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Investment

$4.2M In Fake Oil Deals, Crypto Scam Lands Former Rockville Lawyer Behind Bars In Fraud Case $4.2M In Fake Oil Deals, Crypto Scam Lands Former Rockville Lawyer Behind Bars In Fraud Case
$4.2M In Fake Oil Deals, Crypto Scam Lands Former Rockville Lawyer Behind Bars In Fraud Case A former lawyer in Maryland who went by many names while orchestrating a $4.2 million fraud scheme and betraying her “position of trust” is heading to prison. Sari Kurland, also known as Sari Bloch, 65, was sentenced in Montgomery County Circuit Court to 80 years in prison, with all but 13 years suspended for her role in a years-long scheme during which she stole from nearly two dozen victims. According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, between May 2022 and September 2024, Kurland carried out three fraudulent schemes involving theft and the misappropriation of funds. The s…
Hackensack BOE Races To Pass $169M Budget As 100+ Employees Face Layoffs Hackensack BOE Races To Pass $169M Budget As 100+ Employees Face Layoffs
Hackensack BOE Races To Pass $169M Budget As 100+ Employees Face Layoffs Hackensack school officials are expected to vote Wednesday, May 6, on a proposed $169 million budget as the district faces more than 100 staffing cuts and a growing financial crisis. The special Board of Education meeting was scheduled ahead of a May 7 state deadline to approve and submit the district’s 2026-27 budget. The district’s financial problems surfaced publicly over the past several months during a series of tense board meetings focused on layoffs, spending cuts, and emergency borrowing plans. At a March 25 special meeting, district officials discussed plans to eliminate about 100…
Popular Bergen County Shopping Center Sold For First Time In Decades Popular Bergen County Shopping Center Sold For First Time In Decades
Popular Bergen County Shopping Center Sold For First Time In Decades A major Bergen County shopping center that draws more than 4 million visitors a year has been sold in a high-profile real estate deal, officials announced. Wafra Inc., a $30 billion New York City-based global investment manager, announced the acquisition of Interstate Shopping Center, a 348,000-square-foot grocery-anchored retail property in Ramsey. Funds advised by Wafra partnered with New Jersey-based Crossroads Companies in a joint venture to purchase the property, officials said. CBRE arranged the partnership between the two firms, while Axiom Capital arranged the acquisition loan,…
Bergen County Shopping Center Anchored By Stop & Shop Part Of $115M Grocery Sale Bergen County Shopping Center Anchored By Stop & Shop Part Of $115M Grocery Sale
Bergen County Shopping Center Anchored By Stop & Shop Part Of $115M Grocery Sale A Bergen County shopping center anchored by a Stop & Shop is part of a $115 million multi-state sale of grocery-anchored retail properties. JLL Capital Markets secured the sale of a seven-property portfolio that includes Lewandowski Commons in Lyndhurst, along with properties in Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. The portfolio totals approximately 558,000 square feet and is nearly fully leased, with 99.6% occupancy across all properties, officials said. The centers are anchored by major grocery chains, including Publix, Kroger, and Stop & Shop, and have strong sales performance…
Newly Minted Millionaire: Shrewsbury Woman Knows How She'll Spend $1M Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Shrewsbury Woman Knows How She'll Spend $1M Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Shrewsbury Woman Knows How She'll Spend $1M Payday A Shrewsbury woman this week landed a $1 million jackpot in the Massachusetts State Lottery, and she has a prudent plan for her payday.  Colleen Sweet won the seven-figure payout in the lottery's “$2,000,000 50X Cashword" ticket, a $10 scratch-off game. A million-dollar and a $2.5 million grand prize ticket remain in circulation.  Sweet chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity, which would have paid the full amount over 20 years in annual payments.  She said she plans to buy a home and invest the cash.  Sweet bought the tick…
TEDx To Tax Evasion: PA Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account TEDx To Tax Evasion: PA Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account
TEDx To Tax Evasion: PA Vertical Farming Visionary Jack Griffin Funnels Cash To Wife's Account Jack Griffin told the world he was building the future of farming. He gave a TEDx Talk. He stood before Congress. He promised to wipe out food deserts with high-tech vertical farms that could grow strawberries on a second floor and turn kale into jet fuel. But federal investigators say Griffin was really just pocketing. And now he’s headed to prison, the FBI announced on Monday, Feb. 2. The Sentence Jack Frances “Jack” Griffin, 62, of Philadelphia, faced up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and five years for tax evasion. His sentencing was originally scheduled for Oct. 22,…
Election Day 2025: Key Races To Watch Across Albany County Election Day 2025: Key Races To Watch Across Albany County
Election Day 2025: Key Races To Watch Across Albany County It’s Election Day across the Capital Region, and voters from Albany to Saratoga Springs are heading to the polls to decide pivotal local races that will shape leadership, budgets, and community priorities for the next four years.  Albany County Albany Mayor One of the region’s most closely watched races is for Mayor of Albany, where Democrat Dorcey Applyrs faces Republican Rocco Pezzulo. Applyrs, who won a decisive Democratic primary in June, has campaigned on investing in “forgotten neighborhoods,” improving quality of life, and collaborating with residents on key issues like public …
Nassau Cop Stole $200K From Sick Colleague, Blew It On OnlyFans, Gambling: DA Nassau Cop Stole $200K From Sick Colleague, Blew It On OnlyFans, Gambling: DA
Nassau Cop Stole $200K From Sick Colleague, Blew It On OnlyFans, Gambling: DA A Nassau County police officer is accused of stealing $200,000 from a fellow officer recovering from illness and spending it on personal expenses. Leonard Cagno, 39, of Oakdale, was arraigned on grand larceny charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Cagno, a Nassau County police officer and owner of BW Media Consulting, LLC, allegedly convinced another officer to invest $200,000 in his private company between February and June 2024, prosecutors said. He allegedly claimed the money would be used as a business investment but instead spent the funds on personal expenses.  …
‘Mr. Lion Grass’ Just Got $1M Greener As Baltimore County Man Wins Powerball Prize ‘Mr. Lion Grass’ Just Got $1M Greener As Baltimore County Man Wins Powerball Prize
‘Mr. Lion Grass’ Just Got $1M Greener As Baltimore County Man Wins Powerball Prize Maryland just minted its newest millionaire — and he goes by the name "Mr. Lion Grass." The Baltimore man with the colorful nickname claimed a $1,000,004 Powerball prize after playing his usual weekly numbers, Maryland Lottery officials announced. “Mr. Lion Grass” said he always budgets a little cash for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, and when the jackpot climbed over $1 billion earlier this month, he decided to make a few extra plays. That paid off in a big way.  His ticket for the Sept. 3 drawing matched all five white balls on one combination for a $1 million win, plus the P…
Brewster's Million: Mass Man Scores $1M Lottery Jackpot Brewster's Million: Mass Man Scores $1M Lottery Jackpot
Brewster's Million: Mass Man Scores $1M Lottery Jackpot A Brewster man said he knows how he'll spend his winnings after landing a $1 million jackpot in the Massachusetts State Lottery.  Steven Enos won the payday playing the $20 scratch-off game "$10,000,000 Premier Cash.” He chose to take the one-time payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  Enos plans to buy himself a new truck, take his family on vacation, and invest the rest of the money.  He bought the winning ticket at Cumberland Farms, 4460 State Hwy #6 in Eastham. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for the sale. 
Hoboken Billionaire Named To Forbes 400 List Of Richest Americans Hoboken Billionaire Named To Forbes 400 List Of Richest Americans
Hoboken Billionaire Named To Forbes 400 List Of Richest Americans Four New Jersey residents have secured spots on Forbes’ 400 Richest People in America for 2025.  Elon Musk topped the overall list with a net worth of $428 billion, but the Garden State had strong representation across industries from hedge funds to technology. John Overdeck, 55, of Short Hills and cofounder of investing powerhouse Two Sigma, ranked highest among New Jersey’s billionaires at No. 172 with a net worth of $8 billion. He is the cofounder of Two Sigma, a quantitative investing firm managing $60 billion in assets. Rocco Commisso, 75, of Saddle River, the CEO of Mediacom, ca…
These Are Key Factors In Making Big Decisions, Survey Finds These Are Key Factors In Making Big Decisions, Survey Finds
These Are Key Factors In Making Big Decisions, Survey Finds A new national survey shows Americans rely on more than spreadsheets when making big life choices. The survey was conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Life Happens for Life Insurance Awareness Month. The poll of 2,000 US adults, evenly split by generation, finds seven in 10 base major decisions on nontraditional cues such as intuition (36 percent), prayer (29 percent), and general vibes (19 percent).  Most stand by those calls: 71 percent reported no regrets tied to choices made this way. Those signals are steering concrete moves.  Respondents said they used them to choose…
Stamford Investor Stole $34M For Luxury Life In Brazil, Now He’s Going to Prison: DOJ Stamford Investor Stole $34M For Luxury Life In Brazil, Now He’s Going to Prison: DOJ
Stamford Investor Stole $34M For Luxury Life In Brazil, Now He’s Going to Prison: DOJ A Stamford man who ran a phony Greenwich hedge fund and lived in luxury hotels in Brazil with stolen investor money has been sentenced to federal prison, authorities said.  Justin C. Murphy, 50, was ordered to serve four and a half years behind bars and three years of supervised release for operating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme, the US Attorney for Connecticut Said.   US District Judge Victor A. Bolden also ordered him to pay more than $3.7 million in restitution. Federal prosecutors said Murphy owned and operated Greenwich-based Mara Investment Group, LLC, which he …
Final Victim ID'd In NYC's Deadliest Shooting In 25 Years Final Victim ID'd In NYC's Deadliest Shooting In 25 Years
Final Victim ID'd In NYC's Deadliest Shooting In 25 Years tA security officer working in the lobby of one of midtown Manhattan's most prestigious skyscrapers has been the final victim identified following the deadliest shooting in New York City in 25 years. Aland Etienne was ID'd as one of four people shot and killed by a gunman who took his own life during the rampage. Union 32BJ described the 46-year-old Etienne him as a "New York hero" in announcing the news of his death on Tuesday, July 29.  The incident happened early Wednesday evening, July 28, on the 33rd floor at 345 Park Ave., which includes the NFL headquarters.…
27-Year-Old Cornell Grad ID'd As One Of Those Killed In NYC Mass Shooting 27-Year-Old Cornell Grad ID'd As One Of Those Killed In NYC Mass Shooting
27-Year-Old Cornell Grad ID'd As One Of Those Killed In NYC Mass Shooting A second civilian victim has been identified after the deadliest shooting in New York City in a quarter of a century. Julia Hyman, a 2020 Cornell University graduate, was an associate at the Rudin Real Estate Company, located on the 33rd floor at 345 Park Ave., which includes the NFL headquarters. The incident happened early Wednesday evening, July 28. Click here for a new, updated story: Final Victim ID'd In NYC Mass Shooting Wesley LePatner, an executive at global investment firm Blackstone and a mother of two, had earlier been identified as another one of the civilians kill…
Spirit Reportedly Furloughing, Demoting Pilots Amid Post-Bankruptcy Struggles Spirit Reportedly Furloughing, Demoting Pilots Amid Post-Bankruptcy Struggles
Spirit Reportedly Furloughing, Demoting Pilots Amid Post-Bankruptcy Struggles Spirit Airlines is cutting hundreds of pilot jobs for the second time in two years, according to reports. Spirit will furlough 270 pilots and downgrade 140 captains, CNBC reported. The move is part of the carrier's continued effort to stabilize its finances after bankruptcy. The furloughs take effect Saturday, Nov. 1, with the demotions scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1. "We are taking necessary steps to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible as part of our efforts to return to profitability," Spirit told CNBC. Both moves aim to align staffing with a slimmer flight schedule durin…
GM Suffers $1.1B Hit Because Of Trump's Tariffs GM Suffers $1.1B Hit Because Of Trump's Tariffs
GM Suffers $1.1B Hit Because Of Trump's Tariffs General Motors had a $1 billion hit over three months due to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs that have shaken the auto industry. GM reported a net income of $1.9 billion for the second quarter of 2025, down by about $1.1 billion from Q2 2024. Revenue slipped 1.8% to $47.1 billion. The automaker's North American operations were hit hardest, with profits falling nearly 46%. GM previously lowered its full-year outlook in May to account for a projected $4 billion to $5 billion tariff hit, which didn't change in the Q2 earnings report. Chief financial officer Paul …
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Worcester Winner Has Smart Plans For Big Win $1M Lottery Jackpot: Worcester Winner Has Smart Plans For Big Win
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Worcester Winner Has Smart Plans For Big Win A Worcester man said he'll do the sensible thing after winning $1 million in the Massachusetts State Lottery.   Mark DuBois won the seven-figure payday playing the $10 scratch-off game “$4,000,000 Cash King Doubler." Related: Fitchburg Man Wins $1M Lottery Jackpot Twice — In Same Drawing DuBois chose the lump sum of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity, which would have paid out the full amount over 20 years.  He plans to invest his winnings.  Dubois bought the ticket at Brattle Stop Pizza, 1 Brattle St. in Worcester. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for …
$1 Million Fraud: Union City Man Scammed Elderly Victims With Phony Investment Scheme $1 Million Fraud: Union City Man Scammed Elderly Victims With Phony Investment Scheme
$1 Million Fraud: Union City Man Scammed Elderly Victims With Phony Investment Scheme A 60-year-old Union City man was arrested and charged with scamming elderly people out of more than $1 million by misappropriating funds meant to be invested, authorities announced Wednesday, July 16. Antonio Petrosino is charged with wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said. From January 2016 through November 2024, Petrosino fraudulently induced the victims to transfer investment funds, mortgage payments, and other money to him, Habba said. As part of his scheme, Petrosino presented himself as a financial services professional to his victims and falsely led them t…
6.5-Acre Fair Lawn Shopping Center Anchored By Vacant ShopRite Sells For $14M 6.5-Acre Fair Lawn Shopping Center Anchored By Vacant ShopRite Sells For $14M
6.5-Acre Fair Lawn Shopping Center Anchored By Vacant ShopRite Sells For $14M A large shopping center in Fair Lawn has been sold again, just under a year after it last changed hands, real estate officials said. The River Road Shopping Center, located at 17-17 to 17-70 River Road, was sold by TFE Properties, JLL Capital Markets announced Tuesday, July 15. The property sold for $14 million. The 6.45-acre property includes 92,523 square feet of retail space across three buildings. Tenants include Sherwin-Williams and Walgreens, as well as a vacant former ShopRite with covered parking, officials said. JLL said the site has redevelopment potential, calling it a “value-ad…
Former Pittsburgh Pirate Dan Serafini Convicted Of Killing Father-In-Law Over $1.3M Dispute Former Pittsburgh Pirate Dan Serafini Convicted Of Killing Father-In-Law Over $1.3M Dispute
Former Pittsburgh Pirate Dan Serafini Convicted Of Killing Father-In-Law Over $1.3M Dispute Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini has been convicted of murdering his father-in-law and attempting to kill his mother-in-law over a reported financial dispute. Serafini, 51, who spent parts of nine seasons bouncing around multiple Major League teams, was found guilty in the 2021 shooting of Robert Gary Sphor, 70, and his wife, Wendy Wood, 68, according to the Placer County District Attorney's Office.  The former Pittsburgh Pirate was also convicted of first-degree burglary. The guilty verdicts come after a 6-week trial during which the jury heard testimony from dozens of witnesses and t…
Feds Indict Franklin Lakes Real Estate Influencer In Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme Feds Indict Franklin Lakes Real Estate Influencer In Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme
Feds Indict Franklin Lakes Real Estate Influencer In Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme A real estate influencer from Bergen County known as “Flipping NJ” was indicted for running a multi-million-dollar Ponzi-like scheme, laundering drug money, and bribing a Paterson official, federal prosecutors said Thursday, July 10. Cesar Humberto Pina, 47, of Franklin Lakes, misused millions of dollars from investors across the U.S. and laundered drug proceeds while promoting himself through real estate seminars hosted with DJ Envy, a nationally known radio personality, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said. “Cesar Pina is alleged to have misappropriated millions of dollars of peoples’ hard-earn…
Dollar Tree Completes Family Dollar Sale For $1B Amid VA-Based Discount Chain's Struggles Dollar Tree Completes Family Dollar Sale For $1B Amid VA-Based Discount Chain's Struggles
Dollar Tree Completes Family Dollar Sale For $1B Amid Va-based Discount Chain's Struggles Dollar Tree has finalized the sale of its struggling Family Dollar chain to two investment firms for a little more than $1 billion. Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management have completed their $1.007 billion cash purchase of Chesapeake, Virginia-based Family Dollar. The deal was first revealed in March and Dollar Tree announced the sale's completion in a news release on Tuesday, July 8. Dollar Tree said it expects to receive about $800 million after taxes and other adjustments, including $665 million paid at closing. "The completion of this transaction marks a defining m…
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Ludlow Woman Plans To Enjoy Retirement With Payday $1M Lottery Jackpot: Ludlow Woman Plans To Enjoy Retirement With Payday
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Ludlow Woman Plans To Enjoy Retirement With Payday A retired woman from western Massachusetts has hit the jackpot and is ready to spend the money living it up during her golden years. Teresa Moreno, of Ludlow, is the second $1 million grand prize winner in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “Triple 777," a $5 scratch-off game. Related: Mass Couple Jumping For Joy On New Trampoline After $4M Lottery Win She chose to take the lump-sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) instead of the annuity option, which would have paid out the full amount over 20 years. Moreno plans to use her winnings to invest, travel, and enjoy a well-deserved re…
'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers 'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers
'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers Federal agents have seized the largest amount of cryptocurrency ever related to "pig butchering" scams, where victims were tricked into fake online relationships. The Department of Justice announced the seizure of $225.3 million in crypto from the global "confidence scam" on Wednesday, June 18. The scam is also known as "pig butchering" since it uses tactics used to "fatten up" victims before draining their savings. Scammers relied on false identities through online messaging to gain trust and enter fake relationships before pushing fraudulent investments. "These scams prey …
Website For Trump's $5M 'Gold Card' Visa Program Launches, But Details Unclear Website For Trump's $5M 'Gold Card' Visa Program Launches, But Details Unclear
Website For Trump's $5M 'Gold Card' Visa Program Launches, But Details Unclear A government website has gone live for a so-called “Gold Card” concept tailored for wealthy foreigners proposed by President Donald Trump, but key details on just how it will work have not yet been announced. The premium residency permit priced at $5 million would provide streamlined access to live and work in the United States, circumventing traditional bureaucratic hurdles. Despite the substantial cost, the initiative has attracted the attention of global jet-setters eager to establish American residency. The administration has yet to provide further information since Trump introduced th…
'Proud American' Who Immigrated From Ethiopia Wins $1M Scratch-Off Prize In Maryland 'Proud American' Who Immigrated From Ethiopia Wins $1M Scratch-Off Prize In Maryland
'Proud American' Who Immigrated From Ethiopia Wins $1M Scratch-Off Prize In Maryland He came to the US with curiosity, learned the ropes — and just scratched his way to $1 million. A Silver Spring man, who calls himself a “proud American citizen” originally from Ethiopia, has claimed a $1 million top prize from the Maryland Lottery’s Gold Rush 777 scratch-off game, officials said. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, said the Lottery was completely foreign to him when he arrived in the country, but he paid attention, listened to friends, and slowly figured it out. “It was all new to me,” he said. “But thankfully I took the time to learn.” That patience paid off big.…
Using Certificates Of Deposit For Retirement Planning Using Certificates Of Deposit For Retirement Planning
Using Certificates Of Deposit For Retirement Planning If you're thinking about planning ahead for retirement, you may be wondering what the best retirement savings strategies are. If you're looking for a secure savings tool to use as you look ahead toward retirement, a Certificate of Deposit, or CD, provides guaranteed return on investment, FDIC insurance, and low risk.  Below, we'll dive into what CDs are and how they work, how to incorporate CDs into your retirement strategy, when CDs make the most sense for saving ahead of retirement, the pros and cons of having CDs as part of your retirement plan, and more.   What Are C…
Fake Properties, Real Money: Investors Lose $13M To Tuxedo Park Man's Scheme, Feds Say Fake Properties, Real Money: Investors Lose $13M To Tuxedo Park Man's Scheme, Feds Say
Fake Properties, Real Money: Investors Lose $13M To Tuxedo Park Man's Scheme, Feds Say An Orange County man has pleaded guilty to scamming dozens of investors out of more than $13 million in a real estate fraud scheme that lasted years, federal prosecutors announced Friday.  Barry Breeman, age 75, admitted in Manhattan federal court to securities fraud, acknowledging that he falsely claimed to be raising money for real estate development projects when in reality, he had no connection to the investments and used the money for himself, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, May 9.  Breeman’s scheme operated from at least 20…
$1M Win For Maryland Golfer Who Hit The Links, Then Hit The Jackpot $1M Win For Maryland Golfer Who Hit The Links, Then Hit The Jackpot
$1M Win For Maryland Golfer Who Hit The Links, Then Hit The Jackpot A Maryland man teed off on the green and ended up in the money. A longtime scratch-off fan from Delmar—who fittingly calls himself “19th Hole”—went from fairway to fortune after hitting a $1 million jackpot on a Maryland Lottery ticket.  And it all happened after a casual round of golf at Nutters Crossing. According to lottery officials, the Wicomico County winner made his first stop at the Express Lane convenience store on Snow Hill Road in Salisbury.  He picked up a $20 "$1 Million Royale" ticket before his game and scratched it off quickly—no win. No big deal. He was headed …
US Economy Shrinks, Private Jobs Report Disappoints As Trump's Tariffs Spark Financial Slump US Economy Shrinks, Private Jobs Report Disappoints As Trump's Tariffs Spark Financial Slump
US Economy Shrinks, Private Jobs Report Disappoints As Trump's Tariffs Spark Financial Slump The US economy shrank during President Donald Trump's first three months back in office, breaking a three-year growth streak as imports surged ahead of his trade wars. Real gross domestic product fell at an annual rate of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Wednesday, April 30. It marked the first quarter of negative growth since early 2022. The economic contraction is a dramatic drop from the 2.4% GDP growth the US experienced in the fourth quarter of 2024. The shrinking was largely due to a 41.3% spike in imports …