Columbus Principal Yigal Joseph Caught Up in Mount Vernon Federal Corruption Trial

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Joseph issued a public statement on his personal web site stating that the Journal News article inaccurately reported on his testimony in the case and that concerns expressed by Talk of the Sound were unfounded. Readers may also wish to read: Farewell, Dr. Joseph — New Rochelle Says Goodbye to a Principal Who Made a Difference in Many Lives

Tim O’Connor of The Journal News is reporting that Columbus Elementary School Principal Yigal Joseph testified as a witness for the prosecution in the federal corruption trial of Wayne Charles and former Mount Vernon Planning Commissioner Constance Post.

Prosecutors allege that the two set up a shell company, “Micros Only”, and used Joseph as a front man for their allegedly illegal operation which was used to defraud the Mount Vernon City government of $2.3 million.

Joseph testified that he sought to pass himself off as President of the company for the purpose of hiding the fact that the company was actually being run by Charles. Things got a bit dicey for Joseph when lawyers for the defense produced evidence that contradicted his sworn testimony:

Joseph said he wasn’t paid by Charles for his efforts on behalf of the company. But under cross-examination, Charles’ lawyer, Richard Ware Levitt, showed him a $1,500 check from Charles that Joseph had cashed with the notation “Micros Only” in the memo line. Joseph said he didn’t remember the check.

This is the third New Rochelle school administrator in the past month month caught red-handed being less than forthcoming. Isaac E. Young Middle School Principal Anthony Bongo made false statements to a County Health Inspector and signed a Health Inspection report to that effect in which he denied violating New York State law and New York State Department of Education by displaying and consuming tobacco products at a school. Bongo was also the animating force behind Project Restart, a program intended to provide access to school resources to adults who had previously attended Isaac E. Young Middle School. When asked at a school board meeting why the District would utilize scarce district resources to provide services already available elsewhere at no charge to persons no longer enrolled in the public schools, Schools Superintendent Richard Orgnisciak made a false statement claiming Project Restart was a partnership with United Way. The United Way later denied having any involvement with Project Restart.