New York Paralegal Blog

In Suffolk County, Aris A. Chaparro, a 55-year-old Brentwood resident, was recently indicted on multiple felony charges, including Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. This came after an investigation launched by an undercover police officer's purchase of cocaine from him. A subsequent search of Chaparro's home led to the discovery of a substantial amount of drugs, cash, and illegal firearms. The Investigation and Arrest The investigation into Chaparro began in July 2025 when an undercover police officer purchased cocaine from him on four separate occasions. The transactions were arranged over the phone and took place at public locations like a gas station and a fast-food restaurant. During one of these buys, Chaparro allegedly sold the officer approximately two and a half ounces of cocaine. Based on this evidence, police obtained a search warrant for Chaparro’s home. On August 6, 2025, a search of his residence uncovered over a quarter...

When someone manipulates a child for sexual purposes, federal law takes a hard stance. The recent guilty plea of Anthony Pangallo, a previously convicted sex offender, brings this into sharp focus. This case shows how federal authorities pursue individuals who exploit minors, especially through online grooming and coercion. What is Sexual Exploitation of a Child? Sexual exploitation of a child is a serious federal crime that goes beyond simple possession of illegal materials. Under federal law, it's illegal to entice, persuade, or coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating visual depictions, like photos or videos. The law applies to activities that involve interstate commerce, meaning if the crime crosses state lines or uses the internet—which almost always does—it can be prosecuted in federal court. This allows federal authorities, like the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, to step in and work with local and state law enforc...

For many Americans, the history of slavery feels distant, an injustice of the past. Yet, its legacy continues to haunt our present through stark racial inequities in wealth, health, and opportunity. This isn't a coincidence; it's a direct result of systems of oppression that were built and profited from by corporations that still exist today. It's time for these powerful, "artificial persons" to be held accountable. A Broken Promise and Corporate Complicity The first attempt at reparations in America was the promise of "40 acres and a mule". A federal order issued during the Civil War, it offered land to formerly enslaved people to help them achieve economic independence. But this promise was brutally short-lived. After President Lincoln’s assassination, the order was reversed, snatching away this opportunity and forcing millions into a cycle of poverty and exploitation. While the government betrayed this promise, major corporations were acti...

For many employees, a performance review feels like a one-way street—a formal, often nerve-wracking meeting where a manager delivers an assessment. But what happens after that meeting? Where does that information go, and who gets to see it? The answers to those questions are at the heart of a critical, and often overlooked, ethical duty for managers and human resources professionals: confidentiality. When you break it down, a performance review isn't just a record of your work; it's a reflection of your professional identity. The Ethical Foundation of Confidentiality Think of the relationship between an employee and their manager as a professional partnership built on trust. Just as a doctor or a lawyer has an ethical obligation to protect your private information, a manager has a similar duty to safeguard your performance data. This isn't just about following rules; it’s about creating a healthy, respectful workplace. When an employee knows their performance re...

  In a Long Island nursing home, a certified nurse aide (CNA) we'll call "Sue" was fired after a serious patient injury. While this might seem like a straightforward case of a worker being held accountable, it actually reveals a disturbing, systemic issue: the nursing home's own policies were being routinely ignored, and management was aware of it. The Unspoken Rule The nursing home had a clear, written policy for using the Hoyer lift, a mechanical device designed to safely move patients with limited mobility. The policy, a standard practice in healthcare, required two staff members to be present for every patient transfer using the lift. This rule exists for a crucial reason: it prevents falls and injuries to both the patient and the staff member. However, the blog's scenario explains that Sue, along with other CNAs, would routinely use the lift by themselves. This wasn't a secret. The staff was under pressure to work quickly, and management, awar...

A U.S. District Court judge in Nevada took a decisive step on August 21, 2025, against the companies behind schemes like IM Mastery Academy and their leaders. This isn't a final judgment, but a "preliminary injunction"—a powerful legal tool designed to press pause on alleged illegal activity while a case is being decided. Think of it as a legal freeze-frame that prevents further harm to consumers. What's Happening in the Case? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State of Nevada have filed a complaint alleging that the defendants, including Chris and Isis Terry, ran a multi-level marketing (MLM) business that used false or baseless earnings claims to sell training on financial markets. According to the FTC, this scheme has caused over $1.2 billion in harm to consumers since 2018. The defendants allegedly targeted young people, using social media to flaunt luxurious lifestyles to draw them in. The preliminary injunction is a direct response to these a...

Kenneth Thom, who went by the flashy online names "K$" and "K Money," allegedly used social media to build a following and deceive hundreds of people out of nearly $800,000. This story is a classic example of how someone can leverage the illusion of success to commit serious financial crimes. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting online "experts" without doing your homework. The Deception: A 'Wall Street Veteran' on Facebook Before his social media fame, Thom had been suspended as a stockbroker by a regulatory body called FINRA. This was because he'd lost an investor's money, mixed it with his own, and then lied to the investor about it. Instead of cleaning up his act, he took to Facebook, presenting himself as a "Wall Street veteran" and a trading "luminary" to his followers. He sold trading courses and advice, building a community he eventually convinced to hand over their money for ...