New Jersey Archives

Entertainment

NJ Lottery: Florida Lottery Player Wins $1,000 a Week for Life

TRENTON, NJ (STL.News) One Florida Lottery CASH4LIFE ticket matched the five white balls drawn for the Sunday, January 24, drawing winning the $1,000 a week for life second prize. In addition, 9,168 players won $45,390 in cash prizes ranging from $2 to $500 with 2,205 of those tickets doubling their prize with DOUBLER. The winning numbers were: 11, 25, 40, 53 and 59. The Cash Ball was: 04. The DOUBLER add-on feature doubles the $2,500 third-tier prize to $5,000 when added to a game play for an additional $1 per play. It also doubles all of the other tier prizes. The $1,000 a day for life and $1,000 a week for life prizes are not doubled. CASH4LIFE offers two jackpot prizes for the $2.00 ticket price. The top prize is $1,000 a day for life, with a current cash value of $7,000,00...

General

New Jersey: Tristan Warner Charged to Engage in Sexual Conduct

New Jersey Man, Tristan Warner Charged with Traveling Across State Lines Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Child ALBANY, N.Y (STL.News) Tristan Warner, age 47, of New Jersey, was charged with interstate travel with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The criminal complaint alleges that on January 15, Warner travelled from New Jersey to a location near Watervliet, New York, to meet with an undercover officer posing as a mother who was willing to make her 11-year-old daughter available for a sexual encounter. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. ...

General

New Jersey AG Grewal: Phillip Stewart III Convicted of Theft

Man Convicted at Socially Distanced Jury Trial of Conspiring to Steal $17,000 in Checks from the New Jersey Department of Labor TRENTON (STL.News) Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a Philadelphia man was convicted at trial in Trenton, N.J., of conspiring with a temporary state employee to steal checks totaling $17,206 from the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This was the first verdict obtained by the Division of Criminal Justice in a socially distanced jury trial during the COVID 19 pandemic. Phillip Stewart III, 39, of Philadelphia, Pa., was found guilty on Friday, Nov. 13, by a Mercer County jury of third-degree charges of conspiracy and theft by unlawful taking. He was acquitted of a charge of third-degree theft by deception. The verdict followed ...

General

New Jersey: Michael W. Kwasnik Sentenced for Money Laundering

New Jersey Attorney, Michael W. Kwasnik Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Money Laundering as Part of Embezzlement Scheme CAMDEN, N.J (STL.News) A New Jersey attorney was sentenced today to 216 months in prison for money laundering as part of a multi-year scheme to embezzle money from his clients, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Michael W. Kwasnik, 51, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court to an information charging him with money laundering. Judge Kugler imposed the sentence today by videoconference. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Kwasnik was an attorney licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania who specialized in providing estate and financial planning services to his clie...

General

Sussex County Woman, Maria Bell Charged with Concealing Terrorist Financing

Sussex County Woman, Maria Bell Charged with Concealing Terrorist Financing to Syrian Al-Nusra Front, a Foreign Terrorist Organization (STL.News) A Sussex County, New Jersey, woman, Maria Bell, a/k/a “Maria Sue Bell,” 53, of Hopatcong, New Jersey, was arrested at her home today and charged with one count of knowingly concealing the provision of material support and resources to a Foreign Terrorist Organization Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito for the District of New Jersey announced. She is scheduled to appear by videoconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor. According to documents filed in Court, beginning at least as early as March of 2017, Bell used mobile applications to communicate wi...

General

Florida: Edward B. Kostishion Admits Role in $4.6 Million Health Care Fraud

Florida: Edward B. Kostishion Admits Role in $4.6 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Schemes Related to Genetic Testing NEWARK, NJ (STL.News) A Florida man today admitted his role in using his company to defraud the Medicare Program in connection with fraudulent orders for genetic tests, Attorney for the United States Rachael A. Honig announced. Edward B. Kostishion, 60, of Lakeland, Florida, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to a superseding information charging him with two counts of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States in connection with schemes to commit health care fraud and violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. Kostishion and five co-defendants were previously charged by indictment in September 2019 in connecti...

Politics

New Jersey Governor: $60 Million to Small Business Grant Applications

Governor Murphy Announces Additional $60 Million to Fulfill Pipeline of Small Business Grant Applications Move Will Enable Funding of Approximately 13,000 Additional Grants TRENTON, NJ (STL.News) Today, Governor Phil Murphy announced a commitment of at least $60 million in additional Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to fulfillment of grants under Phase 3 of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA’s) Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. This funding is in addition to $70 million in federal funds already allocated for the current phase of the program and will enable the NJEDA to fulfill grants for the entire pipeline of eligible businesses that applied for Phase 3 funding prior to the application deadline. Without this supplem...

Politics

New Jersey Governor Announces New COVID-19 Mitigation Measures

TRENTON, NJ (STL.News) Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 194, which includes new COVID-19 mitigation measures. The measures include restrictions on seating and hours for restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges, and prohibition of interstate indoor K-12 and youth sports. “As cases of COVID-19 increase across the country and in our state, we must take all measures necessary to stop the spread,” said Governor Murphy. “In the interest of public health, we are requiring modifications in operations for businesses that serve food and drinks, and temporarily prohibiting interstate games and tournaments for indoor K-12 sports. We must come together as a state to once again beat back this deadly virus and to save lives.” The measures being announced today include: Restriction...

Politics

New Jersey Governor Murphy Announces Appointments

Governor Murphy Announces Appointments to Cannabis Regulatory Commission Senior Policy Advisor and Associate Counsel Dianna Houenou to Serve as Commission Chair and Department of Health Assistant Commissioner Jeff Brown to Serve as Executive Director TRENTON, NJ (STL.News) Governor Murphy today announced his appointments of Dianna Houenou as Chair of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and Jeff Brown will serve as Executive Director of the Commission. The Governor will also appoint Krista Nash as a member of the Commission, upon the recommendation of Senate President Steve Sweeney. “Dianna has been a critical voice for social justice and equity on my team for the past year and a half after spending several years working on the fight to legalize marijuana with the ACLU,” said Governor Mur...

Missouri, Political News

NJ: Man Sentenced to Seven Years in State Prison

NJ: Man Sentenced to Seven Years in State Prison for Traveling From California to New Jersey in Attempt to Sexually Assault an 11-Year-Old Girl (STL.News) – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a California man was sentenced to state prison today for traveling to New Jersey in an attempt to sexually assault an underage girl. He communicated online with a man he believed was offering him an opportunity to sexually assault a girl, age 11, but that man was really an undercover detective of the New Jersey State Police. Ian Brewer, 25, of Pomona, Calif., was sentenced today to seven years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Regina Caulfield in Union County. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 27, 2020 to an accusation charging him with second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault...

Politics

NJ, Governor Murphy Signs Bill Banning Single-Use Paper & Plastic Bags

Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Banning Single-Use Paper and Plastic Bags in New Jersey New Law Will Be the Strongest Bag Ban in the Nation TRENTON, NJ (STL.News) Governor Phil Murphy today signed S864, which prohibits the use of single-use plastic and paper bags in all stores and food service businesses statewide. This bill is a significant step to reduce harm and pollution that these products cause to our environment. “Plastic bags are one of the most problematic forms of garbage, leading to millions of discarded bags that stream annually into our landfills, rivers, and oceans,” said Governor Murphy. “With today’s historic bill signing, we are addressing the problem of plastic pollution head-on with solutions that will help mitigate climate change and strengthen our environment for ...

Missouri, Political News

NJ: AG Grewal Announces ShopRite

NJ AG Grewal Announces ShopuRite, Wakefern to Pay $235,000 and Improve Data Security in Settlement over Privacy Lapses at Supermarket Pharmacies (STL.News) – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (the Division) today announced that Wakefern Food Corp. (Wakefern), the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, and two of its associated ShopRite supermarket entities, have agreed to pay $235,000 and improve data security practices to resolve allegations that they failed to protect the personal information of more than 9,700 New Jersey residents who made pharmacy purchases at ShopRite supermarkets in Millville, NJ and Kingston, NY. The settlement resolves allegations that Wakefern, based in Keasbey, NJ; Union Lake Supermarket, LLC (“...

Politics

Delaware, New Jersey & Rhode Island’s Coordination on COVID

Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island Announce Coordination on COVID-19 Testing Guidance WILMINGTON, DE (STL.News) Building on previous coordination among states, Delaware Governor John Carney, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announce that their states will be working together on asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. Joint statement from the Governors: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted our interconnectedness as states. It has also underscored the critical connection between the health of our people and the health of our economies. In order to support the health of both, our states have worked together to develop a common approach to testing among high-risk, high-priority populations even when they are asymptomatic. As new cases increase in many...

Politics

New Jersey Gov. Murphy Selects Bridges as Secretary Higher Education

Governor Murphy Nominates Dr. Brian Bridges as Secretary of Higher Education NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (STL.News) Governor Phil Murphy today announced his nomination of Dr. Brian Bridges as the next Secretary of Higher Education. “Making college more affordable and accessible has been a hallmark of our mission to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey for all,” said Governor Murphy. “After conducting a nationwide search for a new Secretary of Higher Education, we’ve found just the right leader to build upon our progress. Dr. Brian Bridges has the vision and experience needed to put a college education within reach for more students, including continuing our highly successful Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program. I know he’ll be a fierce advocate for our students and will work clo...

Politics

New Jersey Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Health Emergency

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Public Health Emergency in New Jersey RED BANK, NJ (STL.News) Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 191. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, and September 25. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. “Today’s new COVID-19 case count marks our highest daily figure since May,” said Governor Murphy. “As we face a steep increase in cases, it could not be more important to ensure we have access to all available resources. Keeping New Jerseyans safe is our highest priority, today and every day. W...

Politics

New Jersey Governor Murphy Announce Workforce Development Programs from COVID Relief Fund

Governor Murphy, Congressman Norcross Announce New Workforce Development Programs from Coronavirus Relief Fund CAMDEN, NJ (STL.News) Today, Governor Phil Murphy and Congressman Donald Norcross announced $14 million in additional Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to develop workforce development programs. The programs are designed to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 replenish their workforce and help jobless residents learn new skills that lead to successful reemployment. “As this pandemic continues to threaten our public health, we must work to ensure that a stronger, fairer, and more resilient New Jersey emerges on the other side of COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “With today’s announcement, we are investing in opportunities for job training in our w...

Politics

New Jersey Governor Murphy Nominates Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan as Education Commissioner

Governor Murphy Nominates Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education SOUTH ORANGE, NJ (STL.News) Governor Phil Murphy today announced his nomination of Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Ed.D., as the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education. “From day one, I pledged to select a Commissioner of Education with experience in public education. We fulfilled that promise through the nomination of Dr. Repollet, and maintain that promise today,” said Governor Murphy. “A product of New Jersey’s public schools, Angelica has worked at all levels of education and knows exactly what our teachers and students need to succeed. She is an exemplary educator and I’m confident she is the leader we need to carry our school communities through the re...

Politics

New Jersey Governor Murphy Takes Action on Legislation

TRENTON, NJ (STL.News) Today, Governor Phil Murphy signed the following bills and resolutions into law S-2584/A-3622 (Cunningham, Pou/Quijano, Vainieri Huttle, Murphy) – Makes changes to membership and responsibilities of Campus Sexual Assault Commission A-1263/S-1914 (Schaer, Johnson/Pou, Cardinale) – Prohibits act, practice or arrangement constituting stranger-originated life insurance A-2394/S-401 (Wimberly, Johnson, Holley/Turner, Cunningham) – Requires law enforcement agencies in this State to establish minority recruitment and selection programs; establishes reporting requirement A-3367/S-1951 (Johnson, Kennedy, Benson/Smith, Codey) – Concerns installation of electric vehicle charging stations in common interest communities Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed the following bill...