Northeast
Democrat power broker, donor charged with racketeering
A prominent Democrat power broker is facing racketeering and other charges in New Jersey, the state’s attorney general revealed Monday.
Businessman George Norcross is facing the charges in connection to government-issued tax credits. State Attorney General Matt Platkin alleged Norcross and others got property rights along the state’s Camden waterfront and collected millions of dollars in state-backed tax credits.
Prosecutors say Norcoss and his associates “used their political influence to tailor New Jersey economic development legislation to their preferences. After the legislation was enacted in September 2013, members and associates of the Norcross Enterprise conspired to, and did, extort and coerce others to obtain — for certain individuals and business entities — properties and property rights on the Camden, New Jersey waterfront and associated tax incentive credits.”
The indictment further alleges that Norcross “led a criminal enterprise whose members and associates agreed the enterprise would extort others through threats and fear of economic and reputational harm and commit other criminal offenses to achieve the enterprise’s goals.”
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Prominent Democrat power broker George Norcross is facing racketeering and other charges in New Jersey, the state’s attorney general revealed Monday.
The indictment also charges Norcross’ brother Philip, a lobbyist; lawyer Bill Tambussi; former Camden Mayor Dana Redd; Sidney Brown, the CFO of trucking company NFI; and John O’Donnell, a northern New Jersey businessman, according to Politico.
Norcross never held elected office himself but nevertheless wielded massive power in New Jersey politics. He was also a key member of the state’s Democratic National Committee.
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Norcross was known to be friends with powerful Democrats such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among others.
Norcross was known to be friends with powerful Democrat figures, such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among others. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Another of Norcross’ brothers, Donald, is a member of the House of Representatives. He was not named in the indictment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Boston, MA
East Boston couple accused in alleged racist attack on restaurant patio after calling in noise complaint
A husband and wife have been arrested after police claim they assaulted and violated the civil rights of people dining at a Colombian restaurant in East Boston.
Authorities arrested Arielle Raso, 37, and her husband Gregory Raso, 39, on Monday evening. Police said the couple called 911 with a noise complaint for the back patio of Tertulias Cafe just before 7 p.m. Officers asked the couple to call back around 11 p.m. if the noise continued, per the city’s ordinance.
Instead, police said the couple took matters into their own hands. Within two hours authorities were called back to the Porter Street address for an assault in progress.
Nearly a dozen people were eating on the back patio which shares a fence with the Raso’s house. Video shows water being sprayed from a hose to the patrons on the other side of the fence. In their police report, authorities said Arielle Raso admitted to doing it. Additionally, prosecutors claim the Raso’s broke a piece of a shared wooden fence and threw it at the victims. One piece hit a 12-year-old.
Police also report that during her arrest, Arielle yelled at the victims, “Get out of this country.” “I will kill you. I don’t give a [expletive].”
Gildardo Preciado has owned Tertulias Cafe for roughly a dozen years. He said he just attained a permit for the outdoor patio last year when he officially purchased the property his restaurant resides in. But he said this aggressive, and in the prosecutor’s view, racist behavior has been going on for years.
“They don’t like Spanish people,” said Preciado. “That’s what they said. But this is a neighborhood full of Latin people. I don’t want to give them a hard time, that is where they live. I understand. It has been almost impossible [to do business] going like this.”
WBZ-TV knocked on the door listed in the police report for the Raso’s. A family member approached and said, “There are two sides to every story,” but would not elaborate.
The Suffolk County District Attorney called the incident, “appalling.” The Raso’s are facing a number of assault and civil rights violation charges. They are due back in court on July 28.
Pittsburg, PA
Man fatally shot by co-worker in Pittsburgh area, police say
A towing company employee fatally shot another employee after a fight on Wednesday evening in Springdale Township, police said.
In a news release, the Allegheny County Police Department said the shooting happened around 5 p.m. at Oak’s Auto/Truck Service on School Street. At the scene, authorities said first responders found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
County police said preliminary information shows that an argument between the two employees escalated into a fight. During the physical confrontation, officials said one employee fatally shot the other. Police did not release any additional details about the shooting, including the names of those involved.
Investigators will consult with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office on whether the shooter will be charged, officials said.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
Connecticut
Rat snake, grey treefrogs spotted in Connecticut
MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A couple of Connecticut wildlife stories that may give you nightmares.
A snake was on a roof in Meriden on Wednesday. D&D Wildlife Control ran into the snake, which is a rat snake, that was looking for a crevice or hole to get into the attic.
Trapper Don Dandelski told News 8 it is quite common for snakes to slither up the side of your house and get inside, but they are harmless.
It is also gray treefrog mating season in Connecticut.
News 8’s Dennis House and Ann Nyberg each had encounters with the frogs. Ann shot the video of loud mating calls of these frogs, and a few days later a frog showed up on Dennis’ door and patio and waved and said hi.
According to the Beardsley Zoo, frogs lay up to 2,000 eggs, laid singly or in small groups, and hatch within five days.
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