Farmingdale Store Owner Caught in LIPA Scam

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Thomas Schuman, owner of Four Star True Value Variety Store in Farmingdale, pleaded guilty for falsifying records and attempting to steal over ten thousand dollars from the Long Island Power Authority.  (LongIsland.com)

Schuman is facing offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree as well as grand larceny in the third degree. He faces both a misdemeanor and felony. As a result Schuman will pay $35,000 as restitution to LIPA along with a $1,000 fine and 210 hours of community service. (LongIsland.com)

District Attorney Kathleen Rice tells LongIsland.com, “Thomas Schuman cheated Long Island electricity ratepayers with his scam and this sentence will ensure that his neighbors don’t end up footing the bill for his greed.”

Schuman’s store participated in the Compact Fluorescent light coupon rebate from 2009 to 2011. LIPA gave discounts reimbursed stores who mailed back the rebates. In a result of an audit in 2011 Schuman was found to have sent in 923 fraudulent rebate coupons that added up to $22,240.

Employees of Four Star True Value Store were told to find people in the phonebook and fill out coupons in their names. Schuman even had a daily quota of vouchers for his employees to fill out. (LongIsland.com)

To read more on this article please CLICK HERE

If you are seeking legal aid please contact The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. at www.stoberlaw.com

Christmas Eve Miracle

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

This Christmas Eve the Hollander family of Nassau County received a gift of a lifetime. Karen Hollander was doing some last minute shopping despite the fact she was nine months pregnant. After stopping at a bank in Great Neck Hollander felt contractions less than one minute apart. (CBS)

Hollander tells CBS she called 9-1-1 and in two minutes EMTs arrived on scene to deliver baby Alexandra Leah in an ambulance. Husband Roger Hollander met the two at the hospital.

The couple and baby are said to be doing great and thank the police, EMTs and North Shore University Hospital who helped deliver Alexandra. (CBS)

To read the full article please CLICK HERE

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LSU Studies Distracted Driving

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

The engineering school of LSU has been researching the dangers of cellphone use while driving for the past year and a half. Volunteers simulate driving through a series of screens and projectors created by the engineer students. Participants are even strapped into a small car with no wheels. (The Island Packet)

The study does not only show the impact of cellphone use while driving, but also the affects of driving while medicated or driving under different road conditions. Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, John LeBlanc, tells The Island Packet, technology is on the rise; therefore, the amount of distracted driving is increasing. LeBlanc also states, over 660,000 drivers are using their cellphones while driving at any given time. 

One LSU simulation study included the task of the driver having to follow a certain car but would receive phone calls while following that car. Sometimes drivers were asked to read and answer texts while driving the simulation. Students would study the driving patterns of the participant and judge their driving skills based on speed, brake and gas control, and drifting out of the lane.  (The Island Packet)

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sherif Ishak tells The Island Packet, phone conversations did not significantly affect drivers; however, participants who texted while driving showed a vast decrease in driving properly, especially staying in the correct lane. 

According to Ishak and the students at LSU, the distraction of using a cellphone while driving takes about 3.35 seconds, which is equivalent to driving 200 feet at 40 mph. LSU hopes to be one of the main sources in decoding safe versus distracted driving. (The Island Packet)

To learn more on this article please CLICK HERE

If you are seeking legal aid for an automobile accident or any other legal matter please contact the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. at www.stoberlaw.com 

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink And Drive

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

 

Three seventeen year old boys have been arrested for allowing their friend, Jane Modlesky, to drive drunk.  Police say the boys knew that Modlesky was drunk when she got behind the wheel of her SUV last July.  She crashed into and tree and died in Glastonbury, Connecticut.  Police have determined that Modlesky's blood alcohol content was 13 times the legal limit. 

In charging the three boys, police are sending a message to teens and young adults that witnessing and not taking action to prevent a potentially dangerous situation makes you guilty by law.  Two of the boys are charged with "reckless endangerment" and the third boy is charged with violation of "passenger restrictions and operating a motor vehicle between 11:00pm and 5:00 am."

To learn more about this story, click here.

The attorneys at the Law offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in representing clients in wrongful death and car accidents. Contact Stober Law if you or someone you know has been a victim of a car accident.

 

Why It's Never Too Soon For Estate Planning

Creating an estate plan is much different than creating a will.  An estate plan is a set of instructions for the entrusted surviving persons that indicates how said persons should manage and distribute your remaining assets, handle medical decisions, and care for your family in the event of your passing.  Creating an estate plan is a great way to prevent arguments or confusion among surviving family members.

To create a personalized estate plan, you must have the following:

• A Will: If you have children, a will is used to name their new legal guardian.  It is also used to appoint a representative to make executive decisions on who is to receive your remaining property.  This only happens in the absence of a trust.  A will should be in writing and signed and dated by you.  Two witnesses should be present in addition to the beneficiaries.  Most attorneys secure the will within their own offices, however if you wish to keep the will in your possession, it should be kept in a safety box.
• A Trust: While alive, you may handle your trust however you please. You may alter the terms or add and withdraw property as you wish.  Upon death, the trust distributes assets to the specified beneficiaries.
• Power of Attorney: This gives a designated person the ability to handle financial and health care decisions if you are not able to do so.

In already having your desired wishes laid out in the event of your death, you allow your family to have a grieving process without worrying about finances and logistics.  They have full confidence that every decision made was what you, the deceased, truly wanted.  It is essential that the will or estate plan be reviewed by an attorney every few years.  For more information on estate planning and wills, click here. 

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are highly qualified in estate planning and work to help families get through difficult times as stress-free as possible.  Contact us for help with an estate plan or to learn more about your estate options. 

Did You Get A Speeding Ticket? We Can Help!

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com

You're driving on the Long Island Expressway, stuck in the usual morning traffic, when suddenly the traffic clears.  You, along with the other cars, go petal to the metal.  You are so excited to be moving fast that you don't even realize you are driving 25 mph over the speed limit.  Before you can take your foot off the gas to slow down, you see the lights in your mirror.  You've been caught. 

New Yorkers have a less than perfect reputation when it comes to driving.  Aggressively maneuvering through traffic and speeding has contributed to their bad name.  Speeding violations result in points on a driver's license, however that is not enough to deter those impatient New Yorkers from slowing down. 

What's worse is that most people forget about or ignore the ticket.  There is an assumption that if the ticket is ignored, nothing will come of it.  Wrong.  Neglecting to recognize a speeding ticket accumulates points on your license over time and can result in a driver losing his or her license completely.  On top of this, a heavy fine will need to be paid. 

Avoid the hassle and possible consequences of a traffic violation by contacting The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober.  Our experienced speeding ticket attorneys will help minimize your consequences and assist you in maintaining your driving privileges. 

New Movie Sheds Light On Wrongdoings Within The Workplace

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com

Discrimination. Fraud. Sexual harassment.  These are just a few topics illustrated in Hollywood's next big feature film, "The Wolf of Wall Street".  The movie, based on a true story, has caused quite a stir among ex-employees of brokerage Stratton Oakmont.  The film illustrates the fast-paced, thrilling world of stock brokers during the 1990's and the demeaning, cut-throat work environment that came along with it. 

Sex, drugs and money were enough to entice young men to join the firm and the abundance of luxury was worth the verbally and physically abusive office charades.  Smashing computers and pill popping was common among employees at the fraudulent firm who were later found guilty of ripping off $200 million dollars of client money. 

The movie, out on Christmas, sheds light to a world many people didn't know existed within the workforce.  For more details on what it was like to work in these conditions, visit http://goo.gl/IHt5c2 and check out the trailer here:

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are skilled in representing clients that have fallen victim to employment discrimination and sexual harassment, among other areas of employment law.  To learn more about how we can help you and your case, contact us!

Early Morning Boat Crash Left Three Injured

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

This past Wednesday at 5:30 in the morning, a small boat crashed into a dock. The accident occurred in front of a waterfront home in Moriches. Three fishermen were on the boat at the time. (Eyewitness News)

A 41-year-old operator was driving the 31-foot Contender when he lost control. The crash tossed him and a 36-year-old off the boat. The third, 57-year-old from Southampton managed to stay on the boat during the crash but was left with the most sever injuries out of the three. He was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital for pack injuries. (Eyewitness News)

The operator of the boat also went to the hospital while the 41-year-old declined treatment. Investigators say alcohol was not a cause of the accident. (Eyewitness News)

To learn more on the story please CLICK HERE

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are skilled in representing clients in boating accidents. If you have been seriously injured in a boating accident due to someone else’s errors please contact Stober Law at www.stoberlaw.com.

Fast-Food Workers Plan a Country-wide Strike

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

This Thursday, fast-food workers across the country plan on going on strike to increase hourly wages. Workers are demanding $15 an hour to better afford clothing, food and rent. As of now workers are being paid $7.25 hourly, which is the federal minimum wage. (Commack Patch)

The strike will be organized by the organizations, Fast Food Forward and Fight for 15. They are fighting against the National Restaurant Association who says if wages are increased they will be forced to hire less workers in order to save money. (Commack Patch)

Walmart workers are among those demanding a higher salary. Despite the recovering economy fast-food workers and Walmart workers see no sign of salary increase and are putting action to it. Wendy’s and McDonald’s employees are among the workers planning on going on strike. (Commack Patch)

To learn more about the Commack Patch article, please CLICK HERE.

If you are seeking legal aid please, contact the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. at www.stoberlaw.com.