Rockland County, NY – Almost three years after an FBI raid swept through the Ramapo Town Hall, federal agents and officials from the district attorney’s office have arrested Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence for violating federal laws in the financing of Provident Bank Park in Pomona.
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The 4,500 seat ballpark was constructed in 2012, two years after voters in Ramapo rejected a $16.5 million plan to build the facility by a wide margin, according to Journal News reports.
While St. Lawrence vowed not to use town funding to build the stadium, he used the town to guarantee a $25 million bond issued to a local development corporation over a five year period, allowing him to sidestep the need for a public vote. A legal challenge to the bond was upheld by a state judge, allowing for construction to continue.
While the stadium’s price tag was originally projected at $20 to $25 million, it turned into a $60 million project according to an audit by Comptroller Thomas Di Napoli.
DiNapoli’s office found that the town had “inappropriately mingled its activities” with the local development corporation created to build the park and warned in 2012 that despite having originally rejected the proposal, taxpayers could still be left footing the $60 million bill.
“Ramapo officials ignored red flag the project numbers didn’t add up which could adversely impact its finances for years to come,” stated the audit.
An audit by accountants for the Town of Ramapo found that the local development corporation that financed the stadium showed a loss of $600,000 in 2013.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara had been working with the FBI and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the case and civil charges for violations of federal law may also be forthcoming.
It is unclear whether St. Lawrence would be able to continue as supervisor. Deputy Supervisor Patrick Withers, a retired NYPD officer who opposed the stadium project, said that that the town government would continue to operate as usual. Withers said that St. Lawrence’s arrest casts a pall over Ramapo.
“While the criminal charges filed are not a surprise, coming as they are on the heels of a multi-year federal investigation, the nature and extent of the charges are shocking,” said Withers.
סימן טוב ומזל טוב יהא לנו ולכל ישראל
It’s about time
I’m confused. The article states that a state court “upheld” a challenge to the bond, which to me sounds like they ruled against the bond. Yet, in the same sentence, the article states that that ruling allowed construction to continue.
How could construction continue if the bond was blocked? If construction was not contingent on financing by the bond, what’s this case about?
Do I hear a canary singing? Lots of nervous folks in Monsey this morning. What a travesty that for years the leaders of the Monsey Jewish community told their followers to vote for this crook and they knew he was a crook. Someday perhaps the frum Jews will vote for a person based on integrity and values instead of what crooked deals they think they will get from the crooked politician.
If ur jewish, stop besmirching your fellow jew on a public forum…probably a far bigger sin!
Baruch Hashem! It’s about time. He ruined Monsey.
This ballpark is just a drop in the bucket for him with all the crimes he’s committed. I would love to know how much money he made from all the illegal homes that are going up around town.
this is great, I hope they give him a plea deal so he can spill the beans on the REAL crooks who are destroying Monsey and hurting the minority children in Spring Valley.
A friend of the Jewish people – who has been demonized by Jew and Non Jew alike for his role in multi family dwellings….
Hey you haters out there- I got some news for you.. the Multifamily dwellings would have happened anyways.. Dont shoot the messenger… look deep deep into yourselves, we get the leaders that we deserve.. and by that I mean the leaders of OUR community (read builders, shvitzers etc)..
Mr St Lawrences father was an ohaiv Yisroel too..I heard this from someone who knew him well.. he is not an ohaiv Mommon, believe me..any more than me or you are!
He has done great things for our community- every one will agree to this
Mr St Lawrence, history will show u helped us so much!, WE pushed you 4 big bldings potentialy 2b near shul
lets stop this demonizingl — do not feed into the press frenzy.. he only has this stadium thing against him- please do NOT build up more alleged things..
What we give out we get in.. Love and understanding is missing in our community- be a part of it..
Hashem will help us if we stick together .. after all we came out of Mitzrayim by NOT fighting, infighting and accusing>
We will get out of this the same way.
#10 , why should we have to “get out of” things? Why can’t we just follow the law and be decent people. Do you really need 4 Shuls on your block? Where is the Ahavas Yisroel there? And where is the Ahavas Yisroel in constructing unsafe firetrap Yeshivas for innocent children? What is Frum about building apartment houses in violation of zoning laws, is there some kind of Halacha against having a yard? There is a Halacha against children playing 2 feet away from traffic on route 306, but that does not seem to concern you folks. Let St. Lawrence fry.
The Klal should not be sticking up for individuals charged with such grave misdeeds and we should reflect on our own miss comings !
Why do we have so many in our midst that have to resort to questionable activities to make ends meet?
I dare say it’s משירת נפש to rely on government for your sustenance we have the best and the brightest רבותיי
Why not teach our children once again like our forefathers in Europe to be proud tradesmen ?
Working a hard day of honest work and being קובע התאים is honorable !
A night Seder is admirable as well!
From a LoHUD comment:
Please, this criminality had nothing to do with a “Baseball Obsession” . The only reason why a stadium was built for a team one level above Bar League was as a justification to sell bonds. The stadium cost 65 million, they sold 150 million in bonds, where did the othe 85 million go to? Some no doubt went to underwrite the Ultraorthodox steered Elm Street Condos also run by Ramapo LDC other money went to pay other projects
St. Lawrence and crew were robbing Peter to pay Paul in a Municiple Bond Ponzi scheme. Not all the dominoes have fallen yet.
And those low income condos where bought by Brooklyn LLCs. A lot more is coming to the frum community.