(Dominic Procopio outside 7 Pinebrook Road earlier today, a “for sale” clearly visible)
Procopio Must Pay Back Combat Vet Exemptions
New Rochelle Tax Assessor Louis Pirone is blaming “State policy” for his decision to waive all past due amounts for eight years worth of STAR exemptions pocketed by Domenic Procopio, the Chairman of New Rochelle Civil Service Commission. Pressed to cite a single statute or policy that supported this claim, Pirone would only say “STAR is not restorable” by “State policy”.
Procopio is being asked to pay back taxes totaling $2,674.44 for the eight years of Combat Veterans property tax exemptions he received to which he was likewise not entitled, a small fraction on the total amount owed by Procopio. Tax experts tell Talk of the Sound the full amount is well in excess of $10,000.
Domenic Procopio has not responded to repeated messages left for him at the New Rochelle Civil Service Commission office.
By statute, the STAR Exemption, as spelled out in section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law, is available only on the “primary residence” of a property owner. An improperly granted STAR Exemption may be revoked and recovered. In addition, there are penalties for making a “material misstatement” on a STAR application, where the applicant “shall be disqualified from further exemption pursuant to this section [RPTL, §425] for a period of five years, and may be subject to prosecution pursuant to the penal law.”
The duty of administering exemptions falls upon the assessor, who annually—in signing his or her assessment roll—attests to the validity of the valuation decisions found on that roll. New York’s Constitution and laws are clear that the functions of local government should remain with localities, with certain exceptions.
Informed that the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s Office of Real Property Services had stated that all decisions on recovering improperly granted property tax exemptions rests with his office, Pirone would only repeat his previous statements blaming the State.
Asked to explain why Procopio was being required to repay the Combat Veteran tax exemptions — exemptions created by the New York State legislature in the same way the STAR program was created — Pirone claimed that STAR was different because “no one was out any money” with STAR since the State reimburses the school district for exemptions under the STAR program. Pirone was not responsive when it was suggested that by that logic he should give out STAR exemptions on every property in New Rochelle as it would reduced property taxes for everyone and no one would be out any money. Of course, the State would be out the money which would mean either lowering the amount of future STAR exemptions, discontinuing the program, raising State taxes to cover the resulting short fall in the State’s budget or some combination thereof.
Procopio became the sole owner of the property at 7 Pinebrook Road in 2002; between 1999 and 2002 Procopio owned the property jointly with Helena Ferrari. Helena Ferrari was the surviving spouse of Peter Ferrari who purchased the property in 1958 and appears to have died in 1999.
The City of New Rochelle has claimed that the Combat Veteran and STAR exemptions received by Procopio on 7 Pinebrook Road were the result of a clerical error in 2002 which resulted in the exemptions being carried forward to the new owner by accident. The City has failed to provide a single document supporting this claim despite repeated requests by Talk of the Sound.
star
combat was removed but still shows star on both properties.
Absolutely Disgusting
This one issue alone should/could be enough to oust the entire city hall power structure. If flyers are printed explaining what has happened here, detailing the multiple primary exemptions and combat veteran credits and non-action and protection he is receiving from the city AND the free ride he is getting are distributed, I think it will infuriate many residents that are unaware. The North end is oblivious to the dealing of city hall but they are very concerned about their taxes and this goes to the heart of their concerns.
What’s this dog’s pedigree ?
Does a commish have to be vetted in some manner ? I mean can the mayor just appoint anyone or does he need at least a rudimentary background check . Could he be a convicted felon , is he a citizen , does he have a C.V. that would lead you to believe he’s got some qualification to do his job ? Can he read or write ? There must be some sort of paper on him and that would/should be public record, right? Don’t let up on him until we get our money back .
Can We Say “Free Pass” for Domenic Procopio by City Officials…
New Rochelle City Officials really know how to take care of their own. They must think that New Rochelle residents are stupid and that we can’t see what’s really going on here. Mayor Noam Bramson and City Manger Charles Strome are actually allowing Domenic Procopio, Chairman of the New Rochelle Civil Service Committee, a “Free Pass”. This is beyond ridiculous. This just goes to show how corrupt New Rochelle City Officials really are. Not only are they allowing Dominic Procopio a “Free Pass” and not having him pay back taxes for more then 10+ years on both properties and allowing him to still have STAR Tax Exemptions, but they are still allowing him to hold his position! How is this possible?
It’s possible because Bramson and Strome are involved in this illegal act, just as their actions are portraying. I urge investigators to look at donor contribution lists, you will find Casa Calabria Society. Casa Calabria Society is a Social Club that Domenic Procopio has been running as president for many years. I urge investigators to look into Casa Calabria as well as Domenic Procopio himself.
And now look at Mr. Procopio. He thinks by selling his property the illegal issues at hand will simply disappear. This just goes to show you how uneducated, ignorant and out of touch with reality this man really is. He thinks because of his City connections, that he’s untouchable. Remember this, No One is Untouchable!
Come Election Day 2010, the people will be heard. And the message will be, “We Have Had Enough!” Enough with high taxes that are being used by City Officials and Board of Education Members as their own personal bank account, enough with all the ongoing corruption that has infested City Hall and the Board of Ed., enough watching our schools fail year after year…
In the mean time I urge residents of New Rochelle to contact The New York State Attorney General’s Office and inform them of the mass corruption within our City Government. And should you have details and/or physical proof, please, please call them and tell them. Noam Bramson, Charles Strome and Domenic Procopio are showing signs of illegal dealings and need to be made examples that Local City Officials DO NOT have the right to get away with any illegal actions that have done just because they are City Officals.
New York State Attorney General’s Office: 1-800-771-7755 / (914) 422-8755
Incompetence or Corruption ? Who will protect the citizens ?
Either way you slice it , the taxpayer loses . We’re so used to hearing money refered to in units of billions these days perhaps the mere thousands of dollars in this case seems a pittance . That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be recovered . It may not seem like a lot by itself but like the old saying goes , take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves . Isn’t it the responsibility of this administration to manage the city’s business ? When questioned , they send out the resident schill communications director to deflect and provide plausible deniability . None of which had anything to do with the original questioning . Audacity , gaul , arrogance are just a few words that could be printed to categorize the administrations attempt to protect one of their own . I actually heard Procopio is still going to receive his exemption for the upcoming year . Could that be true ? Why wouldn’t we expect restitution ? At the very least , shouldn’t Mr Procopio have to reapply for ANY STAR exemption ? Maybe it’s the fund raising dinner for the Mayor thrown by the casa calabria society that gives him a free pass . Or maybe he should get a break ’cause he couldn’t read his tax bill . If that were the case , it would explain how the mess was created , but it still needs to be addressed . Hopefully that’s not the situation because I just can’t believe the city would have an illiterate Commissioner . There are possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars owed to the city , between improper STAR exemptions and building permit issues and to think the administration would rather spend it’s energy to “dig in ” and cover up is sad . Wait until you hear the upcoming budget news , that might explain why Mr Procopio is selling his home .