually the kiss of death for Robertson.
For Robertson, a City Council member who wants to be mayor, to align with a rogue “publisher” who is suing the taxpayers of Yonkers for $40 million is atrocious. The same holds for Restiano, a former city official who also thinks she can be mayor.
So whose side are they on? Answer…They have lined up squarely against the Yonkers taxpayers by siding with Zherka, who hides under the title of “newspaper publisher,” but is really a strip club operator with many sleazy associates.
The second suit filed this week by “Guardian readers” contains a list of plaintiffs that does include Zherka family members, friends, employees, and so on. It is a frivolous suit and should be thrown out of court. The original suit is going nowhere, either. It is a blatant attempt to get a lot of money from Yonkers residents-taxpayers. There is a another word for that attempt.
What Yonkers taxpayer would want to support a paper that is trying to “extract” millions of dollars from them?
The same goes for mayoral candidates Robertson and Restiano who have lined up to back that “publisher”—the strip club owner Zherka.
The merits of the posters’s argument are not enhanced by personal attacks.
If certain folks in the media did their homework (or if they even knew how to do it in the first place), they would learn that a very close relative of Guardian “publisher” Sam Zherka is currently under a serious Federal criminal indictment.
This very close relative of Zherka is charged with being part of the Albanian mob, and is accused of narcotics dealing and robbery conspiracy.
If convicted, he is looking at as much as 25 years in the Federal slammer.
If people then start to connect dots, they may even end up with one tie or another to Sue’s Rendezvous, the strip joint in Mt. Vernon where the sleazy Yonkers Republican leader Zehy Jereis occasionally hung out.
Jereis, as many know, is one “person of interest” in the ongoing U.S. Attorney’s investigation of the Yonkers City Council—- along with his “pupil,” the MIA Yonkers City Council member Sandy Annabi—- and possibly at least one other Council member.
The Sue’s Rendezvous topless club was co-owned by Angelo DiPietro, who was involved with the Albanian mob and is now doing about 40 years in prison after his conviction about two years ago.
Guardian “publisher” Sam Zherka also owns one or more strip bars, including at least one in Manhattan.
Is this good company for Dennis Robertson and Vincenza Restiano to be keeping?
And is this a publication that should be treated by local media, Robertson, and Restiano as if it is a legitimate press outlet? But that is what has been happening.
the guardian is masquerading as a newspaper..It is actually
one big campaign ad….look at the back page of the guardian
for the last few weeks…political advertising for nader
and against amicone and ernie davis….a newspaper can
editorialize all it wants in its editorial pages
It cannot however use its space as a vehicle in which to run
free political attack ads…take a look at nader;’s filing
and see if he paid for the ad that ran in the guardian…
someone in yonkers should file a complaint with the state
election board regarding the misuse of the paper as a political committee acting outside the provisions of the
election law…and making illegal independent politcal
expenditures…
shortcake and ethan – wow you guys must be blind! everyone knows that what amicone did with those boxes was wrong! he should take a look around him and whoever was responsible for that should be fired. as far as robertson not being at the press conference? why would he go there and stand with the man he is looking to defeat. he is handling where he ca right now, on the city council. both of you please take off the amicone glasses for a minute and see the world!
Lou,
There are no “Amicone glasses.” Instead, there are telescopes pointed at Zherka, Robertson and Restiano. Somehow, you managed to miss the the points of all the previous postings.
Also, I also did not think the boxes should have been removed without first advising the Guardian itself to take them away if safety or other violations were involved.
But the issue now goes far beyond that—- as the previous commments from myself, Shortcake and the Consultant describe.
Among other things…why would Robertson and Restiano (one a city Council member and the other a former Council president) back a faux “publisher” (and strip club owner) who is twice suing the taxpayers of the city of Yonkers for many millions in what is a clear attempt to “extract” money from Yonkers taxpayers? Whose side are they on?
I guess you’re OK with that. But the great majority of people aren’t OK with that.
Hey Lou-I didnt talk about the boxes-whether or not Robertson is running for Mayor has not bearing on the fact that the press conference wasnt about the Mayors race-its was about the Yonkers Police Department-he should have been there as a show of support for the Police-which by the way his son is part of-speaks volumes about his character-he should have put the race aside and stood with the Mayor Police Commissioner and others-guess he ego got in the way-Amicone glasses-maybe your wearing Roberston glasses-either way if I was a Yonkers Police officer I wouldnt be happy with Robertson
Speaking of Robertson’s character, some relevant aspects of that character, including only a GED education, were admitted to by Robertson himself in Phil Reisman’s JN column of July 31. The column can be found by putting “Dennis Robertson” + alcoholic past into Google.
take off the glasses and see the world! you guys are blind. i hate the guardian as much as you guys do. but.. who made the call to get rid of the boxes??? this question should be answered. the mayor once again is losing support because of the people he has working for him!
The Guardian is on point with many of its comments!!!! Bye bye Cavalo and amigone!!!!
REMEMBER…...A.B.A. ANYONE BUT AMICLOWNE!!!!
THIS FRIDAY RESTIANO WILL HAVE A EVENT AT THE POLISH CENTER ALL ARE INVITED TO SPEAK WITH HER ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN CITY HAUL!!!!7PM SEE YOU THERE THIS IS A FREE EVENT!!!!
Did Robertson receive the email from the Mayor’s office? Was he even in town? You would expect that the Mayor’s office would have called the City Council people directly to arrange the press conference – they received the letter on August 22 and announced receipt of the letter August 30.
This is another blunder by Amicone’s administration. I personally would have liked the administration to have said “there is no systematic problems in the Yonkers Police Department, however, as in any organization there are instances where employees require additional training or other disciplinary action – up to and including dismissal. We welcome the investigation by the US Justice Department and we will cooperate fully.”
There are recent cases – the kid who ran from the cops in the stolen car who had his head cracked in by the YPD – comes to mind. Especially when you learn (you didn’t see it in the JN or Cable) that the charges were dropped. An admission that we have prooblems just like everywhere else would be more plausible than denial.
Something like – national Justice Department studies indicate approximately 2% of the officers Nationally have been involved in police misconduct. In Yonkers, that means approximately 12-15 officers may be involved police misconducct.
A statement like that says your head is not in the sand. If the US Justice Department – under Republican President Bush – a Justice Department that is widely considered anti-civil rights is investagating, that should sound an alarm.
A.B.A,
The Guardian is as honest as Nader Sayegh is, and we know what both the state Supreme Court and the Appellate Court said about THAT. They said “Fraud” and “Incredible testimony”. You may translate that part as “perjury.”
The Guardian, Restiano and Robertson belong together—preferably in….naw, I won’t say it.
But I will say it’s not a real newspaper, and that it is only a front for a political group and who knows what else, and that its publisher is a strip joint owner.
And that same publisher, Zherka, has a very close relative who right now is under Federal indictment, and facing as much as 25 years. The case involves Albanian mobsters.
Speculator-did you watch the same press conference and read the same papers I did-the Mayor said there is no systemic problem with the Yonkers Police and that they would cooperate fully-also said the letter was dated Aug 22nd but they hadnt received it till the 27th-Lou said it all when he said why would Robertson stand next to someone he is running against-answer-to show support for the Yonkers Police Department a bigger man would have beene there-enough said
AMICLOWN MUST GO DOWN!!!!AMICLOWN MUST GO DOWN!!!!! OR THE CITY IS IN REAL TROUBLE!!!!!!!!!!
I did see the press conference, watched the entire uncut version on Channel 612, what the officials failed to do is admit there is any problem …
“Something like – national Justice Department studies indicate approximately 2% of the officers Nationally have been involved in police misconduct. In Yonkers, that means approximately 12-15 officers may be involved police misconducct. ”
Sorry about the mis-spelling. The point I am making is that the administration and police would have diffused the feeding frenzy by saying that there is a potential a very small group of individuals may be involved in misconduct and the over the past 5 years x officers have been suspended or terminated due to actions considered inappropriate. Saying this problem doesn’t exist simply doesn’t wash.
In addition, for the people commenting about missing council people – I was suggesting that better coordination should have occurred – this announcement should have been devoid of politics – it should have been all the Yonkers City elected officials saying these are serious allegations that they are concerned with and have been actively addressing.
Speculator,
What “serious allegations?” There were, according to all media reports, very few complaints substantiated last year. That means there is no systemic problem.
I also think I read that about 75 percent of these complaints come from people with criminal records, to begin with. They surely can’t be granted instant credibility just because they complain.
Also, many of those who resist arrest or try to flee when stopped by the police are on probation or parole, or they may be repeat offenders or have bench warrants on them. Which means they are facing bigger trouble than what may seem to be a relatively minor instant offense. And that’s why they resist and then cry “foul.”
Your points may be well-intended, or maybe not—- but whatever the case they are at best naive.
Ethan,
Everyone – even alleged criminals – has rights. There should be a level of professionalism that is displayed by the police.
I personally believe that the majority of complaints which are not only on the rise but a vast majority go unreported – would be about professionalism (read courtesy and communication) and not about someone having a nightstick implanted in their head (read brutality).
The allegations, whether any of us believe them or not, surrounds a systematic approach used in addressing quality of life crimes. I suppose all of us would say a person convicted of a crime is likely to commit a crime again. What if some officers took that to a new level, like creating opportunities for an arrest to take place.
Let’s say you are a known person to the police and you live on Lawrence Street, the Police on patrol notice you standing in front of your residence. No big deal for most of us, but, you live in a area known for drug activity (of course, it also happens to be the only place you can afford, but I digress). The police ask what are you doing standing at the building or better still (and more likely) tell you to get the F*** from in front of the building. You tell the police that you live there – they tell you to move. The police now stop ask you for ID and then search you – why? You were standing in front of YOUR residence. Things being as disrespectful on both sides (community and police) as they are you ask the police what they are doing – bam! – obstruction of goverment process. Now you are getting arrested, you are agitated – you weren’t doing anything. You ask a question – bam! – resisting arrest. Oh by the way, why did this start in the first place – bam! – disorderly conduct. Wonder how many of those charges there are.
In my example, which is more common place than you think. Why, money of course. How much more does an officer when an arrest occurs – please don’t insult any one’s intellegence by suggesting zero. Also, see what administrative changes have been done over the past say 2 years on overtime on an arrest.
The average person (like you) sees these convicts as bas people who disrespect authority – which may be true in some cases – but not all.
The police suggest that this is a bad guy because their past record, I believe the Justice Department is going to analyze these arrests to see if there is a “systemic” problem. Yonkers has a reputation – when people show up in the County jail they know the person came from Yonkers – why is that?
The systematic problem may be a lack of continuous training in communication – times do change.
I maintain my point, standing up to say “we have had a few isolated incidents that have been addressed and we will continue to address. We fully support the men and women of the YPD who do an excellent job in a difficult job. However, we will not tolerate any member of our police who engages in misconduct.”
The Yonkers Police Department has fired several people for misconduct – they just don’t publicize it. Officers have been disciplined for misconduct. The City of Yonkers has paid money for lawsuits surrounding police misconduct. The Yonkers Police Department recently completed diversity training for every Yonkers Police officer. The Internal Affairs Department has been re-organized. The complaint process was made more user-friendly.
I not the one being naive … check the record.
PS – the knucklehead who didn’t take the ticket for HIS dog pooping on the street was arrested for ?????? .... yes disorderly conduct, obstruction of gov’t and resisting arrest. He was not charged with those crimes, he was charged with the drug possession. He probably could have been charged with inciting a riot as well. Do I think the police were wrong – NOPE! This guy was a knucklehead. He should be convicted and sentenced to community service of cleaning dog poop of the street.
THE GUARDIAN IS A JOKE AND NOT WORTH EVEN TALKING ABOUT!
Speculator,
Your thorough comments seem to show your remarks are sincere. And woven in and out of them are a couple of reasonable points. But I also think you live in a textbook or “ideal” world when it comes to this subject. You also use hypotheticals. That’s not an insult. But I don’t think you can project a handful of experiences you may have heard about and extend them to the extent you have.
vinny restiano is the guest of hezi on his morning
show…clearly she is not qualified to lead the city
It sounds like she is running for council president
she has not proposed one solution to any of the
problems she mentioned…except to say that she knows
how to work with the council..but during her time
as council president it had soe of the most
viciously contested meetings in yonkers history
someone needs to ask her about the 20,000
dollar cable buy…who paid for it
You don’t have to think Amicone walks on water (he doesn’t) to know that Restiano is the hack of hacks. She is not worthy of being a meter maid, let alone a mayor.
She also is a Spencer puppet, as is Robertson, who doesn’t even have a high school diploma. The idea that anyone could even consider one of them as qualified to run a city like Yonkers is almost comical.
The bank check to Cablevision on Restiano’s behalf was about 30K, and it does not appear on any of her financials, including the newest one.
The money Restiano does list as going to Cablevision would not come close to paying for all the commercials she has been airing since late June.
I suggest that Zherka of the Guardian (or one of his numerous corporations) or the failed Spencer Senate campaign could be the source of that money. There must be something irregular about it because Restiano has been trying to hide it —to not account for it.
This should be fully investigated. There may be both civil and criminal violations to be found.
ethan why don;t you file a complaint with the state
election board regarding her tv buy..you need to be
a resident of yonkers and a yonkers voter to have
standing…you might also file a complaint against
the guardian for using its pages for advertising
on behalf of both nader and vinny….
Consultant….I believe the steps you mention should
be taken by the Amicone campaign.
My main interest in this is that I pay close attention to situations which have the odor of possible corruption around them. That odor appears to surround the Restiano money, and it also is wafting around the Guardian and its activities.
I mentioned above about the very close relative of Zherka currently facing heavy Federal charges. It’s a case tied to the Albanian mob. That is a fact.
ethan…a complaint needs to be filed otherwise the
board will not start an investigation!
Consultant,
I am sure you can light a fire under the Amicone camp, unless they are already moving on this.
Speculator—-
I know you do not support that “Dog Man” busted by Yonkers cops a few days ago. But FYI, it turns out this fine fella has ten prior arrests, including six for resisting arrest. Do we detect a pattern here?
His wife also has two arrests, one by the State cops. One of his is also by the State cops.
It also seems to me, based on what’s out there today, that the Yonkers NAACP leader Karen Edmonson has lost it. She’s now accusing someone of telling lawyers not to take this guy’s case. That is NUTS.
some people who have long arrest records, are simply
anti authority not just the police…they have what is called oppositional defiant personality traits….mr. brown
was told to obey the law and pick up after his dog..
that was a lawful order..he refused….and in so
doing was defying the police…all he had to do
was what the law required…and considering his
long arrest record the police took every precaution
to neutralize this oppositional defiant law breaker.
Karen Edmonson is way out of line by suggesting that
someone coerced a 16B lawyer into not representing
mr brown..Her statements are shameful and everyone
who practices laws knows that representing mr brown
on the legal charges of disorderly conduct would not
be something the police or any public official would
attempt to stop…this whole situation is escalating
and it has the stench of politics…from Edmonson’s
inflamatory statements..to the fact that elections
are around the corner….the NAACP which is a worthy
organization needs to tell Ms Edmonson that she
is not helping
The NAACP hasn’t been legit for years. Betcha the regional or national NAACP turned up the heat on Edmonson and she morphed into a babbling idiot.
They WANT trouble in Yonkers, and I’d say they told Edmonson to stir it up or she’s out. And now, she is making a fool of herself.
Sorry for the delay Ethan, gotta do some real work sometimes.
You are correct – I am not supporting dog man – it was clear that he does not respect authority.
What I am saying is that since he was arrested 10 times is that is possible (in fact likely) he was known to the police in the area and his buttons were pushed. Seems like an easy arrest – disorderly conduct, obstruction and resisting arrest for a person that has been arrested many times for the same thing. Again, not condoning the dog man but asking the type of question that might lead to a pattern. No one could defend Brown or his wife they both have records so their credibility is shot.
Edmonson has always been hot headed and clearly is out of line about the 18B lawyer. She should have said what she knew to be the case that Larry Sykes (yes the clown running for Council) was the attorney that failed to show up in court for dog man today. I think that the Justice department is going to find things that Yonkers can improve but will not find police brutality. However, they will find some type of profiling.
Yaaaawn….
I’ll say it again —- I’m convinced the NAACP is deliberately trying to stir up trouble. And I believe the national or regional bunch told Edmonson to get militant. She has, and she looks like a dope.
Today’s JN called that “Malcom X Grassroots Movement” an “advocacy group.” Talk about sugar-coating.
On Channel 12 tonight Amicone debates Restiano, at I think 7:30. One of the questioners should bring up that 30K of “mystery money” Restiano has not accounted for.
you guys sound like you work for the yonkers mayor. Lets face the facts. The city under the Mayors orders violated the first amendment of the Guardian, and their employees and the rights of every citizen in Yonkers. And as far as Zherka, is concerned, God bless him. We finally have some one in this county who has the balls to tell the truth. And last but not least, does any one know which strip club he owns, i want to patronize the place and show him my appreciation for all the great work he has done and is doing.
Hey, I know Sam Zherka for probably 20 or so years. That man is probably one of the hardest working people i have ever met. Its shows, the man is living the American dream.
I know he owns thousands of apartments and shopping centers and stores, but i didnt think he had any more clubs. I know he used to own, about 6-7 clubs, but i thought he got out of that. Any way, it sounds like a lot of haters, jealousy doesnt get u any where guys. People have been making allegations against him for years. People that dont know him that is. If you knew him, the way i do and others, you will admire this mans drive. God bless you Z. I love the Guardian, keep it up buddy. Which club does he own?