As heard on the national newscasts, Republican congressional candidate Mazi Pillip lost last night , to Democrat Tom Souzzi in the race for the Santos House seat in Long Island and Queens. Steuben County GOP Chairman Joe Sempolinski says, the big problem with her campaign was, her handlers, would not let Mazi be herself. “She was very protected,” said Steuben County Republican Chair and former Republican Congressman Joe Sempolinski. “They were holding press conferences where they had other members of congress standing next to her, also taking questions. She didn’t do a lot of interviews either. It seems like whoever was making the stategic decisions, was very afraid of putting her out there and having her take definitive stances, and I was a little surprised by that,” Sempolinski said.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Livingston County District Attorney Gregory J. McCaffrey, and the New York State Police today announced the arrest of Patricia Chatley, 59, of Nunda, New York for allegedly stealing over $34,500 of her mother’s public pension payments after she died in January of 2020. “Ms. Chatley allegedly concealed her mother’s death to steal tens of thousands of dollars she was not entitled to,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to my investigative team, the State Police, and District Attorney McCaffrey, she is being held accountable for her actions. My office will continue to work with law enforcement agencies across the state and country to protect the New York State pension system from fraud.” “We are thankful for the diligent and thorough investigative work of the State Comptroller in bringing this fraudulent conduct to our attention. Fraudulent conduct against those who are most vulnerable in our community or in this case, fraudulent conduct against the New York State Pension system have not and will not be tolerated. We look forward to our continued work with both the New York State Comptroller and the New York State Police.” Stated District Attorney Gregory J. McCaffrey.
New York State Police Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento said, “I commend our State Police members and partners from the State Comptroller’s Office and the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office for their steadfast work on this investigation. Ms. Chatley corruptly took advantage of her deceased mother’s hard-earned pension to support her own acquisitive needs. The State Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who carry out such deliberate acts.”
The arrest came as a result of a joint investigation by the Office of the New York State Comptroller, the Livingston County District Attorney, and the New York State Police. Chatley’s mother, Janet Chatley, worked for the Livingston County Department of Social Services and retired in 1994. Upon her retirement she received monthly benefits of approximately $1,000 which should have ceased upon her death. Janet Chatley died on January 5, 2020.
DiNapoli’s Division of Investigations became aware of Janet Chatley’s death after receiving an anonymous complaint. According to the investigation, between January of 2020 and June 30, 2022, Chatley allegedly collected a total of 30 unauthorized payments that were meant for her deceased mother totaling $34,548.
Chatley, who works for the Dalton-Nunda Central School District and is a New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) member, failed to notify the bank or NYSLRS of her mother’s death and continued to collect and transfer the pension fund payments to her personal account. Forensic auditors traced the stolen money from the bank accounts, which Chatley held jointly with her mother, to her personal account, from which she withdrew it and spent it. Chatley was arrested on Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree charges. She was issued a desk appearance ticket and must return to court on February 12, 2024. The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
FROM NYSP CANANDAIGUA: On January 16, 2024, at approximately 1:27 p.m., troopers from SP Wayland and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a U-Haul traveling at a high rate of speed on I-390 in the town of Wayland. Troopers attempted to stop the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado U-Haul, but the vehicle failed to comply. A pursuit was initiated and continued on State Route 63. The suspect vehicle drove head-on toward a Steuben County deputy, causing the deputy to take evasive action to avoid being struck. The suspect vehicle then became disabled when it struck a pillar of the Community Bank in the village of Dansville. The suspect exited the vehicle, and a foot pursuit ensued. The suspect headed southbound behind the businesses of Main Street. The suspect unlawfully entered the passenger side of an uninvolved vehicle occupied by a family with three children in the back seat. The suspect was then taken into custody.
William J. Crowe, age 35, of Cohocton, NY, was charged with Attempted Robbery 2nd- Motor Vehicle (D Felony), Reckless Endangerment 1st (D Felony), two counts of Reckless Endangerment 2nd (A Misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief 4th (A Misdemeanor), two counts of Petit Larceny (A Misdemeanor), Resisting Arrest (A Misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief 4th (A Misdemeanor), three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A Misdemeanor), DWAI Drugs – Prior Conviction in 10 years and DWI-Previous Conviction in 10 years and traffic infractions. Crowe was taken to Steuben County Jail for CAP arraignment.
The Livingston County Republican Committee unanimously voted to endorse Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s campaign for New York’s 24th Congressional District.
“We are proud to endorse Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for Representative of New York’s 24th Congressional District. Congresswoman Tenney has demonstrated her strong commitment to our Republican values, farmers, small business owners, municipal leaders and constituents in Livingston County. She has brought transparency and trust back to the government process and there is never a question where she stands on the issues. These past two years, Congresswoman Tenney has held Biden and his lackeys accountable for their disastrous open border policies, skyrocketing inflation, and burdensome regulations. I encourage all Republicans in NY-24 to support Congresswoman Tenney for re-election,” said Livingston County Republican Party Chairman Mike Hillier.
Tenney is also endorsed by:
• Jefferson County Republican Committee Chairman Don Coon
• Jefferson County Conservative Committee Chairman Ken Parks
• Oswego County Republican Committee Chairman Terry Wilbur
• Seneca County Republican Committee Chairman Tom Fox
• Cayuga County Republican Committee Chairman John Camardo
• Cayuga County Conservative Committee Chairman Dave Pappert
• Wayne County Republican Committee Chairwoman MaryAnne Nicosia-McCarthy
• Wayne County Conservative Committee & Chairman Mike Garlock
• Niagara County Republican Committee Chairman Rich Andres
• Yates County Republican Committee Chairman Jack Prendergast
• Ontario County Republican Committee Chairwoman Trisha Turner
• Livingston County Republican Committee Chairman Mike Hillier
• Livingston County Conservative Committee Chairman Jason McGuire
• Wyoming County Republican Committee Chairwoman Ellen Grant
• Genesee County Republican Committee Chairman Scott German
• Genesee County Conservative Committee Chairwoman Julie Carasone
• Orleans County Republican Committee Chairman Skip Draper
FROM CONGRESSWOMAN TENNEY: Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today introduced H.Res. 965, a resolution calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen, who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban.
Additional cosponsors of Tennye’s resolution include House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Representatives Dan Meuser (R-PA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), French Hill (R-AR), Pat Ryan (D-NY), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Jim Costa (D-CA), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Pete Stauber (R-MN).
Ryan Corbett, a husband, father, and Western New Yorker has been held without charge by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August 10, 2022. Ryan is being held in a basement cell without regular access to a bathroom, sunlight, or medical care. Other Westerners who have been released from the prison where Ryan is being held report that he is in deteriorating health. Ryan’s family has been fighting for his release in silence but decided to go public because of fears for his life.
Since meeting with the Corbett family and hearing their story, Congresswoman Tenney has led the charge in fighting for Ryan’s release and well-being. This includes working to get Ryan officially designated as a wrongful detainee by the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2023.
“When I first heard of Ryan Corbett’s detention and the brutal conditions of his captivity from his wife Anna, I was heartbroken,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Inspired by Anna, his children, and his loved ones who have been bravely advocating for his release, today I introduced a bipartisan resolution, reiterating that Congress will not stand idly while an innocent American is wrongfully detained and suffers under harsh captivity at the hands of the Taliban. The strong bipartisan support for this resolution calling for Ryan Corbett’s release shows that Congress stands united in calling for Ryan’s release and condemning the Taliban’s wrongful detention of Americans. We will work tirelessly to bring attention to Ryan Corbett’s case and advocate for his immediate release to bring him home to his family.”
“I am grateful for the strong bipartisan support that my family has received, in particular from our Congresswoman, Claudia Tenney,” said Anna Corbett. “Ending the wrongful detention of Americans abroad should be in the interest of all Americans, and I am hopeful that these continued efforts to highlight Ryan’s plight will help us bring him home without delay.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is trying to get a Dansville man, who is being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August of 2022, back into the United States. His name is Ryan Corbett. Congresswoman Tenney says Ryan Corbett is in bad health and is being held in a basement. Tenney was with Ryan Corbett’s wife in Washington this morning.
The congresswoman says, Ryan’s family has been silent about this situation up to this point, but have decided to go public about him being a hostage in Afghanistan.
“Ryan Corbett, a husband, father, and Western New Yorker has been held without charge by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August 10, 2022,” Tenney stated. “Ryan is held in a basement cell without regular access to a bathroom, sunlight, or medical care. Other Westerners who have been released from the prison where Ryan is being held report that he is in deteriorating health. Ryan’s family has been fighting for his release in silence but decided to go public because of fears for his life.”
Tenney is introducing the Ryan Corbett Resolution, calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban.
FROM NYSP: On January 9, 2024, at approximately 10:45 p.m., State Police responded to reports of a three-vehicle crash on I-390 North near exit 4 in the town of Dansville. A preliminary investigation determined that a disabled tractor trailer, operated by Elias Noam, age 71, of Rochester, NY, and an assisting utility vehicle were on the shoulder of I-390 north. Roadside responders from the utility vehicle were outside assisting the disabled tractor trailer when another tractor trailer, operated by Marwan Bisharat, age 55, of Ontario Canada, traveling northbound struck the side of the disabled tractor trailer.
During the investigation, it was determined that two subjects, Timothy Washburn, age 18, of Fillmore, NY, and Jason Marshall, age 38, of Portageville, NY, from the assisting utility vehicle were standing outside of the disabled tractor trailer and were struck. Marshall was pronounced dead at the scene and Washburn was injured and transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment. The involved tractor trailer continued across the center median and came to rest in the southbound lane.Bisharat was transported to SP Geneseo and was charged with Vehicular Manslaugther 2nd (D Felony), Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (Unclassified Misdemeanor), and traffic infractions.
The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Rochester resident Dominic Pezzola, who was charged by the U.S. Attorneys Office with Conspiracy; Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers, Civil Disorder, Government Property or Contracts, Obstruction of an Official Proceeding, Robbery of Personal Property of the United States, Restricted Building or Grounds; Aiding and Abetting, was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in prison.
This follows the news from this past May, that Dansville resident, Katharine Hallock Morrison, 38, was “sentenced to eight months in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and a fine/restitution of $2,000 for obstruction of an official proceeding,” it stated on the DOJ website.
