Salamanca teacher from Frewsburg arrested for allegedly pocketing money as part-time chiropractor...
A Frewsburg man has been arrested for allegedly committing heath care fraud and making false statements about his part-time chiropractic practice. U-S Attorney William Hochul, Jr. says that Leo Kronert, Jr., also known as Lee Kronert... was a full-time teacher at the time at Salamanca High School. Assistant U-S Attorney Maura O'Donnell says Kronert was also running his chiropractic business... and, billing Medicare and private insurance companies between January of 2011 and December of 2015. However... O'Donnell says the claims included services allegedly performed on Kronert’s family members... claims for services the defendant did not provide... and, claims for services allegedly provided while the defendant was out of town. He made an initial appearance in U-S District Court... and, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison... and, a $250,000 fine.
Clymer man arrested for allegedly threatening people with shot-gun during road rage incident in French Creek...
A Clymer man is jailed on $15,000 cash bail for allegedly causing a two-car crash in the town of French Creek... and, threatening the two people in the other car with a shotgun. Sheriff's Officers say they were called to the scene of the accident... and, incident... on Marks Corners Road about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday. They were also told that one person was pointing a gun at another person. On arrival... they found 34 year-old Nathan Babcock waving and pointing the shot-gun towards the others involved in the accident. Deputies ordered Babcock to drop the gun... which he did... and, he was arrested without incident. Futher investigation found he had allegedly caused the accident, and, then got the gun out. He's accused of hitting the two other men in the face with the gun, and firing one shot in the air. The other driver... a Corry, Pennsylvania man... ticketed for DWI. Babcock was arraigned on several assault and menacing charges... and, sent to the county lock-up pending further court action.
Local leaders breathing easier after Empire State Development takes over state management of Athenex projects...
Local leaders are feeling much better about situation concerning the Athenex project... now that Empire State Development is taking on the state's lead role. State Senator Cathy Young told us Wednesday that she wanted to see the change, and ESD announced it was doing it late Wednesday afternoon. County Executive Vince Horrigan tells us he feels it's a good move... and, should help get the project involving the location of a pharmaceutical plant in the town of Dunkirk moving once again. Horrigan says he spoke with Young and, Athenex officials later Wednesday... and, was updated on the situation. The Buffalo News reported Wednesday that the company's Chief Executive Officer stated that the projects had stalled with the state. Horrigan says just two weeks ago, representatives of the County's education coalition visited the QuaDPharma production site in Newstead in Erie County. He says company executives plan to come to Chautauqua County during the first week of October to tour educational and job training facilities.
New Lucy statue not missing, but, getting base fixed...
The new statue of comedic legend Lucille Ball in Celoron is not missing. She's been sent back to Eastern New York sculptor Carolyn Palmer's New Jersey studio so the base can be fixed. Village Mayor Scot Schrecengost says Palmer initially became concerned after the sculpture was unveiled August 6th with how the bolts were aligned with the holes in the base. Schrecengost says the 800-pound statue would move if touched, and if a gust of wind blew against it. He says that's because, during the mounting process, the bolts didn't clear the bolts properly. He says because of that... the statue was prevented from resting properly on the base. Some people who went to see the statue Wednesday morning apparently called Ellicott Town Police to report the figure of the Jamestown-area's most famous red-head had been stolen. However... Schrecengost says Palmer's people had contacted him Tuesday night to say they were going to be arriving early Wednesday morning to take the bronze figure. He says Palmer will fix the problem... and, the statue will be returned -- more securely -- in a week or week-and-a-half.
Buffalo-area man sentenced for racketeering...
A former construction union president has been sentenced to three years in prison for his part in what prosecutors say was a 10-year criminal enterprise that used intimidation and violence to secure jobs. Mark Kirsch was one of 12 people indicted in the case against Operating Engineers Local 17 in 2008. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Lynch says that between 1997 and 2007, leaders and members of the suburban Buffalo-based union sabotaged equipment and attacked nonunion workers at job sites. Kirsch was one of eight people convicted following a nine-week trial. The jury acquitted four others.
