Sunday, December 31, 2017
St. Lawrence sentencing delay units off Ramapo residents
Former Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence’s sentencing on federal corruption and fraud convictions has been delayed. U.S. District Court Cathy Seibel wants to determine what his crimes cost investors who made decisions based on cooked books that covered up the failing finances of the town and Ramapo Local Development Corporation.
But what about the cost to the town’s reputation? And future town property taxpayers? Many lohud commentors wondered what St. Lawrence’s misdeeds mean for a town that‘s already wracked with community tensions. Those circumstances may not factor into St. Lawrence’s sentencing, but it certainly weighs on many town residents’ minds.
“The bond holders are not the only people that are affected by this,” . “We … are the ones holding the bag because we are the ones PAYING the bonds back. The judge should take into consideration We The Taxpayer!!!”
“The entire town was damaged as a result of St. Lawrence’s behavior,” said . “The (amount) of money is less important than the loss of confidence in the system.” Fitzgerald also wondered how one could calculate the town’s damaged reputation on property values, and by extension, the property tax base.
that consideration should extend beyond bondholders. “I for one would appreciate the prosecution coming up with a quick summary of the financial harm to the Ramapo taxpayer for the stadium,” she said, referring to St. Lawrence‘s schemes to finance the construction of the Palisades Credit Union Park, home of the independent league Rockland Boulders. St. Lawrence‘s fabrications helped hide the floundering finances of the town and the RLDC, which St. Lawrence once led and which built the stadium.
Munitz was among those who pointed out that property taxpayers sooner or later foot town bills. If the prosecutors sought them, she said, “hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people (would be) willing to sign a victim statement.”
Many also want St. Lawrence to pay for his role in feeding tensions in town — especially between longtime residents and a growing ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish community — and for opening the floodgates to rapid development with terrible land-use policies and lax enforcement.
Those issues, though, were not part of the federal case against St. Lawrence, which focused on securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy and forced him from the supervisor‘s seat after more than 16 years leading the town.
Seibel will start hearings on Wednesday to determine the accuracy of prosecutors‘ estimate that St. Lawrence‘s crimes cost investors $2.3 million. If that figure sticks, prosecutors can push for an enhanced sentence of 14 years in prison. Probation officials, meanwhile, have recommended 24 to 30 months, while St. Lawrence‘s attorney is advocating probation.
Former Ramapo Assistant Attorney and RLDC executive director Aaron Troodler is due to be sentenced Dec. 12, that is, if St. Lawrence‘s sentencing occurs. Troodler pleaded guilty to securities fraud and other charges in connection with the same scheme and testified against St. Lawrence. Troodler has been disbarred.
As for St. Lawrence, whatever Seibel’s determination of the cost of his crime, and his subsequent sentence, will likely leave many longtime Ramapo residents frustrated and still concerned about their town’s future.
https://kaplanherald.com/2017/12/31/st-lawrence-sentencing-delay-units-off-ramapo-residents-lohudreacts/
But what about the cost to the town’s reputation? And future town property taxpayers? Many lohud commentors wondered what St. Lawrence’s misdeeds mean for a town that‘s already wracked with community tensions. Those circumstances may not factor into St. Lawrence’s sentencing, but it certainly weighs on many town residents’ minds.
“The bond holders are not the only people that are affected by this,” . “We … are the ones holding the bag because we are the ones PAYING the bonds back. The judge should take into consideration We The Taxpayer!!!”
“The entire town was damaged as a result of St. Lawrence’s behavior,” said . “The (amount) of money is less important than the loss of confidence in the system.” Fitzgerald also wondered how one could calculate the town’s damaged reputation on property values, and by extension, the property tax base.
that consideration should extend beyond bondholders. “I for one would appreciate the prosecution coming up with a quick summary of the financial harm to the Ramapo taxpayer for the stadium,” she said, referring to St. Lawrence‘s schemes to finance the construction of the Palisades Credit Union Park, home of the independent league Rockland Boulders. St. Lawrence‘s fabrications helped hide the floundering finances of the town and the RLDC, which St. Lawrence once led and which built the stadium.
Munitz was among those who pointed out that property taxpayers sooner or later foot town bills. If the prosecutors sought them, she said, “hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people (would be) willing to sign a victim statement.”
Many also want St. Lawrence to pay for his role in feeding tensions in town — especially between longtime residents and a growing ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish community — and for opening the floodgates to rapid development with terrible land-use policies and lax enforcement.
Those issues, though, were not part of the federal case against St. Lawrence, which focused on securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy and forced him from the supervisor‘s seat after more than 16 years leading the town.
Seibel will start hearings on Wednesday to determine the accuracy of prosecutors‘ estimate that St. Lawrence‘s crimes cost investors $2.3 million. If that figure sticks, prosecutors can push for an enhanced sentence of 14 years in prison. Probation officials, meanwhile, have recommended 24 to 30 months, while St. Lawrence‘s attorney is advocating probation.
Former Ramapo Assistant Attorney and RLDC executive director Aaron Troodler is due to be sentenced Dec. 12, that is, if St. Lawrence‘s sentencing occurs. Troodler pleaded guilty to securities fraud and other charges in connection with the same scheme and testified against St. Lawrence. Troodler has been disbarred.
As for St. Lawrence, whatever Seibel’s determination of the cost of his crime, and his subsequent sentence, will likely leave many longtime Ramapo residents frustrated and still concerned about their town’s future.
https://kaplanherald.com/2017/12/31/st-lawrence-sentencing-delay-units-off-ramapo-residents-lohudreacts/
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