Rotterdam Mom Accused In Disabled Daughter's Death Dies Before Trial Begins Rotterdam Mom Accused In Disabled Daughter's Death Dies Before Trial Begins
Rotterdam Mom Accused In Disabled Daughter's Death Dies Before Trial Begins A New York woman accused of causing her disabled daughter’s death has died just days before she was set to face trial. Amber Geier, 46, of Rotterdam, died from acute septic shock stemming from a bowel perforation, the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Thursday, Aug. 14. Geier was charged last year in connection with the death of her 24-year-old daughter, Skylar Pettit, who had Down syndrome and diabetes and relied on her for care, as Daily Voice reported. Prosecutors alleged that in February 2022, Geier, a nurse practitioner, stopped giving her daughter the insulin s…
Impostor Scams Skyrocket Among Older Adults, FTC Warns: What To Do Impostor Scams Skyrocket Among Older Adults, FTC Warns: What To Do
Impostor Scams Skyrocket Among Older Adults, FTC Warns: What To Do Scams targeting older Americans are surging, causing victims to lose millions of dollars to scammers posing as government officials or trusted companies. The number of victims age 60 and older who lost more than $100,000 has increased by more than 700%, the Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday, Aug. 7. Those high-value thefts jumped from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. Older adults who lost at least $10,000 also dramatically rose by more than 300%. "While younger consumers also have reported these scams, older adults were much more likely to report these ex…
Trump’s Standing Tanks With This Voter Group Amid Growing Backlash Trump’s Standing Tanks With This Voter Group Amid Growing Backlash
Trump’s Standing Tanks With This Voter Group Amid Growing Backlash Donald Trump is losing ground with a key voting group, according to a new national tracking poll.  The survey shows sharp declines in his favorability, job approval, and economic ratings among Hispanic and Latino voters. While overall ratings were already low, the second-quarter survey conducted by Global Strategy Group for Somos Votantes shows a deeper erosion in key subgroups: independents, women, and voters under 45. Pollsters attribute the shift to continued economic pessimism, a growing belief that Trump is out of step with everyday priorities, and intensifying opposition to his …
Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Approve Of Trump's Handling Of Economy: New Poll Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Approve Of Trump's Handling Of Economy: New Poll
Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Approve Of Trump's Handling Of Economy: New Poll A new poll finds what Americans think about how President Donald Trump is managing the economy as he nears the 100-day mark of his second non-consecutive term. Just 37 percent of respondents said they support Trump’s approach to economic issues, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday, April 23.  That marks a sharp drop from the 42 percent approval rating measured shortly after his Monday, Jan. 20 inauguration, and the lowest economic approval level Trump has recorded in either term. The survey highlights growing unease over Trump’s aggressive economic strategy, which …
Going Broke Scarier Than Death For Many Americans, New Study Says: Here's Why Going Broke Scarier Than Death For Many Americans, New Study Says: Here's Why
Going Broke Scarier Than Death For Many Americans, New Study Says: Here's Why Nearly two in three Americans worry more about running out of money than dying, according to a new survey. Allianz Life released its 2025 Annual Retirement Study on Tuesday, April 22. The life insurance provider found that 64% of US adults fear going broke more than death. That fear cuts across generations but is most common among Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, with 70% saying they worry about outliving their savings. Millennials followed at 66%, while 61% of baby boomers said they share the same concern. The biggest financial concerns were inflation, taxes, and Social Security. "Wit…
PHOTOS: 1,400 'Hands Off' Protests Across United States PHOTOS: 1,400 'Hands Off' Protests Across United States
Photos: 1,400 'Hands Off' Protests Across United States Thousands of demonstrators flooded street corners, Congressional offices, and federal buildings across the U.S. on Saturday, April 5, in what organizers called a “national mass activation” against a growing threat to democracy and workers' rights. Nearly 1,400 rallies were held coast to coast, part of a movement opposing what protestors describe as a “Trump-Musk billionaire takeover” and “the Republican assault on our freedoms and our communities.” “Trump and Musk are attempting an illegal power grab,” the event flyer reads. “This is a crisis we must stop. Trump, Musk, and congressional Rep…
Drug Test Elon? NJ Rep. Proposes Law Aimed Squarely At Musk's Role In Trump Admin Drug Test Elon? NJ Rep. Proposes Law Aimed Squarely At Musk's Role In Trump Admin
Drug Test Elon? NJ Rep. Proposes Law Aimed Squarely At Musk's Role In Trump Admin The world’s richest man may soon have to pee in a cup to keep his government job. Legislation proposed by Democratic New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherill would require billionaire Elon Musk and other special government employees (SGE) granted access to sensitive federal data to pass a drug test and submit to random testing to keep their roles in the Trump administration. Citing concerns over national security and accountability, Sherrill announced the bill Tuesday, April 1, aiming it squarely at Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team — the Trump-created initiative ta…
'Disgraceful': Elected Officials Slam Decision To Close Social Security Office In White Plains 'Disgraceful': Elected Officials Slam Decision To Close Social Security Office In White Plains
'Disgraceful': Elected Officials Slam Decision To Close Social Security Office In White Plains Local officials from both major parties are denouncing the Trump administration’s decision to reject a bipartisan effort to keep the Social Security Hearing Office in White Plains open, a move they say will harm seniors, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable residents in Westchester County.  Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins blasted the decision in a statement on Thursday, March 20, calling it a "disgraceful" abandonment of those who rely on Social Security services.  "The Trump administration is effectively cutting off access to Social Security resources for …
‘Where’s Elon?’: Rep. Larson Slams House Colleagues For Shielding Musk On Social Security Cuts ‘Where’s Elon?’: Rep. Larson Slams House Colleagues For Shielding Musk On Social Security Cuts
‘Where’s Elon?’: Rep. Larson Slams House Colleagues For Shielding Musk On Social Security Cuts Rep. John Larson blasted his House colleagues in a scathing five-minute speech, accusing them of caving to Elon Musk and failing to hold him accountable for his push to cut programs millions of Americans rely on (scroll down for video). The 13-term Connecticut Democrat on Wednesday, March 12, ripped into his colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee’s refusal to question Musk, despite the tech mogul’s claims of uncovering billions of dollars in fraud within Social Security and other federal aid programs. “Where’s Elon Musk?” Larson demanded. “I’m sure he’s a genius and a very credible pers…
Don't Fall For This Fake Email Scam, Feds Warn Don't Fall For This Fake Email Scam, Feds Warn
Don't Fall For This Fake Email Scam, Feds Warn A new scam is targeting people with a fake email and officials are urging the public to stay vigilant. The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has issued the warning about fraudulent emails impersonating the agency.  These emails, which carry the subject line “Claim Benefits!”, falsely claim that recipients must apply for their 2025 Social Security benefits through a provided link. How Scam Works The scam email appears to come from SSA and directs users to a fake website disguised to look like SSA’s official page. However, clicking on the link l…
NY Rep. Suozzi Defends Vote To Censure Fellow Democrat Over Trump Speech Protest NY Rep. Suozzi Defends Vote To Censure Fellow Democrat Over Trump Speech Protest
NY Rep. Suozzi Defends Vote To Censure Fellow Democrat Over Trump Speech Protest New York Congressman Tom Suozzi is defending his support for censuring a fellow House Democrat who protested President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress. Suozzi–who represents Long Island’s 3rd District–was among ten House Democrats who voted with every Republican member to censure Texas Rep. Al Green on Thursday, March 6, for disrupting Trump’s address to Congress two days earlier. In a post on X following the vote, Suozzi chided Green for distracting from issues like protecting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. “Instead of addressing rising costs, fixing immigration, and Ukraine, …
Philadelphia Man Who Stole Dead Classmate’s Identity To Get Passport, Gun Permit Sentenced Philadelphia Man Who Stole Dead Classmate’s Identity To Get Passport, Gun Permit Sentenced
Philadelphia Man Who Stole Dead Classmate’s Identity To Get Passport, Gun Permit Sentenced A Philadelphia fraudster who spent decades living under a dead classmate’s identity—scamming his way into a driver’s license, insurance, and even a gun permit—has pleaded guilty, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Friday, Feb. 7. Anthony Percell, 56, admitted in Philadelphia County Court to stealing the identity of a former classmate who died in 1986 and using it to apply for a concealed carry firearms permit, obtain a Pennsylvania driver’s license, and file a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim, authorities said. Now, he’s headed to prison. Under a plea deal, Percel…
Trump Calls For End To Income Tax, Offers Buyouts To 2 Million Federal Employees Trump Calls For End To Income Tax, Offers Buyouts To 2 Million Federal Employees
Trump Calls For End To Income Tax, Offers Buyouts To 2 Million Federal Employees President Donald Trump is calling for the elimination of federal income tax, advocating for a shift to a tariff-based revenue system.  He argues that this approach, which he says previously made the US “richer” and a more “powerful” economy, would mark a pivotal turning point for the nation. "America is going to be very rich again, and it's going to happen very quickly," Trump said during a speech in Florida on Monday, Jan. 27 at the 2025 Republican Issues Conference at the Trump National Doral Miami. "Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich foreign nations, we should be tariffing an…
Nearly $15K Stolen From Housing Assistance Program By PA Woman: Chesco DA Nearly $15K Stolen From Housing Assistance Program By PA Woman: Chesco DA
Nearly $15K Stolen From Housing Assistance Program By PA Woman: Chesco DA A Thorndale woman is accused of stealing nearly $15,000 from a Chester County non-profit dedicated to aiding families facing housing insecurity, the District Attorney’s Office announced on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2025. Patricia Ginter, 56, allegedly submitted a fraudulent application to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in September 2023, intentionally omitting over $60,000 in household income to qualify for COVID-related eviction relief, according to the Chester County Detectives’ criminal complaint. Ginter’s deception resulted in her receiving $14,617 in federal funds meant for strug…
Teen Caught With Over $90K In Stolen US Treasury Checks In New Rochelle: Police Teen Caught With Over $90K In Stolen US Treasury Checks In New Rochelle: Police
Teen Caught With Over $90K In Stolen US Treasury Checks In New Rochelle: Police A 17-year-old boy was hit with felony charges after he was caught with dozens of stolen US Treasury checks in Westchester following his attempted escape from traffic stops, police said. The events leading to the teen's arrest began just after 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, when authorities in New Rochelle were alerted of a vehicle entering the city that had previously fled from a traffic stop in New York City, according to New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne.  The same car had also fled a traffic stop in New Rochelle just before 8 p.m. on Monday, according to Coyne. Shortly …
Election 2024: Winner Projected In Hudson Valley's 17th Congressional District Race Election 2024: Winner Projected In Hudson Valley's 17th Congressional District Race
Election 2024: Winner Projected In Hudson Valley's 17th Congressional District Race The votes have been tallied, and a projected winner has come out on top in the race for New York's 17th Congressional District seat.  Incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawler has emerged as the winner for the House seat representing Rockland and Putnam counties, most of Northern Westchester, and portions of southern Dutchess County, defeating Democratic challenger Mondaire Jones, according to the state Board of Elections. Lawler was leading Jones 52.5 to 45.5 percent with 95 percent of the vote counted as of 2:50 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. Thank you NY-17! https://t.co/GOPZdDcT0l — …
Election 2024: Winner Projected In 16th Congressional District Representing Much Of Westchester Election 2024: Winner Projected In 16th Congressional District Representing Much Of Westchester
Election 2024: Winner Projected In 16th Congressional District Representing Much Of Westchester The votes are in, and New York's 16th Congressional District now knows its next representative in Congress.  Democrat George Latimer has been projected as the winner for the House seat representing the southern portion of Westchester, including White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Rye, and a small part of the northern Bronx, defeating Republican Miriam Flisser, according to the state Board of Elections. Latimer was leading Flisser by a margin of 72 to 28 percent, with 54 percent of the vote in as of 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.  The people of Westc…
Trump Returns To Rally PA Ahead Of Debates Trump Returns To Rally PA Ahead Of Debates
Trump Returns To Rally PA Ahead Of Debates Former President Donald Trump has announced yet another event in Pennsylvania on Monday, Aug. 12.  Trump is returning to the Commonwealth on Saturday, Aug. 17.  The event is a campaign rally at Mohegan Sun Arena located at 255 Highland Park Boulevard in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, PA.  Doors will open at 12 p.m. and Trump is to come on stage at 4 p.m. Onotse Omoyeni, Pennsylvania Rapid Response Director for Harris for President, released the following statement in response to Trump’s plans to visit Luzerne County this week: “In 2020, Pennsylvanians kicked …
Journalist Vs. Chemist: Avlon, Goroff Face Off In Closely-Watched NY Congressional Primary Race Journalist Vs. Chemist: Avlon, Goroff Face Off In Closely-Watched NY Congressional Primary Race
Journalist Vs. Chemist: Avlon, Goroff Face Off In Closely-Watched NY Congressional Primary Race Among the New York races that political pundits are keeping an eye on this Primary Day is that of the journalist versus the chemist. On Long Island, Democrats John Avlon and Nancy Goroff are facing off to determine who will take on Republican Rep. Nick LaLota in November for the state’s 1st Congressional District, representing the eastern two-thirds of Suffolk County. The 51-year-old Avlon is a former political analyst at CNN who previously served as a columnist and associate editor for The New York Sun. He was also the chief speech writer for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Ea…
$2M Scheme: Scarsdale Accounting Firm Partners Admit To Tax Fraud Conspiracy $2M Scheme: Scarsdale Accounting Firm Partners Admit To Tax Fraud Conspiracy
$2M Scheme: Scarsdale Accounting Firm Partners Admit To Tax Fraud Conspiracy Two New York accounting firm partners have pleaded guilty to a multi-million dollar tax evasion scheme.  Click here for a new, updated story - Update: Scarsdale-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter Westchester County resident George Sanossian, age 70, of Scarsdale, and New Jersey resident Jack Sardis, age 66, of Englewood Cliffs, both certified public accountants, admitted to conspiracy to defraud the IRS by scheming with clients to reduce tax liabilities through a shell company, leading to over $2 million in unreported cash transactions.  The tw…
Delco Pair Sexually Abused Intellectually Disabled Adults, DA Says Delco Pair Sexually Abused Intellectually Disabled Adults, DA Says
Delco Pair Sexually Abused Intellectually Disabled Adults, DA Says Two people from Chester are accused of sexually abusing two intellectually disabled adult women, said the Delaware County District Attorney's Office in a release.  Michael and Nicole Swanson are charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual assault, aggravated indecent sexual assault of a person with a mental disability, and related counts, according to court records and prosecutors.  Authorities said the victims, aged 27 and 30, were friends from a special education program at Chichester High School. The 27-year-old victim, who was then pregnant with Michael Swanson's child,…
Long Island Woman Scams Nearly $50K From SSA Using Late Grandmother's Pen Name: DA Long Island Woman Scams Nearly $50K From SSA Using Late Grandmother's Pen Name: DA
Long Island Woman Scams Nearly $50K From SSA Using Late Grandmother's Pen Name: DA A woman from Long Island used her dead grandmother’s pen name to collect Social Security benefits for years, authorities claimed. Freeport resident Alexandria Sobrane, age 46, was arraigned on Tuesday, March 18 for her alleged Social Security fraud, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. According to the DA’s Office, Sobrane’s grandmother, Hannah Sobrane, was born in 1920 and wrote children’s books under the pen name Babe Power. Starting in 1985, she retired and began receiving her Social Security benefits under the nom de plume she used for writing. However, in 2008, when the …
PA Man Gets Prison Time For Concealing Dad's Death To Collect Social Security PA Man Gets Prison Time For Concealing Dad's Death To Collect Social Security
PA Man Gets Prison Time For Concealing Dad's Death To Collect Social Security A Monroe County man was sentenced to five years in federal prison this week for covering up his father's death and continuing to cash his checks, according to the US Attorney's Office.  Timothy Gritman, 56, of Brodheadsville, pleaded guilty to Social Security and wire fraud in a federal court exactly one year ago, Feb. 14, 2023, Daily Voice reported. This year on Valentine's Day, Gritman was sentenced to five years plus three more of supervised release, prosecutors said in a release.  Authorities have said Gritman's father Ralph was 79 and "in poor health" when he was l…
Essex County Town's Crossing Guard Fights To Save Her Home Essex County Town's Crossing Guard Fights To Save Her Home
Essex County Town's Crossing Guard Fights To Save Her Home Stacy Sedita is fighting to save her home, and the community is lending a helping hand. Sedita's family has lived in the house, located in the Gregory neighborhood of West Orange, since they built it in the 1950s. The home has been housed four generations of her family.  The family was hit hard by COVID, with Sedita losing her jobs as a crossing guard and staffer at a country club and discovering the utility bill and tax bill had not been paid as her grandmother's identity had been stolen, with someone else taking her Social Security checks.  Overall, Sedita owes $52,000 in back taxes, pay…
PA Man Disguised Himself As Late Dad To Get Social Security, Pension: Feds PA Man Disguised Himself As Late Dad To Get Social Security, Pension: Feds
PA Man Disguised Himself As Late Dad To Get Social Security, Pension: Feds A Pennsylvania man has admitted to fraudulently collecting his late father's retirement checks, and even disguising himself as an older man to sell the lie, federal authorities say. Timothy Gritman, a 55-year-old resident of Brodheadsville in Monroe County, pleaded guilty to Social Security and wire fraud in a federal court on Tuesday, Feb. 14, said US Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero in a statement.  According to prosecutors, Gritman's father Ralph was 79 and "in poor health" when he was last seen alive by other family members in 2016. The next summer, authorities say Gritman moved with …
Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds
Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds A Springfield man who pleaded guilty to his role in a phone scam operation that bilked more than $1.5 million from victims will spend two years in prison and repay what he stole, federal authorities said.  Utkarsh Thakur, 29, admitted to one count of money laundering in April, and a judge sentenced him this week, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Thakur was a member of a group of scammers who would cold-call victims and claim to be law enforcement or people of authority and threaten them with arrest or loss of public assistance if they didn't pay up.…
Trumbull Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams Trumbull Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams
Trumbull Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams Police are warning the public about a new increase in scams that are "difficult to investigate." The scams, which take place all over the country, have also been reported region. "Even though the police may be made aware of these types of cases, they can be difficult to investigate because many times the suspects are in another country or quickly leave the scene where very little suspect information is available," the Trumbull Police Department in Fairfield County, Connecticut, said. Here's a list of the types of scams: The caller claimed to be a family member that has an illness or was …
Here's How Much Cuomo Will Be Collecting In Pension Payments Each Month Here's How Much Cuomo Will Be Collecting In Pension Payments Each Month
Here's How Much Cuomo Will Be Collecting In Pension Payments Each Month Andrew Cuomo is no longer sitting inside the Governor’s Mansion in Albany, but he is still collecting a hefty paycheck from New York State. The embattled former governor, who resigned over the summer following an investigation into nearly a dozen of complaints of sexual harassment, received his first pension check last month to the tune of $4,219.11, according to the New York State comptroller’s office. His first payment was sent in October 2021, officials said. Cuomo's annual benefits add up to $50,629.32, which he will get the amount for the rest of his life, plus future cost of living …