A Jamestown-area businessman has been indicted by the Chautauqua County Grand Jury for using improper sales procedures, and improperly filing tax returns.
District Attorney Patrick Swanson says the grand jury handed down the 20-count indictment late Mondayagainst owner Kenneth Asel of Ken Asel R-V's in Gerry. Swanson says the allegations include four counts of third-degree Grand Larceny one count of second-degree forgery two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud and thirteen counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing.
Swanson says the indictment was the result of a lengthy investigation by the D-A’s office it's Crimes Against Revenue Program Investigation Unit, state Police and, others. He says the allegations surround Asel’s business practices at Ken Asel R-V’s between March of 2012 through August 2015.
He was arrested on a warrant and, arraigned. Bail was set at $5,000 cash... $10,000 property bond.
The Deputy U-S Attorney General says he will "defend the integrity" of the special counsel's investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. elections.
That from Rod Rosenstein to a Senate Committee Tuesday morning in the wake of comments by President Donald Trump that he may fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller who is now investigating the alleged manipulation of last year's Presidential election.
Local Congressman Tom Reed says he doesn't believe what the president tweeted about Mueller has "any voracity." Reed adds that if there is nothing there it's time to "move foward." He says he wants Mueller to "get to the bottom of what's going on" for the benefit of everyone namely the American people.
U-S Senator Dianne Feinstein of California told Rosenstein that she believes it would be "catastrophic" if special counsel Robert Mueller were fired based on the tweet by President Trump.
Legislation has again been introduced in Congress that may help officials get a better handle on the overabundance of nutrients that have led to excessive weed and algae bloom growth in Chautauqua Lake.
That from local Representative Tom Reed who says the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act uses tax credits to develop technology that boosts the use of biomass and, recover manure resources a problem that is seen on Chautauqua Lake.
Reed says it would allow the tax code to allow for people to develop and invest in that technology. Reed says the idea is to support current and, new emerging techologies that will eventually "stand on their own" commercially. He made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.
New York state has hosted its first ever demonstration of a driverless vehicle on public roads.
During Tuesday's test drive in Albany two engineers rode in the vehicle for about six miles. State officials say the engineers monitored the ride at all times to ensure safety.
Governor Andrew Cuomo hailed the demonstration as a "major milestone" in the development of a technology that he says is the "next frontier" in transportation.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul also took a test drive in the vehicle. She said driverless cars offer "tremendous potential" for improving traffic safety.
With little more than a week left in the legislative session, some state lawmakers and community advocates are renewing the push for legalized recreational marijuana in New York state.
State Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly member Crystal Peoples-Stokes are joining with advocates organized by the Drug Policy Alliance Monday afternoon to announce reintroduction of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.
Past efforts have stalled in legislative committees. The bill would establish a legal market for marijuana in New York and tax and regulate it like alcohol.
The lawmakers say the potential tax revenue stream is considerable since it's estimated that New Yorkers spend 3-billion dollars a year on marijuana.
Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo has been dubious about legalizing weed beyond limited medical use of non-smokeable forms.
