Four months ago, Talk of the Sound asked: Who is Dominic Procopio and Why is He Chairman of the Municipal Civil Service Commission?
Last week we asked: Why is Chairman Domenic Procopio of the New Rochelle Municipal Civil Service Commission getting two STAR Exemptions?
This week we ask: Why is Chairman Domenic Procopio of the New Rochelle Municipal Civil Service Commission getting two Combat Vet Exemptions?
Talk of the Sound has confirmed that Domenic Procopio does not live at 7 Pinebrook Road and so is not legally entitled to any tax exemptions on that property. According to Westchester County property records, Procopio became the sole owner of the property at 7 Pinebrook Road in 2002 but the property was never his primary residence, according to sources at City Hall. Information provided to Talk of the Sound indicates that Procopio has been claiming tax exemptions to which he is not entitled for seven years. According to sources knowledgeable with the approximate value of those exemptions, Propcopio has received more than $10,000 in tax reductions on the 7 Pinebrook Road property which he was not entitled to receive and a similar amount for his property at 126 Liberty Avenue.
In perhaps the most shocking twist in the story so far, Talk of the Sound has learned that Domenic Procopio never served in the United State military and has therefore never been entitled to the “Combat Vet” exemptions he has also been receiving on the property since 2002 (City records for the property pictured below, left).
Again consulting our contacts at the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s Office of Real Property Services we were provided information on Veteran’s Exemptions:
The eligible funds veterans’ real property tax exemption (Real Property Tax Law, section 458) provides a partial exemption where property owned by a veteran or certain other persons designated in the law has been purchased with pension, bonus, or insurance monies, referred to as “eligible funds”.
Another exemption, known as the alternative veterans’ exemption (Real Property Tax Law, section 458-a), is available only for residential property of veterans who served during wartime or received an expeditionary medal. Each county, city, town and village (municipality) was given the option of deciding not to grant this alternative exemption. A municipality, however, which initially opted not to grant the alternative exemption, may decide to change its decision and grant the exemption. Ask the assessor or the clerk of the municipality in which your residence is located to determine if the alternative exemption is in effect.
A third exemption, known as the Cold War veterans’ exemption (Real Property Tax Law, section 458-b), is available only for residential property of veterans who served during the Cold War period. Counties, cities, towns and villages have the option of granting a reduction in the amount of property taxes paid by veterans who qualify for this exemption. This exemption is not available to those veterans currently receiving either the eligible funds or alternative veterans’ exemption.
New York State defines “eligible funds” as “the proceeds of a veteran’s pension, bonus or insurance monies, or dividends or refunds on such insurance, compensation paid to prisoners of war, mustering-out pay, etc.”
As Mr. Procopio did not serve in the U.S. military he would not receive any funds of any kind that would be considered “eligible” so he could not have purchased the property with eligible funds.
We are still waiting to get answers to questions asked two weeks ago and have added a few more in light of recent disclosures:
Why did the assessor sign the City’s assessment roll attesting to the validity of the valuation decisions found on that roll?
What effort is made by the assessor to run searches on the database to identify matches or near-matches of names of property owners to be flagged for further investigation before granting a STAR exemption?
Does the City intend to revoke the exemptions and recover the monies not paid?
Are there any documents where Mr. Procopio made a “material misstatement” on a STAR application and will the City seek penalties against Mr. Procopio.
Now that we all agree that Domenic Porcopio knowingly accepted tax exemptions to which he is not entitled, does they City intend to take action with regard to Mr. Procopio’s position as Chairman of the Municipal Civil Service Commission?
Based on past conversations with Mr. Strome, it is my understanding that Mr. Procopio serves at the pleasure of Mr. Strome. Is that correct? If not, who has the power within the City government to remove Mr. Procopio from his current position as Chairman of the Municipal Civil Service Commission?
Whatever the cause of receiving the exemptions to which he was not entitled, he certainly knew over the past 8 years that he was not entitled to the exemptions.
Does the City intend to prosecute Mr. Procopio for “unjust enrichment”?
As he is a City official, does the City intend to prosecute Mr. Procopio under “public integrity” laws?
Does the City believe that Mr. Procopio should be disqualified from further exemptions for a period of five years?
As RPTL, §425 appear to apply the disqualification to receiving any STAR exemptions will the City revoke Mr. Procopio’s exemption on his property at 126 Liberty?
Procopio, A Combat Vet…
Then I’m Superman. The man is in no way a combat vet. Shame on him for stating and accepting such an honor and shame on City Hall for allowing a person like Mr. Procopio to get away with it for all those years.
This is just another “Business as Usual” day in City Hall to help those that have connections within. I still don’t understand why an official investigation has not been issues by the Westchester County DA’s Office as well as the NY State DA’s Office. I hope they get to work soon so that all these City Officials can sleep uncomfortably in there 6’x6’ jail cells along side Procopio.
two veterans STAR benefits
this is brutal. if you are a combat vet, this is sinful and a sad commentary. let me sit on my emotions and endorse what ms. godfrey puts forward. Shame!
star
mr.bob 3 things 1.why do they want you to come to city hall ,do you need to bring a lawyer.2.i get veterans creidt from my husbands army time 1 from county and smaller one from city and on my bill it shows both amounts but its not 2. 3.since aynononmus posts stopped traffic is down big if you could open for 2-3 days you might get a lot of info. ex; mr.p, mayors sec. hubby, ect,
you bill with veteran tax exemptions
mrsjudy,
I have submitted a FOIL request asking for copies of the tax bill sent to Dominic Procopio so we can all see whether Mr. Procopio was informed that he was receiving the STAR and Combat Vet tax exemptions. According to my sources at City Hall he has been informed of this for the past 8 years but I still want to see the records — and publish them.
If you or any other reader would be willing, I would like to publish the portion of other people’s tax bills (leaving out names and other personally identifying information) that show how the homeowner is informed that they are receiving a veteran-related tax exemption on property they own. So, please scan and email me a copy or contact us and we will make arrangements to get any copies of tax bills you are willing to share.
disturbing information
I would certainly like to hear what Mr. Strome is going to do about this situation. Does this civil service position require any amount of time spent on the job? Has Mr. Procopio been coming to City Hall lately? This is a paid position so taxpayers should be informed.