New York Paralegal Blog

Stealing a home from an elderly widow receiving hospice care is a despicable act, and that's exactly what a recent case in New York uncovered. A Manhattan woman and a Queens man have been indicted for allegedly forging documents to steal the Queens home of an elderly widow, Renuka Bherwani. The Scheme to Steal a Home According to the investigation by the New York Attorney General's office, Deepa Roy, 68, and Victor Quimis, 39, worked together to steal the home that Mrs. Bherwani had owned for nearly 40 years. Here's how the alleged scheme unfolded: Gaining Access: While Mrs. Bherwani was in hospice care for dementia, Roy began visiting her home, claiming to be a friend. She later tried to move into the home but was denied by the family. Forging Documents: In October 2024, Roy and Quimis allegedly forged a deed transferring ownership of the home to themselves for free. They also forged other real estate documents, including the notarized signatures and stamps. Tr...

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to make a deal with a simple handshake. But for centuries, the legal world has recognized that relying on memory and trust alone for certain agreements can be a recipe for disaster. That's why we have the Statute of Frauds. This law has deep historical roots, tracing back to 17th-century England with the "Act for the Prevention of Frauds and Perjuries" in 1677. Its purpose then, as now, was to prevent people from lying in court and claiming a contract existed when it didn't, or twisting the terms of a verbal agreement to their benefit. Think of it as a rulebook that says some types of agreements must be in writing to be legally enforceable. Why the Fuss About Writing? The main reason for the Statute of Frauds is to prevent misunderstandings and outright fraud. Imagine agreeing to sell your house with just a verbal promise. What if the other person later denies the agreement, or you disagree on the details? Wit...

Yesterday, our New York community was shattered by a senseless act of violence that claimed four innocent lives. Among them was NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, a dedicated 3 1/2-year veteran. He leaves behind his incredibly brave wife, eight months pregnant, and two young sons. My heart aches for them, for his NYPD family, and for every person touched by this tragedy. The weapon used in this horrific attack? An AR-15–style assault rifle – the very same weapon of war we've seen tear through communities in mass shootings across America. Here in New York, we've fought hard for strong gun laws. We've banned assault weapons, strengthened our Red Flag Law, and closed dangerous loopholes. We've done our part. But our laws, no matter how robust, can only go so far when a weapon designed for war can be easily obtained in a state with weak gun laws and then brought into New York to commit mass murder. This isn't just a New York problem; it's an American crisis. We...

It's a story that makes your stomach churn. This week, a Georgia woman, Rachel Lodice, was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison in Nassau County, New York. Her crime? Driving while high on marijuana, causing a horrific crash that killed 64-year-old Cynthia Mitchell and severely injured her passenger. You might be thinking, "But isn't marijuana legal in New York?" And you'd be right. Adults 21 and over can legally possess and consume cannabis in New York State. But here's where common sense must step in, and where Rachel Lodice's actions tragically failed. Legal Doesn't Mean Without Consequence The legalization of marijuana has been a significant shift, and for many, it's about personal freedom and responsible choices. However, there's a world of difference between enjoying a cannabis product responsibly in the privacy of your home and getting behind the wheel of a car while impaired. Consider the facts of this case: Extreme Reckles...

Ever felt like you've been treated unfairly because of who you are? Dealing with discrimination can be tough, and figuring out how to report it used to involve a lot of paperwork. But here's some great news for New Yorkers: the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) has launched a brand new call center to make reporting discrimination simpler and more accessible than ever before! What's the big deal? For the very first time, you can now report discrimination directly over the phone with a real person. No more endless forms to fill out by yourself! How does it work? Just dial (844) NYS-DHR1 or (844) 697-3471. You'll be connected with a friendly, trained professional who will listen to your story. They'll ask you about what happened and why you believe it was discrimination, clarifying any details as needed. Think of them as your personal assistant for filing a report. They'll document everything you share and process it as a discrimination repo...

That little red light you don't see might be the most important one in the room. With the advent of micro audio and video recorders, smaller than a button on your shirt, the age of private conversations at work is over. Think about that for a moment. Every word you utter, every sigh of frustration, could be documented. In New York, it's perfectly legal. Welcome to the modern workplace, where the old adage "walls have ears" has been upgraded to "your colleague has a high-definition recorder." New York State operates under a "one-party consent" law for audio recordings. This means that as long as the person hitting record is part of the conversation, they don't need your permission to capture every single word. Your consent is not required. Let that sink in. The disgruntled coworker, the overly ambitious cubicle rival, or even the boss looking for an edge – any one of them can legally create a permanent record of your conv...

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Kevin Clor Accused of Submitting 150 Bogus Receipts for CLE Classes, Legal Reference Materials Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment of KEVIN CLOR, 40, for stealing more than $211,000 from the New York State Thruway Employees Local 72 (the “Union”) and for submitting forged receipts for reimbursement. CLOR was indicted on two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, 16 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, and 16 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.

NEW YORK - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a sweeping new initiative that will give the Attorney General the authority to investigate and potentially prosecute any wrongdoing involving government spending, including member items, contracts, and pension fraud. By working with the Comptroller to police public integrity in Albany, the Attorney General is building on his multi-pronged approach to root out waste, fraud and corruption in state government. “As stewards of the public trust, we are all responsible for doing our part to crack down on public corruption with every tool at our disposal. We need to be smarter, faster and more efficient than what current law allows,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “That is why it is critical we close every loophole that exists in current law as part of comprehensive ethics legislation. We need such legislation now more than ever, and I look forward to working with the Governor and legislative leaders in the coming weeks t...

The Justice Department announced that Zarein Ahmedzay, a U.S. citizen and resident of Queens, N.Y., pleaded guilty today in the Eastern District of New York to terrorism violations stemming from, among other activities, his role in an al-Qaeda plot to conduct coordinated suicide bombings on New York’s subway system in September 2009. At a hearing this afternoon before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven M. Gold, Ahmedzay, 25, pleaded guilty to the following violations: conspiracy to use a weapon of mass of destruction (explosive bombs) against persons or property in the United States; conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country; and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, namely al-Qaeda. Ahmedzay faces a sentence of up to life in prison.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports, explaining your rights under the FCRA and how to order a free annual credit report. A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home. You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com . More...

(USDOJ) The Department of Justice announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging three Staten Island, N.Y., men with conspiring to assault African-Americans in retaliation for President-Elect Barack Obama’s election victory. Ralph Nicoletti and Michael Contreras, both 18, and Brian Carranza, 21, were arrested late Tuesday and are scheduled for arraignment today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann in Brooklyn. As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, on the night of Nov. 4, 2008, shortly after learning of Barack Obama’s election victory, the group, along with a fourth friend, decided to find African-Americans to assault. Full Story...

(NYGOV) After visiting with members of the armed forces in Iraq, Governor Paterson and U.S. Representatives Steve Israel (D-NY) and Anthony Weiner (D-NY) toured Afghanistan Tuesday as they completed their visit with American troops stationed in both countries. In Afghanistan, the delegation met with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and nearly 200 New York troops. Governor Paterson awarded Purple Hearts to several service members. More...

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced a foreclosure moratorium in 34 parishes throughout Southern and Central Louisiana and offered support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following Hurricane Gustav. This foreclosure relief will help families living in presidentially declared disaster areas whose damaged homes are insured through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Last evening, President Bush issued a disaster declaration throughout Louisiana including Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Parishes. More...

Michael J. Garcia, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the indictment of Aafia Siddiqui on charges related to her attempted murder and assault of United States nationals and officers and employees. Siddiqui is scheduled to be arraigned on the Indictment on Thursday, September 4, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. by United States District Judge Richard M. Berman in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. According to the Indictment filed in Manhattan federal court: On July 18, 2008, a team of United States servicemen and law enforcement officers, and others assisting them, attempted to interview Aafia Siddiqui in Ghazni, Afghanistan, where she had been detained by local police the day before. The United States interview team included, among others: three officers and employees of the United States Army; two officers and employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and two United States Army contract interpreters. More....

(NALA) - The data is based on analysis of the responses to the 2008 National Utilization and Compensation Survey report which was collected by a web based survey from October 15, 2007-February 15, 2008. There were 1434 responses received and utilized for this report. 5% of the population are males; 95% are females. The average age of survey participants is 45. 66% of the participants are members of NALA; 67% have received the Certified Legal Assistant/ Certified Paralegal credential. Respondents are from a diverse geographical area. Forty-eight states, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia are represented by the population. Among the regions of the United States, the Southeast region was represented by 42% of the respondents; Southwest region was represented by 20%; Far West was represented by 11%; Plains States was represented by 14%; Great Lakes was represented by 5%; Rocky Mountain states were represented by 4%; and New England/Mid East was represented by 4% of t...

Standing before a historic New York Central steam locomotive, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined City Council Member Gale Brewer, Riverside Park Fund President James Dowell, Extell Development Corporation President Gary Barnett, and local children to drive the last spike into the ground to open the fourth and final waterfront phase of Riverside Park South. The 3.5-acre park is one of the last remaining links in a continuous Hudson River Greenway and was once the site of the New York Central Railroad’s 60th Street yard. “Today’s historic ribbon cutting connects Riverside Park with Hudson River Park in the same way the railroads connected the nations’ two coasts and creates a continuous greenway from Battery Park to 83rd Street,” said Commissioner Benepe. “In addition to new walkways and landscaping, the park’s grandest feature is a 60-year old, 95-ton, retired locomotive. This unique artifact is a reminder of the site’s industrial past as a rail yard, and as ...

SUNY Rockland Community College is having a paralegal open house on August 21, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Student Union, Room 3214. At the Open House students can sign up for classes and learn details about the American Bar Association approved program, including internship and job opportunities. The program offers a post-degree certificate or an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. The paralegal instructors are attorneys and paralegals with experience in their fields (See, RCC ). For additional information please contact: Deborah Vinecour Esq. Email: dvinecou@sunyrockland.edu Phone: (845) 574 - 4169

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department announced today the settlement of a lawsuit against Salem County and the borough of Penns Grove, N.J., alleging violations of the rights of Puerto Rican voters under the Voting Rights Act. The settlement agreement requires the county and borough to ensure that elections are equally open to Latino voters, that Spanish language assistance and materials be available at the polls, and that Spanish-speaking voters be allowed to select the assistor of their choice. One of the concerns that led to the Civil Rights Division’s investigation was that the borough and county were violating the rights of voters who had been educated in Spanish in American-flag schools in Puerto Rico. The settlement agreement was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey contemporaneously with the complaint and an accompanying proposed order allowing federal observers to monitor election day activities in its polling place. The order still must be appro...