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Judicial Watch Investigates if Gov. Christie’s Effort to Extort $300 Mil from Insurance Co. for Addiction Program is Part of Backdoor Deal with Former Chief of Staff

New Jersey Governor Christie gives news conference in Trenton

JUNE 27, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to force the state’s largest health insurance company to dole out $300 million for a drug addiction treatment program for the poor, an egregious cash grab that media outlets call a “shake down” and “extortion.” Judicial Watch has launched an investigation into the Republican governor’s outrageous targeting of a nonprofit healthcare provider, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, that functions as a tax-paying health services corporation with nearly 4 million policyholders.

Here’s some background before getting into the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request filed by Judicial Watch last week; months ago, Christie launched a peculiar campaign to dig into Horizon’s multi-billion-dollar surplus to fund addiction programs as part of an effort to crack down on the state’s opioid epidemic. The unusual plan has encountered fierce opposition from a multitude of sources, including Democrats and Republicans, not to mention Horizon and the insurance industry in general. Christie has kept pushing, insisting that legislation be introduced to force Horizon to fund his dubious addiction experiment. A local newspaper reported that New Jersey Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto refuses to support such a measure, calling it a “bad bill”

The same newspaper article said that “Christie’s push to get some money from Horizon included a news conference on Wednesday to spotlight $15.5 million in citations against Horizon over its Medicaid contract compliance with the state, which the governor says predates his effort to use their surplus. He said the citations show that his proposal, which also includes adding board members and requiring the insurer to post information online, is needed.” However, Christie refused to reveal the citations and when the media tried to obtain them through the Open Public Records Act, the governor’s office asserted that “contractual obligations” prevented the release of the documents. Information involving the mysterious multi-million-dollar fine levied against Horizon is among the records Judicial Watch has requested from the Office of the Governor.

When disclosing the citations didn’t work, Christie threatened to withhold school funding unless state lawmakers pushed through legislation giving him $300 million from Horizon and power to add four political appointees to its board of directors. A local news report said Christie threw “an 11th-hour grenade” into state budget negotiations and called his Horizon cash grab a “raid.” This week a state Senate committee voted to allow the governor to control how much surplus Horizon may keep. “The state could require this extraordinary amount of control because Horizon’s charter would be changed to say it “shall have a charitable mission … to fulfill its obligation as an insurer of last resort in this state,” a local newspaper article states. The Assembly would still have to approve the measure and that seems unlikely according to the speaker’s public comments.

Many wonder what is really driving this issue for Christie. Why is the governor hitting a nonprofit healthcare provider with an excellent rating and modest reserves? Sources with firsthand knowledge of the situation tell Judicial Watch that the real story involves New Jersey insurance magnate George E. Norcross, who is chairman of the board of Cooper University Hospital in Camden and owns a piece of AmeriHealth, a small money-losing New Jersey insurer. Norcross is also Executive Chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, one of the nation’s premier insurance, risk management and employee benefits brokerage and consulting firms. He’s been trying to force Horizon to buy the ailing AmeriHealth firm, sources tell Judicial Watch, but Horizon has refused. Christie’s former chief of staff, Kevin O’Dowd, works for Norcross at Cooper University Hospital. His official title is senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer. Judicial Watch’s public-records request asks for all communications between Christie, his current chief of staff, Amy Cradic, Norcross and O’Dowd concerning Horizon from June 2016 to date. This includes records regarding, concerning, or related to the following: The activities, operations, and/or management of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inc; The activities, operations, and/or management of AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc; The activities, operations, and/or management of Cooper University Hospital and/or Cooper University Health Care; The activities, operations, and/or management of Conner Strong & Buckelew; The $15.5 million fine recently levied against Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inc; Any proposed legislative or regulatory changes that would significantly impact Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inc.’s operations. This includes, but is not limited to, the proposals to alter the composition of the company’s board of directors and to reallocate a portion of the company’s financial reserves for public use.

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Senate Democrats Block Beck’s Bill to Protect Victims of Gender-Based Wage Discrimination

Senate Democrats Block Beck’s Bill to Protect Victims of Gender-Based Wage Discrimination

June 26, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Senate Democrats blocked the consideration of legislation sponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) that would offer financial protections to the victims of gender-based wage discrimination.

Senate Democrats voted to table Sen. Jennifer Beck’s legislation offering financial protections to the victims of gender-based wage discrimination. (SenateNJ.com)

Beck attempted to move her legislation, S-2458, that would protect from taxation any awards or settlements related to claims of unlawful gender-based wage discrimination.

“New Jersey has one of the most aggressive, progressive wage discrimination statutes in the nation,” said Beck. “When such discrimination has been resolved, either through a trial or settlement agreement, our State furthers the victim’s mistreatment through aggressive income taxation of damages that have been awarded. I’m disappointed that Senate Democrats voted against the interests of women today.”

Beck’s motion to relieve S-2458 from the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee where it has languished without hearing was immediately tabled by the Senate Democrats in a party-line 21-16 vote.

“It doesn’t help New Jersey women to have strong pay equity laws on the books if we simply allow the compensation for their mistreatment to be taxed away,” added Beck. “Victims deserve every penny they are awarded for their suffering. Senate Democrats should be ashamed for putting the financial interests of the State over the needs of women who have been victimized.”

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Trump travel ban Reinstated by Supreme Court

Trump
June 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, in a 9-0 decision the Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to go forward with its travel ban from six mostly Muslim countries, In a victory for President Donald Trump , the court said Monday that Trump’s ban on visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen can be enforced if those visitors lack a “credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.” Trump said last week that the ban would take effect 72 hours after being cleared by courts. The justices will hear full arguments in October in the case.

President Donald J. Trump issued the following statement ,”Today’s unanimous Supreme Court decision is a clear victory for our national security.  It allows the travel suspension for the six terror-prone countries and the refugee suspension to become largely effective.

As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm.  I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive.

My number one responsibility as Commander in Chief is to keep the American people safe.  Today’s ruling allows me to use an important tool for protecting our Nation’s homeland.  I am also particularly gratified that the Supreme Court’s decision was 9-0.”

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How the U.S. can win the digital future

ajit-pai-titleII-net-neutrality-secret-viaTwitter

June 22,2017
By AJIT PAI

This week, the White House is hosting a series of meetings between leaders of our economy’s technology sector and administration officials. Dubbed “Tech Week,” these events provide a forum to focus on a critical question: What public sector policies will best spur private sector innovation?

Getting the answer right is vital for our nation’s economic future. Technological innovation opens the door to new industries and platforms, creating jobs and economic growth. The sharing economy, for example, has already given rise to more than a dozen billion-dollar companies, like Airbnb and Lyft. Technology firms currently account for America’s (and the world’s) five most valuable companies.

In order for us to expand prosperity and extend economic opportunity to more Americans, we must remain on the cutting edge. This means that government at all levels must focus on removing barriers to innovation and ensuring that technological advances aren’t strangled by bureaucratic red tape

That’s exactly what we’ve been doing at the Federal Communications Commission this year.

For starters, we’re taking aggressive action to speed the roll-out of next-generation wireless networks. Commonly known as 5G, these new networks promise speeds markedly faster than today’s mobile networks (think about getting gigabit speeds on your smartphone). 5G also promises new applications that will be critical to the development of the “Internet of Things” — that is, a future in which virtually any device can be or is connected to a network. With billions more connected devices, ranging from your car to your appliances, the Internet of Things will impact everything from supply chains to worker productivity. It has the potential to create trillions of dollars in economic value over the next decade.

But to get to the 5G future that will make the Internet of Things fully possible, we’ll need much more infrastructure than what today’s networks demand. 5G will require companies to deploy hundreds of thousands of small cells (operating at lower power), and many more miles of fiber to carry all of the traffic. That’s why the FCC is working on modernizing the rules for that kind of infrastructure. We shouldn’t apply burdensome rules designed for 100-foot towers to small cells the size of a pizza box. If America is to lead the world in 5G, we need to modernize our regulations so that infrastructure can be deployed promptly and at scale.

Another FCC priority has been making the agency more agile and responsive. Bureaucratic inertia can be poison to innovation. That’s why, if an innovator asks the FCC to approve a new technology or service, we’ll make a decision within one year (light-speed by government standards). Federal law already requires the FCC to meet that timeline, but that rule has largely been ignored since its adoption decades ago. Under this administration, those seeking to innovate will no longer need to wait indefinitely for an answer.

Speaking of new technologies, one area where we’re moving quickly is the introduction of the next-generation television standard. This new technical standard is the first one to marry the advantages of broadcasting and the Internet.

Imagine if television stations could offer 4K video, immersive audio, better accessibility features for Americans with disabilities, localized and advanced emergency alerts, and reception on mobile devices.

All of this could be made possible by next-generation television. Our goal is to approve this new standard by the end of the year so that television broadcasters can begin to use it on a voluntary, market-driven basis.

Thanks in part to the administration’s pro-growth policies, there is reason to be optimistic about the state of our economy. Unemployment is at a 16-year low. The stock market is hitting record highs. And, just last week, the Federal Reserve upgraded its forecast for economic growth for 2017.

But we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. To continue creating jobs and growing our economy, we must ensure that regulation and inertia don’t stand in the way of innovation. We’re doing our part at the FCC to make sure that government promotes, rather than inhibits, the technologies of the future.

Ajit Pai is chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

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How to live to 100: Secrets of the world’s healthiest village revealed

Sugar

THEY say a little of what you fancy does you good. But it seems the old adage may be wrong when it comes to living a long and healthy life – unless it’s in strict moderation.

By SARAH WESTCOTT
PUBLISHED: 00:01, Mon, Jun 26, 2017 | UPDATED: 08:02, Mon, Jun 26, 2017

A doctor has revealed the secrets behind the “world’s healthiest village”– and there it all comes down to eating less sugar.

Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra – who describes himself as a former sugar addict – has spent years studying the reasons behind rocketing rates of heart disease and obesity in Britain.

Key to his research were residents of the village of Pioppi, in southern Italy, where diabetes is unheard of and many live to over the age of 100.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/821188/Healthiest-village-revealed-Pioppi-diet-food-live-longer

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Ridgewood Village Council Special Public Meeting and Work Session

Village Council

VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING

JUNE 28, 2017

7:30 P.M.

1. Call to Order – Mayor

2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act

MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided

by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall,

by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”

3. Roll Call

4. RESOLUTIONS

17-170 Award Contract – Infra-red Paving Restoration

17-171 Reject Bids – Central Valet Parking Services

17-172 Authorize Application to the Bergen County Historic Trust Fund – Zabriskie-Schedler House, Phase 2

17-173 Authorize Application to the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund – Turf Field at Maple Park

17-174 Annual Renewal of Liquor Licenses

17-175 Set Public Hearing Date for Settlement Negotiation

5. Adjournment

VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION

THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S

PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA

JUNE 28, 2017

7:30 P.M.

1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor

2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”

3. Roll Call – Village Clerk

4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence

5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)

6. Presentation – Open Space Survey Findings

7. Discussion

a. Ridgewood Water

1.  Award of Contract – Infrared Asphalt Restoration

b. Budget

1. Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant Application

c. Operations

1. Purchase of Property

d. Parking

1. Rebid Central Valet Services

8. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting

9. Special Public Meeting – See At tached Agenda

10. Motion to Adjourn Special Publc Meeting and Reconvene Work Session

11. Discussion (Continued)

a. Ridgewood Water (continued)

1. Lease of Property for Co-Location of Wireless Telecommunications Antennas – Glen Avenue Tank Location

2. Award Contract – Polyphosphate Pumps for Corrosion Control

3. Award Professional Services Contract – Cedar Hill Reservoir Improvements

b. Parking

1. Train Station Parking

2. Update on Parking Garage

3. Clinton Avenue Parking – Safety Concerns

c. Budget

1. Declare Fire Department Equipment Surplus

2. Award Contract Under State Contract – Tires

3. Award Contract Under State Contract – Police Handguns, Holsters, & Magazine Pouches

4. Award Contract Under State Contract – Two Police Patrol SUVs

5. Award Contract Under State Contract – Lifts and Support Stands – Fleet Services

6. Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Front End Loaders with Snowplows

7. Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Two Sanitation Trucks with Snowplows

b. Policy

1. Boards and Committees – Fields Committee

2. Endorse Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Program – The James Rose Center

3. Title 59 Approval – Painting Curbs Yellow

4. Options for Glenwood Road Railroad Crossing

5. Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Tree Protection

6. Garber Square Bike Lane

e. Operations (continued)

1. Appoint Clean Communities Coordinator and Recycling Program Coordinator

2. Municipal Complex Parking Lot Changes

12. Manager’s Report

13. Council Reports

14. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)

15. Resolution to go into Closed Session

16. Closed Session

A. Legal – COAH; Valley Hospital

B. Personnel –

C. Contract Negotiations –

17. Adjournment

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Special Properties Real Estate Services opens a New Office in Ridgewood

Ridgewood Real estate
file photo
June 24,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,Special Properties Real Estate Services  has opened an office on West Ridgewood Avenue. The Real Estate Services company has continue its expansion throughout Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic and Sussex counties. The new Ridgewood office will be located at 50 W. Ridgewood Avenue.

Sonja Cullaro, director of business development for Special Properties Real Estate Services, said. “The establishment of a Ridgewood presence enhances consumer access to our powerhouse real estate operation that combines the global reach of Christie’s with the local personal touch of Special Properties, which has served the region for decades.”

Special Properties,is a Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate, said its new office is located in the heart of Ridgewood’s central business district near the Ridgewood Train station.

Special Properties’ services include local and global print marketing, event marketing, public relations and media campaigns. The firm was started in 1992 in Saddle River.

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Senate Democrats Block Beck/Doherty Sick Leave Reforms

Senate Democrats Block, Beck/Doherty Sick Leave Reforms

Republican Measures Would Address Nearly $2 Billion Property Tax Liability

June 22, 2017

the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Democrats in the New Jersey Senate blocked the consideration of sick leave reforms sponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-11) and Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) that would address a nearly $2 billion liability for property taxpayers.

Senate Democrats tabled Sen. Jennifer Beck’s sick leave reform effort during the Senate session on June 22, 2017. (SenateNJ.com)

Senators Beck and Doherty made motions to relieve S-2947 and S-572 from the committee process for consideration by the full New Jersey Senate.

“We’ve tried repeatedly to put an end to the outrageous six-figure payouts that drive up property tax bills statewide,” said Beck. “Democrats, however, continue to block our reforms that would end this abusive practice and make New Jersey more affordable. To be clear, this is more than a billion dollars of property tax relief that New Jersey Democrats have denied.”

In one recent example of abuse, the retiring police chief of Jersey City was paid $512,620 for 450 unused days.

“No public employee should get a half-million dollar check at taxpayer expense simply because they were blessed with health,” said Doherty. “It’s inexplicable that New Jersey Democrats continue to defend this blatant abuse of property taxpayers.”

Senator Doherty’s S-572 would end the practice known as “terminal leave” when a public employee, in anticipation of retirement, is permitted to use up accumulated days of sick leave. The bill requires a verified medical necessity to use six of more consecutive accumulated sick days in the 12 months prior to retirement.

Senate Democrats blocked consideration of sick leave reform legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Doherty on June 22, 2017. (SenateNJ.com)

Senator Beck’s S-2947 would limit payouts at retirement to $10,000 for accumulated unused sick leave for all public employees, and limit the carrying forward of vacation leave for one year only.

Previous Senate Republican efforts to move sick leave reform legislation were blocked on February 13th and March 13th.

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BAR FIGHT LEADS TO LAWSUIT CLAIMING FOOTBALL FAN’S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS DENIED BY NEW JERSEY BAIL REFORM

ankle_bracelet_theridgewoodblog
Former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement Leads Battle Against Christie Administration
June 23,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.  The case of Holland v. Porrino, et al concerns a Dallas Cowboys football fan involved in a bar fight, who claims he was denied his constitutional right to bail by a New Jersey judge.

32-year-old Brittan Holland was arrested and charged following an argument and fight with a Philadelphia Eagles fan in Winslow Township.  He was subsequently ordered to be released wearing a GPS ankle monitor pending his trial.  However, the suit contends that this action reflects the unlawfulness of New Jersey’s bail reform laws, which took effect on January 1.  Intended to make things more fair for defendants who lack the financial resources to be bailed out, the new system calls for judges to utilize a risk assessment tool to determine whether to hold defendants in jail or release them on a simple promise to appear.

Filed by former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement on behalf of Holland and Lexington National Insurance Corporation, which represents others in Holland’s situation, the suit maintains that New Jersey’s current bail reform laws are illegal.  Clement, widely regarded as one of the greatest constitutional litigators of our time, contends that bail is guaranteed in the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

The defense is led by Attorney General Christopher Porrino, representing Governor Chris Christie’s administration, to which he reports.  Christie was strongly behind the push for New Jersey bail reform when it passed in 2014.

By ordering Holland’s release on the condition that he wear an ankle monitor, Clement’s suit states that he was thus denied the option of bail, to which he should have been legally entitled.

Since taking effect, the state’s new bail laws have been highly controversial, with both law enforcement and victims groups criticizing it as creating a threat to public safety.  Under the former system, which used money bail to create accountability, potentially dangerous defendants were carefully monitored by bail agents after being released.  With the new system, there is little incentive for a person who has been freed from jail to show up for court.

As for Brittan Holland, Clement’s suit claims that under the previous law, he would have very likely “paid a nonexcessive amount of bail to secure his future appearance, likely with the help of a surety company like Plaintiff Lexington National.  He then would have enjoyed his full pre-trial liberty, just like any other presumptively innocent member of society.”  However, because the court never had the option to set bail, Holland’s release was secured through non-monetary conditions, which included the use of an ankle monitor, through which his “liberty is sharply curtailed.”  The suit adds, “he cannot shop for food or basic necessities and cannot take his son to baseball practice”

The plaintiff in this case is bringing three claims against New Jersey bail reform: (1) deprivation of his Eighth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment right to bail by denying his right to bail as an option in the first instance; (2) deprivation of his rights of due process; (3) violation of his Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, as a result of being required to be placed on GPS and other monitoring.

A preliminary injunction motion has been filed, with the court being asked to hear the matter by July 17 – and rule on it in an expedited fashion.  Practically speaking, New Jersey’s bail reform laws could face a court injunction within the next four weeks.  If that occurs, it would entirely derail the new laws and once again, restore monetary bail, within the discretion of a judge, as a required consideration as a first option when it comes to setting bail.

About the American Bail Coalition

The American Bail Coalition is dedicated protecting the Constitutional right to bail and the promotion, protection and advancement of the surety bail profession in the United States. Comprised of the nation’s largest surety insurance companies, ABC works with local communities, law enforcement, legislators and other criminal justice stakeholders to utilizes its expertise and knowledge of the surety bail industry to develop more effective and efficient criminal justice solutions.

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RIDGEWOOD SUMMER DAY CAMP

ridgewood camp
June 22 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Summer Day Camp will again offer a diversified program of swimming, arts and crafts, games, outdoor sports, special events, and trips for Village children entering grades 1 through 6.

The six week program will be conducted weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., beginning Tuesday, June 27th, and ending on Friday, August 4, 2017.  Activities will be held on the grounds of the Stable, The Community Center, Maple Park, Veteran’s Field, Graydon Pool and Leuning Park.  Children are to bring their lunch and beverages.  The cost is $550 per child which includes optional bus transportation from local elementary schools.  All campers must also possess a 2017 Graydon Pool badge.

Please find details by clicking on the Day Camp Parent Manual and be sure to share inportant information with your camper.

Camp registration and Graydon memberships are available through Community Pass at www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass.  The registration deadline for Summer Day Camp is

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Judicial Watch: Obama NSC Advisor Susan Rice’s Unmasking Material is at Obama Library

121128_susan_rice_ap_605

Records Sought by Judicial Watch May Remain Closed to the Public for Five Years

June 22,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, Judicial Watch today announced that the National Security Council (NSC) on May 23, 2017, informed it by letter that the materials regarding the unmasking by Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice of “the identities of any U.S. citizens associated with the Trump presidential campaign or transition team” have been removed to the Obama Library.

The NSC will not fulfill an April 4 Judicial Watch request for records regarding information relating to people “who were identified pursuant to intelligence collection activities.”

The agency also informed Judicial Watch that it would not turn over communications with any Intelligence Community member or agency concerning the alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election; the hacking of DNC computers; or the suspected communications between Russia and Trump campaign/transition officials. Specifically, the NSC told Judicial Watch:

Documents from the Obama administration have been transferred to the Barack Obama Presidential Library.  You may send your request to the Obama Library.  However, you should be aware that under the Presidential Records Act, Presidential records remain closed to the public for five years after an administration has left office.

Judicial Watch’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) April 4 request sought:

1.) Any and all requests for information, analyses, summaries, assessments, transcripts, or similar records submitted to any Intelligence Community member agency or any official, employee, or representative thereof by former National Security Advisor Susan Rice regarding, concerning, or related to the following:

Any actual or suspected effort by the Russian government or any individual acting on behalf of the Russian government to influence or otherwise interfere with the 2016 presidential election.
The alleged hacking of computer systems utilized by the Democratic National Committee and/or the Clinton presidential campaign.
Any actual or suspected communication between any member of the Trump presidential campaign or transition team and any official or employee of the Russian government or any individual acting on behalf of the Russian government.
The identities of U.S. citizens associated with the Trump presidential campaign or transition team who were identified pursuant to intelligence collection activities.

2.) Any and all records or responses received by former National Security Advisor Susan Rice and/or any member, employee, staff member, or representative of the National Security Council in response to any request described in part 1 of this request.

3.) Any and all records of communication between any official, employee, or representative of the Department of any Intelligence Community member agency and former National Security Advisor Susan Rice and/or any member, employee, staff member, or representative of the National Security Council regarding, concerning, or related to any request described in Part 1 of this request.

The time frame for this request was January 1, 2016, to the April 4, 2017.

While acknowledging  in its FOIA request that “we are cognizant of the finding by the Court of Appeals … that [the NSC] “does not exercise sufficiently independent authority to be an ‘agency’ for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act,” Judicial Watch argued:

The records sought in this request pertain to actions by the former National Security Advisor that demonstrate a much higher degree of independent authority than was contemplated by the court; specifically, the issuance of directives to the Intelligence Community related to the handling of classified national security information…

The recent revelations of the role of Susan Rice in the unmasking the names of U.S. citizens identified in the course of intelligence collection activities and the potential that her actions contributed to the unauthorized disclosure of classified national security information are matters of great public interest.

Judicial Watch has filed six FOIA lawsuits related to the surveillance, unmasking, and illegal leaking targeting President Trump and his associates (see here, here, here, here, here and here).

“Prosecutors, Congress, and the public will want to know when the National Security Council shipped off the records about potential intelligence abuses by the Susan Rice and others in the Obama White House to the memory hole of the Obama Presidential Library,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.  “We are considering our legal options but we hope that the Special Counsel and Congress also consider their options and get these records.”

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NJ student says superintendent too biased to investigate Trump yearbook flap

make america great again

By Dan Alexander June 21, 2017 4:07 PM

WALL — One of the students whose yearbook pictures were censored in order to remove Donald Trump refernces is calling for an independent investigation, saying that the district superintendent cannot be trusted because she once posted an anti-Trump article to the district website.

Superintendent Cheryl Dyer call the accusation an affront to her “personally and professionally.”

Wyatt Dobrovich-Fago told the township Board of Education on Tuesday that he wants an independent investigation into the deletion of the logos from his sweater vest and from the T-shirt worn by junior Grant Berardo, according to a News 12 New Jersey report.  A Trump quotation submitted by Wyatt’s sister, freshman class president Montana, also was omitted.

The yearbook alterations caused a local stir and made national headlines.

Read More: NJ student says superintendent too biased to investigate Trump yearbook flap | https://nj1015.com/nj-student-says-superintendent-too-biased-to-investigate-trump-yearbook-flap/?trackback=tsmclip

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IRS Warns of New Phone Scam Involving Bogus Certified Letters

IRS_logo

IRS Warns of New Phone Scam Involving Bogus Certified Letters; Reminds People to Remain Vigilant Against Scams, Schemes this Summer

IR-2017-107, June 15, 2017

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today warned people to beware of a new scam linked to the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), where fraudsters call to demand an immediate tax payment through a prepaid debit card. This scam is being reported across the country, so taxpayers should be alert to the details.

In the latest twist, the scammer claims to be from the IRS and tells the victim about two certified letters purportedly sent to the taxpayer in the mail but returned as undeliverable. The scam artist then threatens arrest if a payment is not made through a prepaid debit card. The scammer also tells the victim that the card is linked to the EFTPS system when, in fact, it is entirely controlled by the scammer. The victim is also warned not to contact their tax preparer, an attorney or their local IRS office until after the tax payment is made.

“This is a new twist to an old scam,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Just because tax season is over, scams and schemes do not take the summer off. People should stay vigilant against IRS impersonation scams. People should remember that the first contact they receive from IRS will not be through a random, threatening phone call.”

EFTPS is an automated system for paying federal taxes electronically using the Internet or by phone using the EFTPS Voice Response System. EFTPS is offered free by the U.S. Department of Treasury and does not require the purchase of a prepaid debit card. Since EFTPS is an automated system, taxpayers won’t receive a call from the IRS. In addition, taxpayers have several options for paying a real tax bill and are not required to use a specific one.

Tell Tale Signs of a Scam:

The IRS (and its authorized private collection agencies) will never:

Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. All tax payments should only be made payable to the U.S. Treasury and checks should never be made payable to third parties.
Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

For anyone who doesn’t owe taxes and has no reason to think they do:

Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page. Alternatively, call 800-366-4484.
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the FTC Complaint Assistant on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

For anyone who owes tax or thinks they do:

View your tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount you owe. You can then also review your payment options.
Call the number on the billing notice, or
Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help.

The IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. For more information, visit the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax scams is available on IRS social media sites, including YouTube videos.

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Will N.J. lose $600M in federal transit funds by missing a deadline?

Ridgewood-Trainstation1_theridgewoodblog

Updated on June 20, 2017 at 8:55 AMPosted on June 20, 2017 at 8:45 AM

BY JONATHAN D. SALANT

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

WASHINGTON — New Jersey could lose $600 million in federal transit funds if it doesn’t meet a federal deadline for setting up a rail safety oversight program.

The state is in the first stage of putting the program in place, according to a progress report released Monday by the Federal Transit Administration. Without a certified program, the state could no longer receive federal funding for transit.

“States need to realize timely action is critical,” FTA Executive Director Matthew Welbes said.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/could_600m_in_federal_transit_funds_be_at_risk.html

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Franklin Police Claim Over $30,000 In Precious Stones Were Stolen From Franklin Mineral Museum

Franklin Museum

June 20, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Franklin N.J. , Franklin Police are searching for gem thieves who ransacked the Franklin Mineral Museum a geology museum in Sussex County .The thieves made off with thousands of dollars worth of precious stones.

The zinc mining district of Franklin is known world-wide for an abundance of fluorescent and rare minerals. The Museum exhibits fluorescent, local and world-wide minerals, artifacts, fossils, and a safe two level mine replica.

According to Franklin police the early morning break in at  4:40 a.m. Monday, the thieves broke in through a second story widow, ransacked shelves and displays and smashed cabinets.

Police said the suspects stole over $30,000 in precious stones, gems and minerals.

Interestingly investigators said there appears to have been an injury to one of the burglars. The glass apparently cut at least one of the burglars, leaving a trail of blood.

Franklin police are asking anyone with information about the break-in or if anyone has noticed someone with an unusual laceration to contact Detective Daniel Flora at 862-273-5170 or Detective Sergeant Mattessich at 862-268-1401.