Fraud Complaints
New York State Board of Elections
40 Steuben Street
Albany, N.Y. 122907-2108

December 3, 2007

Re: Complaint regarding a conspiracy to hinder the Town of Ramapo Board election on November 6th, 2007.

New York State Board of Elections,

I am chairman of Preserve Ramapo, a grassroots organization that is challenging the town of Ramapo’s corrupt political machine. Our concerns and activities are documented on our website www.PreserveRamapo.org.

Over the last three local elections, and as our influence in Ramapo has increased our well entrenched opponents have resorted to ever more vicious slander, libel, and dirty tricks. Their tactics culminated just after midnight on election eve when we believe Christopher St. Lawrence, our town supervisor, sent his goons out in vehicles filled with several hundred fraudulent election signs.

This was not just a stupid stunt. These signs cost about $8 a piece and were distributed throughout the areas where we have the greatest concentration of supporters. These signs which were 2 feet by 4 feet were the same size as our candidate signs. They used the same colors, layouts and fonts as our own signs. Many of them were erected just below our own candidate signs and told our supporters to vote for us on "Row A." Preserve Ramapo was on the ballot on Row G!

This complaint is made specifically against Schmuel Orliansky, and Naftalie Lipshitz, who were caught placing the signs according to the two enclosed police reports. It is made specifically against Jacob Wagshal who admitted to both police officers that the signs were being distributed at the request of Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence and were intended to fool Preserve Ramapo supporters. It is made specifically against Ramapo Supervisor St. Lawrence, and specifically against Chaim Mair Greenfield who, according to Orliansky supplied the signs.

This conspiracy complaint is also made against persons unknown who helped plan and pay for this illegal outrage.

Our sign crews and people close to Preserve Ramapo removed about 150 of these signs before the polls opened and saved them as evidence. More of these signs were removed by our supporters early in the day.

Enclosed with this letter is a more detailed six page account of what happened early in the morning of November 6th. It includes photographs of the fraudulent signs and their careful placement. It is based primary on ten pages of police reports filed by Ramapo police officers Brian Whitmore and Paolucci that are also enclosed. This detailed account also discusses relevant election law.

Briefly, the relevant election law is as follows:

According to 6201.1 Fair Election Code: "No person shall directly or indirectly commit (b) political practices involving subversion or undermining of political parties or the electoral process including, but not limited to, the preparation or distribution of any fraudulent, forged or falsely identifying writing or the use of any employees or agents who falsely represent themselves as supporters of a candidate, political party or committee."

And Part (d) of the law which prohibits: "any acts intended to hinder or prevent any eligible person from registering, enrolling or voting."

And lastly Article 17 of the State election Law Violations of the elective franchise: This article adds the dimension of conspiracy to promote or prevent election of a person to a public office by unlawful means by two or more persons.

Shortly we will amend this complaint to include the unknown persons who planned, paid for, and distributed the libelous signs, libelous flyers, and libelous mass mailings that were distributed in the weeks before the election.

Unfortunately, these conspirators were not caught "red handed." We hope, however, that your investigations will assist us in the identification of these conspirators.