Press Release - Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE - CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS REGARDING TAX PREPARERS

Taxpayers who use the services of paid tax preparers are entitled to protection from unfair treatment, according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs (340-3260).

While most tax preparers act within the law and treat their clients fairly, there are some that don’t. The Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers describes your rights and contains important information about how to protect yourself from unfair practices. This publication is available from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website at www.tax.ny.gov, or call 518-457-5181.

Press Release - Durwin Ennist

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE - DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES -  KINGSTON MAN  SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF MINOR

Durwin Ennist, AKA “Charms”, 34, of 380 Boulevard, Kingston, was sentenced Tuesday, February 23, 2016, in Ulster County Court by County Court Judge Donald A. Williams for his conviction to Rape in the Second Degree.  Ennist received a sentence of five years in prison and ten years post-release supervision.  He will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for at least twenty years.  Additionally, a full “Stay Away” Order of Protection was issued for the victim until 2039.  Ennist was also ordered to pay $1,425.00 in court fees.

The case stems from an incident where the defendant, Ennist, engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, 14, at 121 Clinton Ave., City of Kingston, on January 1, 2015, in the early morning hours. 

The defendant was represented by Mariann Connolly, Esq. of Kingston,New York.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney, Joey Drillings.

 

Press Release - Maureen Leggett Plea

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2015

RE: PRESS RELEASE – MAUREEN LEGGETT

Maureen Leggett, 53, from Red Hook, pled guilty on Friday, February 19, 2016 in County Court to the class D felony of grand larceny in the third degree.  

Leggett working as a bookkeeper in charge of financial matters for a local business in Ulster Park stole a total of $155,594.00 over a period from January 23, 2013 to April 6, 2015.  Leggett’s criminal pattern included unlawful use of the business credit card, of the owner’s personal credit card, unlawfully writing checks and depositing the stolen monies into her husband’s account. This is the defendant’s third felony arrest for Grand Larceny and Falsifying Business Records. She was convicted in both 2006 and 2009 for similar schemes.  

Leggett is scheduled to be sentenced in Ulster County Court on April 22, 2016. She faces up to 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Mila Schutzman.  Leggett is represented by Mitch Spinac, Esq. and Carol Morgan, Esq. of Kingston. 

Press Release - Tonya Valk Sentence

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE – TONYA VALK SENTENCE

Tonya Valk, 45, from Saugerties, was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison and ordered to pay restitution totaling $227,904.00 for her conviction to the charge of Grand Larceny in the third degree.

Valk’s charges stem from when she was working as a bookkeeper of an Ulster County business in charge of financial matters, including payroll, from January 1, 2008 to May 11, 2013.  Valk’s criminal pattern included forging checks and padding her salary with unauthorized increases. She was able to hide her embezzlement for years by generating false banks statements which she submitted to the company’s partners.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Mila Schutzman.  Valk is represented by Jeremiah Flaherty, Esq. of Kerhonkson. 

Press Release - Junk Faxes

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE – JUNK FAXES

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Junk Fax Prevention Act prohibit most unsolicited fax advertisements, according the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs

FCC rules prohibit sending unsolicited advertisements to any fax machine – both businesses and residences – without the recipient’s prior express invitation or permission. Fax advertisements may be sent to recipients with whom the sender has an established business relationship (ERB), as long as the fax number was provided voluntarily by the recipient. A fax advertisement may be sent to an ERB customer if the sender also:

·        Obtains the fax number directly from the recipient through an application, contact information form or membership renewal form;

·        Or obtains the fax number from the recipient’s own directory, advertisement or site on the Internet, unless the recipient has noted on such materials that it does not accept unsolicited advertisements at the fax number in question;

·        Or has taken reasonable steps to verify that the recipient consented to have the number listed, if obtained from a directory or other source of information compiled by a third party.

·         

If the sender had an ERB with the recipient and possessed the recipient’s fax number before July 9, 2005 (the date the Junk Fax Prevention Act became law), the sender may send the fax advertisements without demonstrating how the number was obtained.

Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.