Union City-based real estate developer indicted
Moshe “Michael” Altman, a Union City-based real estate developer, was indicted last week on 41 counts of money laundering and corruption offenses.
The announcement from U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said that Altman, 39, of Monsey, N.Y., and alleged co-conspirators Shimon Haber, 34, of Brooklyn, and Itzhak Friedlander, 42, of Union City, allegedly turned approximately $668,000 in dirty checks into cash through purported charitable, non-profit entities.
According to the indictment, one of the purported charities, Gmach Shefa Chaim, accepted deposits from its clients and then re-deposited the money into accounts that it maintained in its own name at Valley National Bank in Union City. The indictment further alleges that most of the laundering transactions occurred at a business on Central Avenue in Union City that Altman maintained.
The indictment also charges Altman with participating in a scheme to bribe a Jersey City official, John Guarini, 60, with $20,000 in cash to obtain approvals on real estate projects that a cooperating witness purportedly planned to develop. (Guarini was indicted last month.)
This recent indictment stems from the undercover FBI political corruption and international money laundering investigation which resulted in charges against 44 individuals last July, including many from Hudson County.
WNY students present nearly $10K for Haitian relief to United Way
Students of the West New York school district rallied together following the tragic events in Haiti to raise money for disaster relief. Through various fundraisers such as selling healthy snacks and dress-down days for students and teachers, money was collected from every school in West New York.
Along with Mayor Sal Vega, they presented a representative of the United Way with checks totaling near $10,000 Wednesday at West New York Public School 2.
Fourth annual New Jersey Hall of Fame essay contest announced
The New Jersey Hall of Fame is calling for entries to its fourth annual essay contest, which is open to all New Jersey students in grades four through 12.
Students are asked to nominate potential inductees, living or dead, to the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Nominations can include famous people as well as ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things. Students should research or interview the person they wish to nominate and write an essay no longer than 500 words.
Essays must be typed and double-spaced. The student must include his/her name, age, grade level as of April 1, 2010, address, phone number, parent/guardian’s name, school name, and school district.
Each winning student and three guests will be invited as VIP guests to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on May 2 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. The winners will also receive $500 from the NJHOF.
Nominations must be postmarked by April 1 to be eligible and mailed to: NJ Hall of Fame Essay Contest, NJEA, Attn: Dawn Hiltner, PO Box 1211, Trenton, NJ 08607-1211.
For more information about the Hall of Fame, visit www.NJHallofFame.org.
Correction
In last week’s article on red light cameras, the job title of Alberto Bringa was incorrectly printed as the West New York Police Chief. Alberto Bringa is the West New York Police Director.
‘Lincoln’s Bloody Flag’ highlights 145th dinner celebration
The Lincoln Association of Jersey City will be showcasing “Lincoln’s Bloody Flag” at their 145th Dinner celebration on Feb. 12 at the Casino in the Park Restaurant in Lincoln Park, Jersey City, marking the end of the 200th Anniversary Year of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth.
The evening Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, this flag was torn from its perch to prop the president’s head and stem the bleeding. Stained with Lincoln’s blood, this famous flag permanently resides at the Pike County Historical Society, Milford, Pa., but will be making a trip east to Jersey City for the celebrations of the day.
Tickets for the dinner are $60 in advance or $70 at the door. They include entry to the exhibit, dinner and the evening’s entertainment, and there is a cash bar. Advance tickets can be purchased from President Suzann McKiernan Anderson by emailing khgallery@aol.com or calling 201-892-3123.