Regional Briefs – June 26, 2018

Man Forged Will, Made Himself Sole Beneficiary

OYSTER BAY, N.Y. – A man pleaded guilty Monday to forging a dead tenant’s will and naming himself the sole beneficiary of her $1.2 million in assets, Newsday reported. John Derounian, 53, found the body of his tenant Marilyn Mosberg-Shapiro, 77, in 2015. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Union of State Employees Endorse Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY – A powerful public employees union on Monday endorsed Gov. Andrew Cuomo, four years after withholding its support, The Associated Press reported. The Civil Service Employees Association says Cuomo has stood up to “greedy corporate interests” out to destroy the nation’s labor unions.

Where’s the Wolf? Stolen From Animal Preserve

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. – A hybrid wolf not known to be aggressive to people was targeted for theft overnight Sunday from a Long Island animal preserve, The Associated Press reported. The 7-year-old wolf-dog named Nakita was stolen while other animals were left behind.

Counterfeiter Posed as ATF Agent to Sell Fake Coins

CAMDEN, N.J. – A man pleaded guilty Monday to posing as a federal agent to put his victims at ease as he sold them counterfeit precious metals, The Associated Press reported. Jonathan Kirschner, 34, faces up to 18 years in prison.

Board Denies Utility’s Bid for Power Line Along Rail Tracks

TRENTON – New Jersey regulators on Friday rejected an attempt by JCP&L to build a power transmission line alongside rail tracks in Monmouth County, The Associated Press reported. A judge had opined that using the right of way rail line was untested.