RyeCity REVIEW THE
July 07, 2023 | Vol. 10, Number 27 | www.ryecityreview.com
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND! Shashank Alladi of the NY Empire defends a pass against the DC Breeze on June 30. The Empire topped their division rivals 21-18. For story, see page 8. Photo/Mike Smith
Six indicted in $2M real estate fraud scheme Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced that six individuals and a corporation were indicted for defrauding distressed homeowners by stealing the property deeds to Westchester homes and fraudulently obtaining $2 million in loans. The defendants—including licensed realtors and an attorney—were also charged with evading a combined total of nearly $200,000 in state taxes. DA Rocah said: “Deed theft schemes exploit the most vulnerable and can have lasting housing and financial impacts to families. My office will seek to hold the defendants accountable for allegedly stealing titles to victims’ homes while pretending to help them.” As alleged in the indictments, the defendants targeted three residential properties facing bankruptcy or foreclosure— two in New Rochelle and one in Yonkers valued in total at nearly $2.5 million. Owners for two of the properties believed they were receiving mortgage assistance when they signed over to the defendants
the deeds to their homes at a closing. The third property, which was in bankruptcy proceedings, was acquired in a short sale and two of the defendants allegedly moved in and occupied that home as their primary residence. The defendants were charged with forging financial statements and filing false tax documents to obtain $1.5 million in short-term “fix and flip” loans for the properties before defaulting on those mortgages, and also securing a $500,000 COVID relief small business loan. The homeowners who were expecting a refinanced mortgage faced eviction or were pushed out of their home. The District Attorney identified the defendants as: licensed real estate broker Marcia Campbell, 61, of New Rochelle, and her husband, a licensed real estate salesperson, Fred Campbell, 64, of New Rochelle; licensed attorney Anthony Chilliest, 53, of New York City; Gerald Smith, 48, of Elmsford; Wayne Green, 48, of Lynbrook, N.Y.; Frank Palmer, 66, of the Bronx; and Campal Corp.
Marcia and Fred Campbell, Chilliest, Smith and Green were arrested and arraigned on June 21 and Palmer was arrested and arraigned on June 29. A Westchester County Grand Jury charged the defendants across multiple indictments that include: • Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree • Grand Larceny in the First Degree • Grand Larceny in the Second Degree • Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree • Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree • Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree • Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree • Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fifth Degree • Repeated Failure to File a Corporate Tax Return Bail was set for Marcia and Frank Campbell, Chilliest, Smith and Palmer.
New Rochelle launches train station ‘Commute-a ti’ program To enhance convenience, enjoyment and community engagement at the train station, the city of New Rochelle is thrilled to launch “Commute-a ti,” an innovative program and experience for both residents and visitors. Highlighting local businesses and talent, Commute-a ti is a multi-faceted and diverse array of activations that will enhance and fill this historic space during peak travel hours multiple times each month from June through the end of September. Commute-a ti kicked off this month and features: -Morning coffee, every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-9:30 a.m. at pop-up cafés, with steaming coffee from local purveyors rotating monthly beginning with Casaroma for the months of June and July and continuing with neighborhood favorites. -Afternoon flowers, food and fun. On the second and fourth Thursdays from 3:30-7:30 p.m., commuters will have the opportunity to bring home fresh bouquets, a culinary treat or artisan-made wares from New Rochelle and Westchester local businesses that will rotate each month. The shopping experience on June 22 features fragrant blossoms from Araceli Flowers, delicious cookies and warm delights from The Draper Baker, exquisite jewelry and candles from Wynnen – and much more! Upcoming dates are July 13 and 27, and Aug. 10 and 24. -Exciting collaborations: A carousel of community-based programming, from informative installations to the works of local artists, will be on display at each activation, starting with an exhibit from New Rochelle High School Senior AP Art students. The busiest stop on the Metro-North New Haven line and the only Amtrak station stop along the Sound Shore, New Rochelle’s train station is a prominent regional attraction, a true gem for the entire community. In May, the city announced a partnership with FXCollaborative to re-envision the entire transit
center, with aesthetic upgrades and improved walkability, pedestrian flow and bicycle access. The Commute-a ti popups are the first of many activations planned for the site. “Beyond its vital importance as a transit center and gateway, our train station has the potential to serve as a true community hub,” said Mayor Noam Bramson. “Through this creative initiative, we hope to make the daily commute more enjoyable, while also inviting all residents to shop, appreciate local artisans, or just have a great cup of coffee.” “As we launch the Commute-a ti program in New Rochelle, we are not only enhancing the daily commute experience, but we are also driving economic development and growth within our city,” said Adam Salgado, deputy city manager and development commissioner. “The platform we are creating for local businesses, makers, and artists gives them opportunities to thrive and will be a catalyst for future innovation.” “Commute-a ti brings much-needed amenities to commuters and travelers, and elevates the train station as a welcoming space for connections and gathering,” said City Manager Kathleen Gill. “This activation is typical of what we envision for the station and the transit center as we begin the design process for its transformation.” “A clever play on words, Commute-a ti (pronounced “community”) represents the meaningful link between the community and its commuters,” said Melissa Panszi Riebe, consultant and coordinator for the activation. “It incorporates the Spanish phrasing “a ti” meaning “and you”, to welcome everyone who makes their way through the New Rochelle train station during their daily ongoings and business with a unique experience that will brighten their day.” To learn more about the Commute-a ti program and upcoming events at the train station visit www. newrochelleny.com/events