Regional Briefs – November 24, 2014

Tragedy: Dad Errantly Kills Son While Hunting

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – In a tragic accident, a father on Saturday mistakenly shot and killed his 45-year-old son during a hunting trip in New Jersey. A similar accident occurred the same day in East New York, where a father was cleaning his gun when it accidentally discharged, injuring his 9-month-old daughter.

Ex-Newark Staffer Ran Birth Certificate Scheme

NEWARK – A former Newark city employee on Friday pleaded guilty to producing fraudulent New Jersey birth certificates that were later sold by a co-conspirator, The Associated Press reported. Cory Cooke, who worked in the Office of Vital Statistics, faces up to 15 years in prison.

Cop Shot at Own Cruiser To Fake Crime Scene

CAMDEN, N.J. – A New Jersey police officer who had radioed in to headquarters that he had been fired upon is now accused of using his police gun to shoot at his own cruiser, The Associated Press reported. Da’Shaun Carr, 23, shot a hole in his windshield on Oct. 3, but police did not uncover any crime after a search.

Lawyer of Bin Laden Son-in-law Jailed for Tax Evasion

SYRACUSE – An attorney for Osama bin Laden’s convicted terrorist son-in-law on Friday was sentenced to 18 months in prison on federal tax charges, The Associated Press reported. Stanley Cohen failed to file tax returns for six years, but said the prosecution was payback for defending Sulaiman Abu Ghaith.

Cuomo Seeks Ouster of Official for 1-Gallon Spill

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is seeking the permanent dismissal of an environmental official at Lake George over his failure to report the spill of a single gallon of gas, The Post-Star reported. Dave Wick was removed over the small spill by a boat at a fueling site this summer.

Republicans Reelect Leaders to NY legislature

ALBANY – The top Republicans in the state Senate and Assembly were re-elected, with Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb set to head the GOP. The 150-member Assembly is led by Democratic Speaker Sheldon Silver.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the November 24th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.