NY man who dressed as dead mom sentenced for fraud

This May 2009 photo from video provided by the Brooklyn District Attorney's office shows, according to prosecutors, Thomas Parkin, 49, at left, on a Department of Motor Vehicles security camera, dressed up as his mother, who died in 2003, as part of a scam to collect her government benefits. At right is Mhilton Rimolo, a friend of Parkin's who authorities say acted as an accomplice in the scheme, posing as the mother's nephew when going to cash checks and do other business, prosecutors said. Parkin was convicted May 3, 2012 on charges including grand larceny and mortgage fraud. He was sentenced to 13 2/3 to 41 years, Monday May 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Brooklyn District Attorney's office)

This May 2009 photo from video provided by the Brooklyn District Attorney's office shows, according to prosecutors, Thomas Parkin, 49, at left, on a Department of Motor Vehicles security camera, dressed up as his mother, who died in 2003, as part of a scam to collect her government benefits. At right is Mhilton Rimolo, a friend of Parkin's who authorities say acted as an accomplice in the scheme, posing as the mother's nephew when going to cash checks and do other business, prosecutors said. Parkin was convicted May 3, 2012 on charges including grand larceny and mortgage fraud. He was sentenced to 13 2/3 to 41 years, Monday May 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Brooklyn District Attorney's office)

NEW YORK (AP) ? A man who dressed up as his mother in a bizarre real estate fraud that involved doctoring her death certificate and cashing her Social Security checks for six years after she died was sentenced Monday to more than 13 years behind bars.

Thomas Parkin was convicted May 3 on charges including grand larceny and mortgage fraud. He was sentenced Monday to 13 2/3 to 41 years in prison. Prosecutors said the scheme lasted six years and involved Parkin wearing a blond wig, dress and oversized sunglasses.

The 51-year-old Parkin said at sentencing that he never hurt anyone or used stolen funds for personal gain or injury.

When his mother, Irene Prusik, died in 2003 at age 73, he began impersonating her to cash her Social Security checks and keep her $2.2 million brownstone in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope, prosecutors said. The house had been deeded to Thomas Parkin, but he couldn't make mortgage payments and the house was later sold at a foreclosure auction, prosecutors said.

Parkin and a co-defendant later sued the new owner under Prusik's name, claiming real estate fraud and saying the auction was invalid in part because she was still alive, prosecutors said.

To maintain the ruse, Parkin doctored his mother's death certificate and went to the Department of Motor Vehicles dressed as her in a blond wig, dress and oversized sunglasses so he could get a renewed license, prosecutors said. He also cashed Social Security checks for six years, totaling about $44,000, they said.

Jurors deliberated for less than a day before finding him guilty. At trial, they were shown security footage of Parkin in drag in public, but his defense attorney said it could've been anyone.

As the property dispute dragged out, both sides eventually contacted the district attorney to accuse each other of fraud. By the time investigators arranged a meeting with the family, they had proof Prusik was dead: a photo of her tombstone in a local cemetery.

The investigators played along as Parkin showed up for the interview "wearing a red cardigan, lipstick, manicured nails and breathing through an oxygen tank," prosecutors said.

A co-defendant, Mhilton Rimolo, 49, was sentenced in October 2010 to three years in prison after he was convicted of grand larceny.

Associated Press

illinois primary results acapulco mexico

Putin tightens grip with new government

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a government dominated by loyalists on Monday, tightening his grip on the economy and national security after protests and limiting Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's ability to pursue market reforms.

Putin, 59, opted for continuity by retaining his ally Igor Shuvalov as first deputy prime minister in charge of economic policy, while Igor Sechin will remain his energy chief in a role outside the government.

Putin reeled off several new names in announcing the cabinet appointments at a Kremlin meeting but kept a core of familiar figures in place, displaying no great hunger for policy changes at the start of a six-year presidential term.

The former KGB spy consolidated his hold over the "power" ministries by naming Moscow police chief Vladimir Kolokoltsev as interior minister, in a sign of trust in a man who has at times used heavy force against protesters demanding Putin quit.

Putin signaled continuity in international and military affairs, leaving Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov in place along with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, an ally who oversees the defense industry.

"Work will be difficult, given the concrete situation in the world economy - there are very many factors of uncertainty," Putin told the new cabinet, seated at the head of the table with Medvedev to his right, in a Kremlin meeting broadcast live on state television.

An important test of the government will be the speed at which it implements a privatization program and a drive to reduce the dependence of the $1.7 trillion economy on oil and gas exports.

Putin has also faced the biggest protests since he was first elected president in 2000, caused initially by allegations of electoral fraud but fuelled by anger and frustration that his 12-year domination of Russia has been extended by six years.

The opposition, representing a civil society that is finally emerging more than two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, says its views are being ignored and Putin is stifling economic and political reforms in the world's largest country.

His appointment of Kolokoltsev to the Interior Ministry sent a clear message that he does not intend to bow to the protesters' demands for more political choice and a reduction in the strong central control over a country sprawling from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

"This is a man who breaks up peaceful meetings with the help of cudgels," opposition leader Boris Nemtsov told Reuters. "This all fits into the logic of modern Putinism."

GROWTH AGENDA

Medvedev, 46, named premier after Putin returned to the Kremlin on May 7, has said he will push pro-growth policies and the privatization drive.

But, even though the partners in Russia's ruling 'tandem' announced they had agreed to switch jobs last September, the long and secretive process of forming a government raised concerns of factional divisions between the two camps.

"The composition of the new cabinet suggests that it is likely to focus on budget stability rather than a pro-market agenda," Moscow-based Alfa Bank said in a research note.

"We also view the new cabinet as reflective of efforts to maintain a balance of power between the president and PM, which may make it difficult to deliver a united economic agenda."

The line-up brought in a couple of new faces from the team of young market liberals that served in the Kremlin during Medvedev's four-year term as president, during which he promised far-reaching reforms but carried out few of them.

One, Arkady Dvorkovich, was named among six deputy premiers and was expected to have responsibility for energy and industry policy - areas over which he had little influence while serving as Medvedev's economic adviser.

The energy minister's job went to Alexander Novak, a former deputy finance minister, indicating that Sechin would maintain control over Russia's strategic oil and gas sector despite leaving the government.

Another Medvedev aide, former power industry boss Mikhail Abyzov, missed out on an energy role and was named last on Putin's list as coordinator of an "open government" forum backed by Medvedev that has until now produced talk but little action.

Putin, who stepped aside as president in 2008 because of constitutional limits, extended his influence over economic policy - traditionally the preserve of the prime minister - by ensuring that the finance and economy portfolios were taken by placemen who support his credo of state-led development.

Career bureaucrat Anton Siluanov stays as finance minister, while a pro-Putin economist, Andrei Belousov, was promoted to economy minister.

NO BREAKTHROUGH

"This is not a breakthrough government," said former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, a fiscal hawk ousted from government last year in a power struggle with Medvedev. He is still close to Putin and has been named as a possible future prime minister.

"I doubt greatly that it will be able to rise to the challenges facing Russia."

Analysts said the cabinet would probably lack independence. They looked to the Kremlin team being formed by Putin for clues on the direction of policy during his six-year term, after which he could seek re-election and try to rule until 2024.

"The balance of power in the decision-making process is likely to shift from the government to the presidential administration, while recent presidential statements have not revealed increased appetite for structural reforms," Alexander Morozov, chief economist at HSBC in Moscow, said in a note.

Although latest figures show Russia's economy grew 4.9 percent in the first quarter, that was boosted by lavish pre-election spending that drove up the level at which the oil price needs to be for Russia to balance its budget in future.

"The oil curse will get us sooner or later," said German Gref, head of Russia's largest bank, Sberbank. "The government has no option but to create a favorable climate for investment and growth."

Gref's bank is at the top of a list of state assets slated for privatization, but the sale of a 7.6 percent stake planned for last September has been repeatedly delayed.

Shuvalov recently vetoed a near-term sale due to poor market conditions that have since deteriorated further, reducing the value of the stake to $4.3 billion.

The English-speaking lawyer is seen as one of the few officials who can mediate in the battles for power and influence between the market liberals and those, like Putin, with a background in the security services.

"Shuvalov ... has been a proponent of privatization in the past," said Peter Westin, chief economist at Moscow brokerage Aton. "Whether it goes ahead and at what speed ... depends on the oil price."

(Writing by Douglas Busvine; Additional reporting by Melissa Akin, Darya Korsunskaya, Maria Tsvetkova, Megan Davies, Jason Bush and Steve Gutterman; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Robin Pomeroy)

judi dench alicia keys bobby brown leaves funeral donnie mcclurkin whitney houston funeral live stream kevin costner whitney houston whitney houston funeral live

Understanding Cabinet Refacing Costs - IdeaMarketers.com

One way to avoid the exorbitant expense of completely replacing the cabinets in a kitchen is by refacing them instead. There are several different cabinet refacing options, though, and some are more affordable than others. Before making a decision, a homeowner should be aware of the kinds of cabinet refacing costs that he or she will face. It is generally easy to find a budget-friendly solution, but the best way to do so is by understanding the various expenses ahead of time.

New Hardware

The most affordable way to breathe new life into cabinets is by replacing their hardware. New knobs, hinges and handles are relatively inexpensive. There are many ornate and unique-looking options out there, and the right thing can really spruce up the appearance of a cabinet. In general, a new knob will cost between two and five dollars. A new handle will cost between five and 10 dollars. Every knob or handle should be replaced to achieve a consistent look. This job is easy to complete, and it doesn't take a lot of time either.

Veneers

Veneers are popular cabinet refacing options, and they are available in a dizzying array of colors, styles and designs. A wide range of prices is available too, so it's fairly easy to find something that works well with any given budget. On the low end of the price scale, it's possible to find veneers that cost around 15 dollars each. On the pricier end of the scale, veneers can cost as much as 65 or 70 dollars apiece. Whatever a homeowner's budget may be, he or she should be able to find the right veneers without a lot of trouble.

Repainting Cabinets

Another option is to repaint existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts. This process is a little more involved because doors and drawer fronts should be removed before they are painted and replaced after they are completely dry. In addition to paint, sandpaper, brushes, tape, screwdrivers and other tools will be needed. On average, repainting a set of cabinets will cost anywhere from $150 to $250. The specific amount will depend on how many tools a homeowner already has.

Replacing Doors and Drawer Fronts

Completely replacing the doors and drawer fronts is among the most expensive options. However, it is also one of the easiest strategies. The average price of a new drawer front or cabinet door is right around $50. There are cheaper options, and there are much more expensive ones as well. In addition to style, homeowners should keep quality in mind. Without being careful, it is easy to end up with inferior pieces that can't withstand everyday use.

jaco

Tax and College Finance Reform ? Aid ghd australia or Hindrance ...

Securing enough funding for that Dallas colleges is a ghd hair straightener issue experienced by a lot of college districts inside the United states. Most funding has grow to be program distinct, with government controlling its use and frequently benefiting only a portion of the Dallas colleges college students. Condition funding continues to be scarce, demanding Dallas colleges to rely upon nearby property and school taxes to cover the common demands with the colleges. Additionally, federal authorities oversight creates much more administrative specifications. This implies that many in the valuable bucks the Dallas schools get by means of govt funding must be expended on administrative costs, rather than straight to benefit the college students.

Recently, the Texas legislature handed new legislation for tax and college finance reform. Quite a few are touting the legislation as primarily superior for Dallas schools. The regulation includes tax cuts to businesses, property tax cuts, strong taxpayer protections, and college funding and accountability enhancements.

Here is how the new a href=?http://www.ghdscheapstraightener-au.org?ghd/a laws impacts the Dallas schools.

School Residence Tax Control. Previously, the Dallas schools, along with other colleges in Texas, could raise the school property tax rate by 6 cents for every $100 of residence each 12 months ? with no voter approval. With all the new legislation, any raise with the school home tax price of much more than 4 cents have to have local voter approval. Also, the optimum school property tax was $1.fifty per $100 of home. The brand new legislation will reduced that optimum to $1.00 per $100 of house over the next two many years.

A lot more Accountability and Transparency. The brand new legislation not simply demands much more bureaucracy for that Dallas schools, but they are needed to create it readily available online. The Dallas schools will now be required to location in depth neighborhood college ghd australia spending information on an internet web-site for any individual to review. This new level of heavy oversight gives ammunition to anyone who needs to acquire their name within the paper by means of official criticism to the legislators or even bogus court action. Some question irrespective of whether this may well result in far more expenses to the Dallas colleges to defend required expenditures that benefit Dallas schools students, either directly or indirectly.

Instructor Compensation. Over the upside, the new laws contains a $2,000 teacher spend increase, sorely necessary by Dallas schools lecturers. A $250 million state teacher efficiency pay plan can also be integrated within the regulation, of which Dallas colleges will obtain its portion. The performance strategy is always to inspire instructing innovation and excellence.

General, the brand new laws puts $1.7 billion dollars of new income into colleges across the condition, significantly ghd australia growing the state?s reveal of public school funding. Though this new legislation does just take a burden off the Dallas schools house taxpayers by supplying a lot more state funding for common school expenses, it does reduce the nearby dollars that don?t have the heavy value tag of red tape administration, at the same time as reducing the Dallas schools ability to lift money regionally.

Recognized stronga href=?http://www.ghdscheapstraightener-au.org?ghd straightener/a/strong Online Store offers you all types of shard ghd hair straighener with Easy-to-take Distribution, Secure Payment First class Customer Service.

oscar noms capital gains tim thomas oral roberts les paul fred thompson fred thompson

RIM demos simple app switching in BlackBerry 10, slide to reveal

BlackBerry 10 is no joke on the multitasking front. The QNX-based OS may be a long time coming, but it really is offering something for the modern user that needs to switch between several apps. Instead of going the task list route, as webOS and Android have done, RIM's latest simply lets you swipe to reveal background tasks. Drag your thumb from left to right to peek at other apps that are currently running in the background. You can simply glance at them and go back to the foreground, or you can actually swipe back to go to programs launched earlier. It's slick, intuitive and perhaps the most familiar multitasking solution to those accustomed to the desktop metaphor. For more info check out our recent hands-on.

RIM demos simple app switching in BlackBerry 10, slide to reveal originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 09:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

indonesia quake stephen strasburg shabazz legion baby found alive in morgue rockies ashley judd

Did you get that memo? | Rena Tom / retail strategy, trends and ...

Posted by Alyson Thomas ? Monday, April 30, 2012 ? Leave a Comment?

Milton's Red Stapler by Nat Smith Illustrations at http://www.etsy.com/shop/NatSmithIllustration

One of the best things about being part of a local community of creatives is the constant transfer of knowledge. When you have your head down in your business, it?s easy to only pay attention to your own issues. But being a part of a group of small-business owners means that you can constantly be alerted to new information relevant for your biz.

Such was the case this last week when a Kyla of the SF Etsy Team posted about a new California Board of Equalization (BOE ? our state sales tax collection agency) memo, explaining a new ?sub-permit? requirement. Up until now, if you were a seller in California, you registered for a seller?s permit for your permanent place of business. For brick and mortar shop owners, this was their shop, obviously. For online sellers, this typically is just your house, studio, or office. That one seller?s permit was all you needed, and you were free to sell at ?temporary? locations like craft fairs without any further regulations.

As of April this year, the BOE is requiring California sellers to file for an additional sub-permit for each temporary location at which they sell. This means you need to file with the BOE for every craft fair, flea market, or trunk show at which you?ll be selling. Thankfully, there is no additional cost, but there is additional effort. California sellers will need to either call the BOE or visit a BOE office to register their temporary selling location. Applications by mail can take 2 to 4 weeks, while in person applications can be done immediately. By the summer, the BOE will have an easier online registration process, hopefully in time for the craft show season.

More information for California sellers can be found here: http://www.boe.ca.gov/news/specialnotices.htm (Click on the April 2012 notice)

Even though this new information is specific to California sellers, the larger point is that new laws, regulations, and requirements pop up all. the. time. As a small-business owner, you have so many federal, state, and local agencies, boards, and regulatory bodies to answer to that it is fairly difficult to stay up to date on everything, all while trying to make your business succeed (and sneak in some free time too!). Ignoring or just plain being ignorant of these regulations can cost you time and money down the road. That?s why being a member of a small-business group, whether online or in person, local or nationwide, is so imperative to the health and legal security of your business.

- Alyson Thomas, Drywell Art

academy awards 2012 nominations academy awards independent spirit awards 2012 jan brewer independent spirit awards 2012 oscar predictions jim jones

Manny Colon pitches no-hitter to lead East (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

kansas vs kentucky joe posnanski michael kidd gilchrist national championship calipari national archives brock lesnar