Eastchester REVIEW THE
February 21, 2020 | Vol. 7, Number 58 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Defendants’ motion denied in IHM sex abuse case By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor
Fighting crime Westchester County police unveiled new technology today that enables it to lift latent prints from a broad range of materials that previously yielded little to no useable fingerprint evidence. For more, see page 6.
County Consumer Protection Dept. gears up for Census In conjunction with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the County’s Consumer Protection Department is gearing up to prevent potential scams targeting Westchester residents during the completion of Census 2020. County Executive George Latimer said: “An accurate 2020 Census count is vital to Westchester County. All hyperbole aside, an inaccurate count could cost the County millions of dollars. Because of this, we must ensure we do all we can to protect citizens from scams that look to detract from the very serious and important work ahead.” Some examples of telltale signs of a scam, according to 2020Cen-
sus.gov, are centered on questions that will not be asked by the Census Bureau. During the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will NEVER ask for: • Your Social Security number; • Money or donations; • Anything on behalf of a political party; or • Your bank or credit card account numbers. If someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau contacts you via email or phone and asks you for one of these things, it’s a scam, and you should not cooperate. Consumer Protection Director Jim Maisano said: “We see evidence each day that scammers are everywhere and look to take
advantage of any opportunity to steal your hard earned money or identity. That is why, with our County Police, our department is diligently watching for any Census 2020 related scams. If you see anything that may be of concern, contact us – we are here to protect you. We will be providing regular updates about any census scams on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Additionally, below is a list of other things that folks should never provide, as this information will NEVER be requested by the Census Bureau: • Taxpayer identification numbers; • Gift cards; • Identification;
• Passwords; and • To enter your home Department of Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gleason said: “Westchester County Police have shared information with all our municipal police partners about potential scams related to the 2020 Census. The County’s law enforcement community will work together to identify and investigate any fraudulent activity that might occur.” If you have you seen or heard something about the 2020 Census that is confusing, let our Consumer Protection Department know by calling (914) 995-2155. You can also let the Census Bureau know by contacting rumors@census.gov. (Submitted)
A Feb. 14 ruling by the Supreme Court of New York has paved the way for the deposition of Edwin “Ted” Gaynor, a former teacher at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Scarsdale who has been accused of multiple accounts of sexual assault. Gaynor’s upcoming testimony could prove illuminating in a lawsuit filed under the Child Victims Act that also names IHM and the Archdiocese of New York as defendants. On Friday, Feb. 14, New York Supreme Court Associate Justice Hon. Steven M. Jaeger denied motions filed by both the Archdiocese and IHM that sought to quash Gaynor’s testimony on the basis of the defendant’s competency, writing that “[t]he Court finds that the record before fails to reveal any competent evidence indicating that Gaynor is incapable of adequately prosecuting or defending his rights. The fact that his statements are not in the interests of the co-Defendants is not proof that he cannot understand these proceedings and adequately defend his own interests.” The ruling stated that the deposition of Gaynor, 84, is to be held no later than March 27 in White Plains. Since November of 2019, 13 plaintiffs have come forward to accuse Gaynor of sexually abusing minors in a time period that stretched from the 1959 to 1986. The Archdiocese of New York and IHM—where Gaynor was employed as a physical education teacher and a coach—are named in the suit for failing to address allegations against the teacher and allowing the abuse to continue. Gaynor was originally scheduled to give testimony on Jan. 30, but motions filed on Jan. 27, by attorneys representing IHM and the Archdiocese of New York led
to a temporary stay, as the two other defendants asked the courts for a hearing to determine Gaynor’s competency to adequately defend his rights. Oral arguments regarding the need for a competency hearing were held on Feb. 6 in Mineola, New York. The defendant’s poor health and mental acuity were among the issues at hand, as were a number of handwritten letters Gaynor has sent since the original lawsuit was filed in November. Gaynor, who does not have legal representation, admitted to sexually abusing two of the accusers in several communiqués he mailed to the law offices of Lowey Dannenberg P.C., the firm representing the plaintiffs, in December 2019. But he has denied several other allegations in a Jan. 26 letter. Attorneys for the Archdiocese argued that the letters sent by Gaynor over the last three months—many of which included references to the defendant’s poor health—were “definitive evidence that Gaynor is likely incompetent to testify.” Jaeger’s ruling disagreed with the defendants’ characterization of these letters, however. “The Court’s review of the contents of all the letters from Gaynor to the Court and Plaintiff’s counsel, on the other hand, supports a finding that Gaynor understands the nature of these proceedings and the claims made against him,” the ruling stated. “Significantly, he exhibits recollection of the facts from over 50 years ago such that he corrects the alleged dates of the sexual abuse and differentiates between the various plaintiffs as to those that he expressly admits molesting and others with whom he expressly denies having any improper contact.” No date has been set for Gaynor’s deposition. CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com