Courts

A major player in a bogus debt collection scheme is going to serve time in federal prison (WNY News Now).BUFFALO, N.Y. — Joseph Ciffa, 56, of Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct wire fraud and filing a false tax return and was sentenced to 37 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.Ten Years of Fraudulent ActivitiesCiffa's illicit debt collecting actions started in 2013 and continued for years. He oversaw an illegal organization that had its headquarters spread throughout several Western New York sites, including Grand Island, Kenmore, and Niagara Falls, starting in 2015. Under Ciffa's leadership, staff members used forceful and dishonest methods to collect and overcollect debts, including threatening criminal charges or posing as lawyers to pressure vi...

(WNY News Now) A guy connected to gang activities in Niagara Falls faces federal jail time for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute drugs, which included selling fentanyl close to public housing.Buffalo, New York. According to U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, 27-year-old Michael Pryor of Niagara Falls, New York, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his involvement in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy and the selling of fentanyl close to public housing.As a member of the Crips gang, Pryor entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, which included dealings within 1,000 feet of the Anthony Spallina Towers, a Niagara Falls public housing complex. Pryor worked with fellow defendants Shawn Pryor and Cameron Lee, who were also connected to the group...

(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – Cora Waddington, 25, of Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and drug distribution charges, marking a disturbing case of exploitation and substance abuse. The charges include conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and benefitting financially from trafficking in persons, carrying a potential sentence of five years to life in prison.Federal prosecutors revealed that between October and December 2022, Waddington conspired with co-defendants Zaid Mendoza, also known as “Diamond,” and Kelvin O. Thomas to run a sex trafficking operation. The scheme targeted vulnerable victims struggling with drug addiction, luring them into commercial sex work with shelter, food, and daily doses of heroin and fentanyl.The trio used a residence on West Ma...

(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with the DOJ and three other states, is taking legal action to prevent UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition of Amedisys, alleging the merger would lead to higher costs and lower care quality for seniors relying on home health and hospice services.NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined three attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in suing UnitedHealth Group (United) and Amedisys, Inc. (Amedisys), two of the nation’s largest providers of home health and hospice services for seniors, to block United’s acquisition of Amedisys that could threaten the quality of critical health care services for millions of seniors. United and Amedisys are each other’s top competitors in many home health mark...

(WNY News Now) – In a settlement designed to protect Pennsylvania consumers, Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that Inspire Clean Energy will pay restitution and take corrective measures after allegedly misleading customers into costly energy contracts.HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a settlement with Inspire Clean Energy that will require the California-based energy provider to pay restitution for misleading consumers into service agreements, in addition to other monetary relief.The Office of Attorney General’s investigation revealed that Inspire representatives allegedly told consumers they were merely participating in a survey or signing up for a mailing list to receive information about clean energy, when in fact they were being enrolled in Inspire’s ener...

(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rashaun Dix, 38, from Niagara Falls, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge, announced by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.The case, overseen by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey Jacovetti, stemmed from a joint investigation in 2021 by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Niagara Falls Police. Authorities began closely monitoring Dix after he was connected to a suspected cocaine distributor in the Niagara Falls area.According to court records, Dix sought assistance from an associate in March 2022 to convert cocaine into crack, referring to the substance as “nu-nu” and asking for help “cooking” it. The followin...