SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ejembi Onah, age 61, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced to serve 24 months in federal prison yesterday following trial convictions for two counts of wire fraud and three counts of transacting in criminally derived property for fraudulently obtaining two Paycheck Program (PPP) loans during the pandemic, receiving over $140,000 in loan proceeds, and spending those proceeds, among other things, in three separate transactions each exceeding $10,000. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. PPP loans were United States Small Business Administration (SBA)-guaranteed, forgivable loans authorized in the Coronavirus Aid Relief, Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was enacted in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering adverse economic effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. The government’s evidence at Onah’s October 2023 non-jury trial established that Onah submitted two fraudulent PPP loan applications to two different lenders in June 2020. Each application included false information about the payroll and number of employees at Onah’s company, which he claimed was engaged in a seasonal nanotechnology business and were supported by falsified tax returns. Onah spent the more than $140,000 he received to, among other things, pay back rent at his personal residence, lease a luxury car, and pay for his daily living expenses. United States District Judge David N. Hurd also ordered that Onah serve a two-year term of supervised release following his release from prison and pay $218,983.32 in restitution to his victims. IRS-CI and HSI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Joshua R. Rosenthal prosecuted the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit  https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at:  https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . Updated October 10, 2024 Sources: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/ithaca-man-sentenced-serve-24-months-federal-prison-pandemic-loan-fraud

UPDATE: The investigation determined that a 2014 Ford Mustang was traveling northbound on County Route 57 speeding through a red light at the intersection and struck a 2016 Ford Escape, that was traveling westbound on State Route 31.  The single occupant of the 2014 Mustang, operated by Michael E. Paetow , age 72, from Liverpool, NY, was transported to Upstate University Hospital and pronounced deceased. The operator of the 2016 Escape, Shaylee A. Allen , age 26, from Tully, NY, and back passenger Roxanne Rizzo (11-month-old), sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The front passenger, Dawn M. Brown , age 58, from Syracuse, NY, was transported to Upstate University Hospital and pronounced deceased. —————————————————— Original Press Release: On October 13, 2024, at about 11:17 a.m., State Police Lysander and North Syracuse responded to a two-car personal injury accident at the intersection of State Route 31 and County Route 57 (Oswego Road) in the town of Clay. The investigation is currently ongoing, and State Police can confirm that two people have perished as a result of the accident. State Police are currently on the scene reconstructing the accident, conducting interviews, and asking citizens to avoid the area. The estimated time of closure will be three to four hours.  More information will be provided as soon as it is available.   If anyone was in the area at the time of the incident and can provide any information, they are requested to contact the State Police at 315-366-6000 .    Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/update-state-police-investigating-two-person-fatal-crash-clay

On October 11, 2024, at approximately 4:18 p.m., State Police Marcy Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to Hamilton College at 198 College Hill Road in the town of Kirkland after receiving a report of anti-Semitic remarks being posted on art canvasses on campus.   Several interviews were conducted, video surveillance was reviewed, and a suspect was developed.   On October 12, 2024, the suspect, Adyn S. Brenden, age 19, from South Dakota, a student at the college was located in his dorm room.   Brenden agreed to speak with State Police and ultimately admitted to posting the remarks and was taken into custody.    Brenden was transported to State Police Marcy and processed on one count of Aggravated Harassment 1st Degree (class “E” felony).   Brenden was issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Kirkland Town Court on October 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.   Hamilton College has suspended Brenden from campus pending a hearing for his dismissal from the school  There remains no threat against students or faculty at Hamilton College.  Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-arrest-hamilton-college-student-aggravated-harassment

On October 13, 2024, at about 3:30 p.m., SP Watertown Troopers responded to the area of North Main St, the village of Evans Mills, NY, for a stolen vehicle complaint.   It was reported Gregory Hess , age 44, from Evans Mills, NY, stole a 2012 Chevrolet Impala and the owner’s daughter attempted to stop him.  The victim ended up on the hood of the vehicle and Hess aggressively sped up and began swerving back and forth in an attempt to get the female to fall off. They traveled a couple hundred yards before she eventually fell off, almost striking her head on the pavement. She sustained some minor road rash on her side and was evaluated and cleared on-scene by EMS.   Hess was eventually located and taken into custody.  He was arrested for Grand Larceny 4th degree (class “E” felony), Reckless Endangerment 1st degree (class “D” felony), and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (Vehicle and Traffic Law Misdemeanor).  He is currently waiting to be arraigned in Jefferson County CAP Court.  Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-arrest-evans-mills-man-after-car-theft

On October 13, 2024, at about 11:59 a.m.,  State Police Oneida responded to a report of a roll-over accident on Fyler Road near the intersection of Devaul Road in the town of Sullivan.   It was reported that the accident occurred after a road rage incident involving a menacing that had just occurred. Troopers located Gary Moth , age 54, from Chittenango, NY, near the vehicle and detained him.   The victims reported that Moth approached them from behind and began driving in an erratic manner. Both the driver and passenger observed Moth in possession of what appeared to be a black handgun pointing it at them as he began passing them in the oncoming lane.   Moth then crashed his vehicle into the victim’s vehicle causing him to lose control and roll over. The victims reported that they did not know or have any relationship with Moth .   A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a replica Glock model pellet handgun and a quantity of methamphetamine.   Moth was placed under arrest and began to complain of minor injury stemming from the accident.  He was transported to Upstate Medical Center for treatment and released a short time later.     Moth was then transported to SP Sullivan for processing.   Moth was arrested for one count of Menacing 2nd degree (class “A” misdemeanor), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree (class “A” misdemeanor), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th –degree (class “A” misdemeanor), Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, and additional tickets.  He was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Sullivan Court on November 12, 2024 at 03:00 p.m.     State Police were assisted on scene by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and North Madison County Ambulance.   Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/road-rage-incident-sullivan-leads-arrest

On October 6, 2024,  at 2:38 a.m., State Police in Herkimer were dispatched to a two-car crash on State Route 5 in the Town of Herkimer. A 2010 Dodge, operated by Charles E. Taylor, age 54, from Herkimer, NY, was traveling eastbound on State Route 5 when he crossed over into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a 2015 Chevrolet, operated by Michael J Palmer, age 35, from Frankfort, NY. Mr. Palmer was transported to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where he succumbed to his injuries. Mr. Taylor was transported to MVHS-Wynn Hospital, where he is listed as stable.

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. presented a 2025 proposed budget and capital plan to the Board of Legislators today that carried with it no increase to the property tax levy for the twelfth consecutive year.  The $549 million proposal is a balanced operational budget that appropriates $151 million in sales tax revenue, $23 million in Oneida Indian Nation revenue and retires just over $19 million in debt. The capital budget will bond for $21.6 million. As was the case last year, 90% of the 2025 budget proposal is mandated costs by New York State, while 10% is considered discretionary spending controlled by Oneida County. Picente said that the July 16th tornado in Rome was a major factor in the proposed budget, with the county racking up $23 million in response costs to this point, including at least $10 million in damages to Oneida County’s facilities in the city. “We moved $5 million from fund balance to begin to address needs,” Picente said. “Together, with our partners, we set up temporary shelters and began to put hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of food replenishment cards into the hands of people just 48 hours after the tornado. We bought a myriad of supplies for impromptu food banks and our mobile units. We put $300,000 towards business recovery. Most importantly we have put nearly $1.4 million into the hands of over 450 residents whose properties were wrecked by this tornado. “Without a healthy fund balance and a strong fiscal position, this government’s ability to help in the immediate aftermath and long-term recovery of the tornado would have been limited,” he added. “Because of the work we’ve done year in and year out, we were able to lead the way through this emergency and make a real difference in the lives of those affected.” Cost increases associated with contract settlements also had a large impact on the budget proposal. “This year, we had increases in cost that were essential to how this government functions and were long overdue,” Picente said. “Salaries and benefits are up $30 million. All union contracts are settled. For the first time, we made five-year agreements that consolidated steps and increased pay for all our employees. We were not competitive in the marketplace. We couldn’t recruit and we couldn’t retain. We were not set up for long-term success and a comprehensive approach was necessary and is reflected in these contracts.”  Picente said that keeping the tax levy at zero this year was a difficult task that was accomplished through a 17-year foundation of fiscal stability, and by making some tough calls, including reducing initial departmental requests by $14 million and then cutting another $9 million from discretionary spending across all departments. He said he had considered a modest property tax increase, but ultimately decided against it. That said, the long trend of zeroes could come to an end soon. “I want everyone to understand a hard reality,” Picente said. “Our revenue streams fluctuate. Sales tax will not go up forever. Nation revenue won’t always increase at the same pace. We have to be cognizant of those potential outcomes. This government cannot continue to be everything to everyone with the financial structure the way it is.” Picente said that some hard choices will have to be considered next year including whether to continue keeping villages whole on their property tax collection, sharing Nation revenue with local governments and using an outdated sales tax formula that doesn’t meet county government requirements. The Board of Legislators will vote on the County Executive’s 2025 budget proposal at its meeting on Nov. 13, 2024. Full 2025 Budget Proposal Report here . Full 2025 Budget Address here . Video of today’s budget presentation here .

As 2024 enters its final quarter, County officials are busy putting in place Oneida County spending plans for 2025.  This past week, County Executive Picente unveiled his proposed operating budget and capital plans of $549,872,906, an increase of roughly 20 million dollars from 2024.  For the 12th consecutive year, the proposed budget carries no increase in the property tax levy.   Before adopting the budget on November 13th, the Oneida County Board of Legislators will conduct a series of meetings with various County departments to review each department’s spending plan and culminate with two public hearings.  The first hearing will take place on Thursday, November 7th at 6:00 PM in the Legislative Chambers, County Office Building 10th floor, 800 Park Ave, Utica while the second hearing is scheduled in Rome at the MVCC campus at 6:00 PM on November 12th.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend either or both hearings and make public statements or comments relative to the proposed budget. Approximately 90% of the budget makeup is state-mandated services and expenses.  In addition to property taxes, other major sources of revenues for the County include sales tax and the Oneida Indian Nation agreement.    The Oneida County Board of Legislators meetings and activities, including the County Executive’s budget address, may be viewed at: Oneida County Board of Legislators | Oneida County ( ocgov.net )  Oneida County Legislator Keith Schiebel from District 1 Oneida County Legislator Keith Schiebel represents District 1 of the Oneida County Board of Legislators.  Schiebel is currently in his fifth two-year term as a legislator and represents the Town of Vernon, City of Sherrill, villages of Vernon and Oneida Castle, and parts of the Town of Verona including election districts 3 and 5. Schiebel is currently chair of the County’s Economic Development and Tourism committee and a member of Public Works, Government Operations, and Ways and Means committees.  Schiebel is also the Board of Legislator’s representative to the State Association of Counties Agriculture Committee and the CNY (Syracuse) Regional Marketing Authority Board of Directors.

Andrew and Melanie Catello, the owners of My Upstate NY Marketing, have purchased the old Tombstone Saloon on Route 5 in Vernon, NY, next to the Utica Rome Speedway. They are breathing new life into the property by renovating the building and transforming it into a stunning venue called "The Spot" Venue. Their plan is to host events and monthly meetings as well as encourage collaborations with the community to generate new ideas and events. Additionally, they intend to organize fundraisers for local non-profit organizations.  Mr. Catello from My Upstate NY Marketing said, "When we work with businesses and bring them together, we cultivate growth, innovation, and a thriving community."  They have host a few events recently for local politicians, birthday party and a very successful inaugural Town of Vernon Town Hall Community Forum.  Sources: myupstate

VVS Mini Storage hosted another Free Electronic Recycling Drive-Thru Event in Vernon on Saturday, October 5th, at the Old Pohl's Feed Mill. The event was a great success, with over 140 local people dropping off old and obsolete electronics to be properly disposed of. Onsite data destruction of laptops, desktops, tablets, and phones ensured that all data was permanently erased and unrecoverable. Additionally, they also accepted air conditioners, fridges, stoves, and other similar items for recycling.

We had a very successful inaugural Town of Vernon Town Hall Community Forum with around 60+ local community members attending. We were honored to have this event take place at our new venue! Topics included local water projects in Vernon Center, street lights, new local laws, taxes, and more! It was great to hear from the many speakers who addressed these issues and answered local questions. Was so great and can't wait for our next community event!  Thank you to everyone who came and had great questions!

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